The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1868-05-02

z F a., From Europe. a''
AT length there is something like definite IS
well as Qor England) cheering intelligence iron,
the seat of war in Africa. Some tive weeks
ago, the dispatches to March Goth from the
Abyssinian expedition announced the arrival
of the British advance in the neighborhood Of
Magdala, the capital Of the country, and that
Is sson as the main army came up, dash
would be ordered upon the enemy's works.
Dispatches to April 18th announced that an
assault had been made, but the result was not
known, But dispatches to April 10Th brought
full and definite intelligence. Abattle was
fought on Good Friday (April 1Oth) before
Magdala, in which " the colored troops fought
bravely,' but were defeated by the Britishers,
and compelled to retreat into the town. In
this engagement the British loss was Is
wounded, none killed; the Abyssinian loss SO
killed, 200 wounded. During the next two
days there seems to have been . sort of truce.
during which the King agreed to give up all
the European captives, but refused to surren-
der himself Gen. Napier gave him "a hours
to decide, at the end Of which an assault was
ordered on the town. The most formidable
position, called Chilasse, was, treacherously
surrendered by some of the chiefs, and many
Thousands laid down their arms. The main
citidal, to which the King had retired, was
defended by 20 guns. When Napier cane in
sight the King opened on him with his guns
The English replied with 10 pound Arm
strong gun, a FOUNDER and with rockets. The
King abandoned his guns, and barbados, and
sallyports, and kept up . fire Of musketry. A
bombardment by the British of 8 hours follow
ed, when Napier ordered an advance, and the
town was carried by assault. The King was
found dead, shot through the head. His two
sons were taken prisoners. All the European
prisoners were found alive and well, and were
set free. The interior Of the Kings strong
hold presented an extraordinary scene Of bar
barrie splendor. The troops plundered the
place, finding, among other things, four royal
crowns of gold and $4,000 in silver. The
British loss, in both engagements, was but
half a dozen killed and 90 or 80 wounded.
IA 900 native troops laid down their arms, 400
were killed and 1900 wounded Upon the
whole, the result was hardly creditable to the
bravery of the colored troops. Gen. Napier
had with him less than 10000 men, and these,
instead of being true Britishers, were mostly
made up Of sepoys and the riff.roff from
India. The trained veterans Of King Theodore
must have numbered $4,000 to 100000 who
had the additional advantage of fighting he.
hind strong defences. The principal merit Of
the African troops seems to have been their
readiness to surrender, if not with neatnes. at
least with despatch.
There is other news from England Of inter-
est. April Gath, startling news reached Eng.
land from Australia. Prince Alfred, who wa,
visiting Sydney, was shot and dangerously
wounded, by person at the time unknown,
but who was subsequently ascertained to be
man named Farrell, alleged to be Fenian
who was promptly arrested, put upon trial
and tive days afterwards sentenced to be
hung. The Princes wound, though severe
and painful, w& not fatal-tor he is slowly
recovering, and at last accounts had got
along so we'll that he had set sail for home.
This news naturally created profound sensa-
ton in England
On the Goth of April commenced the trial
of Desmond, English, OKeefc, Barrel, and
Ann Justice, on the charge Of causing the
Clerkenwell explosion. Two others arrested
on the same charge were let off on turning
queens evidence. These were Mullaney and
Vaughn. The trial lasted week. and resul.
ted in the conviction Of Barrel and the ac-
quittal Of all the rest.
After the close Of the trial, on the 2Sth,
commenced the trial of Burke, Casey, and
Shaw, for being concerned in the Fcnian
attack on Chester Castle. Their trial result
ted in the conviction Of Burke and Casey.
The Prince and Princess OF, Wales, after
being received with great promp and toasted
for week in and around Dublin, returned on
the gath, to England. 4,
April god, all London was suddenly thrown
into the greatest excitement by the report
that two bloody Fcnians had been arrested at
late hour the night before near the servants
door of Buckingham Palace, carrying ham
per Of Greek fire, their evident purpose being
to destroy the Palace. They were at once
arruxtcd a,d their n.,uc. found m lac Rnrrv