Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser. — 1868-05-01 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

ABYSSINIA. CAPTURE OF MAGDALA,  AND DEATH OF THEODORE.  (Telegrams received in London.) No. I.—No date. Probably April 7. Reports having been received from spies to the effect that King Theodore intended moving, Sir Robert Napier instantly crossed the Jiddah River and established his head-quarters on the plains of Talents, twenty miles from Magdala. Many animals were lost whilst crossing a terrib'e ravine eight miles wide, 3,500 feet descent, 4.500 ascent. The troops marched over King Theodore's road, which is thirty feet wide. Sir Robert Napier made a reconnaissance of Magdala this morning. He sighted the King's camp and defences. The fortress appeared to be impregnable. To-morrow we expect to be at the Bashilo, ten miles from Magdala. A. letter has been received from Mr Rassarn, dated yesterday, warning us to beware that Theodore was moving.  No. 2.—Dated Bashilo, April 8. A second reconnaisance was made before Magdala this morning. Theodore has twenty-eight guns mounted outside. Sir Robert Napier has sent him a letter den3and.ng the release of the captives. Meanwhila,, the army is concentrated on the river. Scaling ladders and torpedoes are ready for an attack upon the fortress. No. 3.—Dated April 10. The army is now concentrated before Magdala, in position, six miles from the fortress Theodore's camp is in view on a tremendous height. Attack soon. No. 4.—Dated Magdala, April 13. The truce ended this morning King Theodore had not surrendered. Fallas Selasse Islaoge (?) had surrendered at once without fighting. Theodore had retreated to Magdala He planted five guns at the base of the ascent. When General Napier came in sight the King opened fire. The English replied with twelve-pounder Armstrong guns and seven-pounder rockets. The King left his Runs, barricaded the sallyports, and opened with musketry. He gave no signs of surrendering. The bombardment lasted three hours. An assault was then ordered. The fortress was carried after vigorous resistance. The Abyssinian loss is 68 killed and 200 wounded. The English loss is 15 wormied rank and fi e. Kiog Theodore was found dead, shot in the head. His body was recognised by the Europeans who had been released. Some say he was killed in battle, and others that he committed suicide His two sons have been taken prisoners. The fortress presented many evidences of barbaric splendour. Among the trophies taken are four g •Id crowns, twenty thousand dollars, one thousand silver plates, and many jewels and other article*, five thou. sand stand of arms, twenty-eight pieces of artillery, ten thousand shields, and ten thousand s ears. The European prisoners will depart immediately.  Magdala has been stormed, King Theodore killed in the fray, and the European prisoners released. This, too, has been accomplished with wonderfully little disaster. On the side of the English it is reported that only one officer and fourteen men have been wounded, while the enemy has sustained it serious loss of We— ave hundred soldiers having been killed, and 1,50 wounded. The fighting roust have been desperate, and Theodorehimself must have borne his part courageously It does not appear that the passage of the Bashilo has been contested, which it was supposed would be the case. Theodore had elected to oppose the invading force on ground that he had carefully chosen. The difTtrence in the number of the wounded on the two sides is to be accounted for, in some degree, by the disproportion in the coality of the fire-arms of the two armies. The three months' provisions which have fallen into the hands of Sir Robert Napier will prove serviceable; and the army will commence its return march upon the sea board with all despatch. If, as is asserted, though by no means with unanimity on the part of those who pretend to authority, the rainy season does not set in before the beginning of June, ample time remains for every soldier to (pit the country before that time. The cavils of the Times must now entirely cease; for a greater amount of success could not have been hoped for by even the most sanguine friend of the expedition. Sir Robert Napier has added another laurel to the chaplet he has already woven for himself, and fully justified his appointment by the Government.