New Orleans Republican., 1868-01-26
ARYRsINIk.

and the forces of her despised but now re-
vengeful lover, King Theodore. The last
detailed advices from Abyssinia are up to
the 18th OF December, although the tele-
graph has given us intelligence of later
date. At this time the advance of the British
army was at Sanale, fifty miles from the
coast, where it was awaiting the arrival
from India of the commander Of the eXpe-
dition, Sir Robert Napier. Later advices
state that he had arrived at the coast, and
had at once proceeded to " the front" SO
that an advance has by this time probably
taken place. The British base of opera
tions is little town called zulla, on An
nesley bay. Annesley bay is an inlet ol
the Red sea, and runs up for about thirty
miles toward the highlands of Abyssinia;
and Zulla is about halfway up the bay, on
its west side.
The British army, conveyed in transports
from India, were landed here, and estab-
lished temporary camp. Bat the heat on
the coast is oppressive and deadly, fresh
water was very scarce, the transport cattle
began to die, and basiy forward move
ment to the more salubrious highlands be-
came indispensable, without waiting for the
arrival of the commander-in-chief. Now in
this portion of the country there are no
roads, nor is it possible to make any. Ger
tain streams run from the distant mount
aims down to the sea, three of which empty
into the sea near Zulla. Ia the rainy sea-
son these streams are raging torrents; in the
dry season, which Is the present one, they
are parched up, and the water disappears,
leaving only the dry bed and the banks of
the streams. These then become the roads
through which alone it is possible to pass
from the coast into the interior. One OF
these three rivers, the Haddis, was selected
for the route of the British army.
In some places for miles together the dry
track wound its way through narrow
channel, shut in by walls Of PERCEPTIONS
rock. 1t led them TO Sanafe, point fifty
miles from the coast, and upon the elevated
plateau which lies in front of the mountain.
A column OF sixteen hundred men under
Colonel Merewether had arrived there; the
remainder of the force was slowly toiling
forward to join them. Through this pas
sage communication with the sea must be
kept open, or else the army will be cut off
from its supplies. The danger is that the
rainy season may come on before the cam
paign is completed, and in this case the
situation of the army will be very peril
Gus one.
The object of the expedition is now to
march to Magdala, a strongly fortified city
two hundred miles from Sanafe, and held
by garrison of King Theodoreis army.
The major part of the English captiyes, for
whose release the expedition has been sent,
are in confinement there. The king him
self at the time of the landing of the expe-
dition was at Debru Tabor, which is the
ancient Mount Tabor, where he had around |
him the bulk of his army.
The regular army Of Abyssinia consists
Of sixty battalions of men. The nominal
strength Of one Of these battalions is 1000
men but in fact each consists of about $50 |
soldiers armed with rifles, $50 armed with
bows and spears, and 500 followers. serv-
ants, and women. This is the standing
army Of the king, always kept in the field
ready for instant service, well disciplined,
and of great bravery. Ia addition to this
here Is an irregular force, only called upon
On occasions Of emergency, ike the present
ons.
Ia Abyssinia there are number Of great
shiefs, each Of whom has vast retinue Of
dependents. These chiefs owe feudal al
egiance to the king, and ia time of war he
,alls them to his aid. The irregular force
hat they can bring into the field numbers
100000 men, who are only armed with
pears and bows. But seme of these dig
itaries are now in rebellion against Theo-
ore; and instead Of coming to his assist
uUe, nave s1ut lsasssrlgs65 10 the British | /,
commander, protesting their willingness to
ght against their sovereign. Nevertheless,
nth bis regular army, and the volunteers
ihom the chiefs who yet remain loyal to
i'm can furnish, Theodore was able to
Ike the field with something over lOO, 600 ,
len, Of whom 5000 were armed with Gre
rms. At the head Of this force, and with !
n immense baggage and supply train, i
e set out from Debru Tabor for Magdala,
king with him some Of the European cap
yes who were with him at the former \
lace.
The distance from Debru Tabor is one
undred miles, so that it is probable be can
each that post before the British can set !
own before It, Notwithstanding his way
I'D shrongha region partly held by the Z
isurgent troops. Magdala is southeast of
ebru Tabor, and northwest from Senate. !
, that the invaders are marching toward
e king, while the king is hasseniag 70. : :,
ard the invaders. Magdala IS very strong
fortified, and its defenses are Of such ! F"
Iture that they can not wsll be carried by
sault. Nevertheless Il was believed that
aeodore you'd not remain thera Il he az. :
ved before the British, bus. taking with
70 all che captives, would retreat 10 bis !.
ativs province Of zwara, where to follow I
n would BE- work ofextraOrdinary peril
"a hardship.
AZ home, The hngliah people are growl- !,
3 horribly about lhe war. They see