The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-06-09

within reach Of your enemy, though with scanty
food. and some Of you for many hours without
either food or water, in four days ;;ou pass
ed the formidable chasm OF IN; Bashilo,
and defeated the army of Theodorus, whie b
poured down upon you from their LOFTY
host of many thousands have laid down their
arms at your feet. You have captured and de-
stroyed upwards Of thirty pieces OF artillery,
many of great weight and efficiency, with am
pie stores of ammunition. You have stormed
the almost inaccessible Fortress OF Magdala,
defended by Theodorus with the desperate
remnant of his chiefs and followers. After you
forced the entrance, Theodorus, who never
showed mercy, distrusted the offer Of mercy
held out to him, and died by his own hand.
You have released not only the British captives,
but those OF other friendly nations. You have
unloosed the chains of more than ninety Of the
principal chiefs Of Abyssinia. Magdala, on
which so many victims have been slaughtered,
has been committed to the flames, and remains
only scorched rock. Our complete and rapid
success is due, first, to the mercy of God, whose
hand, feel assured, has been over US in just
cause. Secondly, to the high spirit with which
YOU have been inspired. Indian soldiers have
forgotten the prejudices Of race and creed to
keep pace with their European comrades.
Never has an army entered on a war with more
honorable feelings than yours; this has carried
you have been only eager for the moment when
you could close with your enemy. The re-
membrance of your privations will pass away
quickly, but your gallant exploit will live in
history. The Queen and the people Of En- gland
will appreciate your services. On my part, as
your commander i thank you for your devo-
tion to your duty and the good discipline you
have maintained. Nota single complaint has
been made against soldier Of fields injured or
villagers wilfully molested in person or prop
ty. We must not forget what is due to our
comrades who have been laboring for us in the
sultry climate ofZoola and the pass Of Koo-
maylee, or in the monotony of the posts which
have maintained our communication. Each
and all would have given all they possessed to
be with us. But they deserve our gratitude. I
shall watch over your safety to the moment Of
your re-embarkation, and to the end of my
life remember with pride that. have COM
manded you. K. NAPIER,
Lieutenant-Gen' raj, Commander-in-Chief.
Camp Delsulo, April 20, 1868.
The following is a description Of the destruc-
ton of Magdala:
Two days after orders we're given that the
fortress should be destroyed and burned, and
to the Royal Engineers, under the direction of
Capt. Goodfellow, the task was assigned. Be-
fore they commenced on the work OF destruc-
ton your correspondent rode up to take final
look at the chamber OF horrors, the palaces,
the harems, the treasure houses, the church,
and other scenes Of interest within. At three
o'clock P. II. on the 18th inst, the Thofusbun
gate, commanding the southern approach, was
blown up, and as the engineers retreated north
ward each house waa set on fire. A strong
easterly wind set in, which aided the efforts
ut destruction, and soon all Magdala was
in flames. Three thousand houses were burn
ing, shells we're bursting, magazines, load
ed guns and pistols exploded, and projectiles
flew in every direction. 1t was a perfect
sea Of fire set in the heavens; the flames rolled
in crimson waves far over the cliffs; ;Rburn-
ing rafters like fiery swords we're swept over
the heights into the awful abyss below, setting
fire to the brushwood on the slopes, with every
green thing, even Tar down into the valley.
There was trail Of fire seen fastening to-
ward Suluigini, each straw tent adding fuel
and extending the awful world of fire on to
Sulasse, Falle and the Arogie valley. The
sheep that browsed on the hills, the dogs that
still fingered on the threshold Of their masters
dwellings,, the chickens about going to roost,
were all consumed by the fiery waves that
swept over tho heights. The stencil from the
holocaust was frightful. Over five hundred
human bodies must have been consumed by
the surging mass Of fire, which destroyed Mag
dala and the neighboring villages. Even the
church wherein Theodorus was buried, which
General Napier had hoped to save, was also
destroyed by the devouring element. The
Gallas and the people of Shoa hastened to the
edge Of the opposite plateau to witness the
swift destruction which had overtaken the
Aimba and its garrison, that had 30 long de6ed
and held them at bay.