Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-05-01
The English Success in Abyssinia.

After all the dissertations upon the i'm
practicability Of successful result of the
English expedition to Abyssinia, it has
been accomplished, the stronghold, OF Mag
dala taken, the captives released and Theo-
dorus killed. The London Times and
other martial journals, which have been
criticising the slowness of Napier's move
ments, will perhaps be inclined hereafter
to "leave military matters to military
men," With such results as the above the
most grumbling taxpayer will acknowledge
that Napier has given him the worth of his
money. The obstacles which had to be
menced were very great. The march of
the army was often on narrow and tortuOus
paths, along the beds of torrents, and
sometimes on the sides of the lower part of
mountains. The sappers and miners were
at times three days ahead, clearing a road
along precipices of rock like petrifed gla-
ciers. The numbers engaged in the late
contest there are no means as yet OF know
ing but a correspondent of a New York
paper, travelling with the English army,
wrote on March 9th that Sir Robert Napier
said that the enemy numbered 1000, all
told, and Brigadier General Merriwether
estimated them at Is, 900, both Of which
the travelling civilian considered much be
meath the mark, and was evidently of
opinion that Sir Robert would soon have
reason to repent his rashness That Gen
eral has added new laurels to a name re-
nowned in the Indian, naval and diplo-
matte service of England. The whole ex-
peditionary force with which he set out
from India was 30, 900 BritoDs and Sepoy
allies and this one battle doubtless ends
the war, indicating that much that has been
said concerning the resources and fighting
qualities of the Abyssinians is apocryphal.
The dead king Theodorus, however, was
a man of mark, of enterprise and bravery.
He was usurper, having overthrow the
former Mohammedan "King John, 4"
against whom he commenced to war by
the aid of some tribes that he gained to
his side, as far back as 1850. but it was not
till number of years after that he finally
overthrow John. Meantime Theodorus
had INDUCED the idea of even greater
things than this, having twice invaded the
Egyptian Seudan, IN which enterprise lie
at last Intellectually sought the aid of the
governments of England and France, with
the view of re-establishing the ancient
Ethiopian empire, but though he gained
victories, was unable to hold the country.
treaty made before his accession, favoring
the empire, and disregarded it SO as to
plumber the British and other European
residents, and finally Mr.. Plowden, the
British Consul who negotiated the treaty,
was killed by . predatory band. This
Theodorus pretended to punish his sub
jects for by slaughtering number of them,
and Mr.. Cameron was appointed as the
consul's successor; but he was maltreated,
and finally all the English missionaries al
SO imprisoned. All negotiations for their
release failing, the war ensued. and the re-
suit is that British supremacy is establish
ed in Abyssnia. The London Spectator,
months ago, gave out that England would
hold what Napier would win The king
dom of Abyssinia is, therefore, probably as
dead as Theodorus, and the land will be-
come, as India, dependent of the extern
ded British empire. It is stated that the
dead Theodorus was forty seven years old,
was of average stature, imposing presence,
and of an irregular but not unimpressive
physiognomy. His habits were those of
an astute demagogue. It is represented
that at court he revelled in luxury and
show. In the field he affected simplicity,
as we'll of dress as of diet.
Baltimore Sun.