The New York herald., 1868-05-09
SNIAA

The authorities at the War Once and India House
have received ofncial advices from Major General
Sir Robert Napier, commanding the army in Abys-
sina dated at Talanta the 2lst Of April in which
he reports the operations and movements troops
undertaken subsequent to the capture Of MagdaIa
and the death Of King Theodorus.
When the Queens forces took possession of the
fortress and works at Magdala they Immediately de-
stroyed over thirty large guns with some few NOR
tars, which had been used in defence Of the place
or to impede the English advance
The gates and loopholed bastions were mined and
blown up with gunpowder.
The town proper, and the more interior fortified
dwelling in the place, including the royal palace,
burned.
The church was spared.
The work Of the razzta was completed on the 18th
of April
The widow Of the late King Theodorus and her
son. heretofore heir apparent Of the Abyssnian throne
were protected by General Napier and escorted from
his camp to the Tigre country.
Having discharged his duty and accomplished his
errand Of liberation for the capves in the most COM
If on parade, the command "'Bout face; march p
given and the British troops left Magdala the
18th Of April their route in return to the Red Sea
coast. .,-..,. -.s..
Napier hoped to reach Zoulla by the last days OF
May, from which point the road Is comparatively
easy to Senate and Annesley bay.
The wounded men were doing well-most Of them
convalescent-and the army trains kept well up.
Tho Herald's Special Reports-Theodorus'
Funernl-A New Dynasty.
QUEENS HOTEL. LONDON, May s-Noon.
Thespecial correspondent Of the HERALD. attached
to General Napier's expedition in Abyssinia, fur
nishes interesting dispatches. dated at Magdala on
the 10th Of April. nr
The deceased King Theodorus was buried In the
church at Magdala, Official respect being shown to
his remains
The young Prince Theodorus, his son, will be con-
veyed to England and educated there.
Gobbazze the friendly chief, who aided the Queens
army in its march through Tigre, win be duly
crowned king Of Abyssinia, thus introducing new
dynasty. n eu u'
Napier's army was to march for India and home
within two days from the date Of the HERALD's
special report.
Details of the Fighting-Crand Advance Of
Native warriors-(snllant Charge ON the
British Batteries-severc Repulse and
Flag Of Truce-Napier's Terms-The King
in His Last Extremity.
QUEENS HOTEL, LONDON, May s-P. M.
Three other special dispatches from the HERALD's
correspondent with Napier's army have Just come to
hand They are dated the 10th, 1lth and 18th Of
April but have been delayed two weeks in the trans
MISSION owing, is to be presumed, to the confusion
war which prevailed at the different points Of recep
ton and repetition along the route.
The reports convey very graphic picture Of the
great battle which took place between the British
and Abyssinians on the 10th Of Aprl-Good Friday
previous to the storming OF Magdala.
As soon as the English advance came in view the
Abyssinian enemy stood forth in grand array as II
in response to the sight.
Theodorus opened at once with his mortars on
Napier. The British replied with the same description
Of gun The nre from the defences having endured
for short time three thousand five hundred war,
riors setting up loud shouts Of Joy and revenge and
chanting national songs Of triumph dashed with
great ardor down the steep hill from the palace
fortress and charged the British light batteries
ga ilantly.
Napier's men stood firm and the Abyssinians were
repuIsed having seven hundred warriors including
two prominent chiefs, killed during the engagement
The tactics OF meodorus' onncers were judicious
and the courage displayed by his soldiers excellent
Aware Of his heavy loss Theodorus forwarded .
nag Of truce to General Napier's headquarters
nquiring on what terms the English would negotiate
| apeace.
General Napier replied that speaking in the name
unconditional surrender.
Theodorus, through his envoy, Immediately said he
would never accept such arbitrary gyms as that,
,.sss .. :. eve. s. .ns hi, present defeat he to
In conclusion the King requested Gel tal Napier
to take the British captives, whom he build hand
over to him, and "go away henoen whe they had
been all released.
The King refused positively . surreEygD FOR him.
SELF and the conference was broken on.
Magdala was, consequently, "stormedn by the
English few days afterwards
During the latest moments Of the lighting after the
British assault and when driven to his latest stand
point Theodorus attempted suicide on three separate
occasions.
He was rendered perfectly furious by his defeats
The released captives say that they saw three
hundred native prisoners killed by the Kings order