THE STORMING OF MAGDALA.
1868.
After the day of slaughter at Arogee, Sir Robert Napier hesitated.
The safety of the captives was ever in his mind. Upon his forbearance
depended their lives, and the signal success of the campaign. A
perceptible movement upon Magdala might have deprived the desperate
Theodore of every ray of hope, and have caused him to order the
immediate slaughter of the captives. And so Sir Robert Napier decided
to ask Theodore to surrender. His messengers were actually on their way
to the Emperor with a peremptory demand to this effect when they met
two strangers, who turned out to belong to the band of captives. The
whole party thereupon returned to the British camp. On arrival, one of
the captives who had been sent as a messenger by Theodore spoke to Sir
Robert.
“I have been sent down to you, Sir Robert, by the Emperor, to ask why
it is you have come to this country, what it is you want, and whether
you will return to your own country if the captives are released?”
Sir Robert’s reply, which he asked the two messengers to convey to
Theodore, was explicit in the extreme. “Tell him from me,” said Sir
Robert, “that I require an instant surrender of the prisoners, with
their property, of himself, with the fortresses of Selasse and Fahla,
Magdala and all therein. He may rest assured that honourable treatment
will be accorded him.”
The captives fulfilled their mission. Theodore was furious, and again
he sent them down to the British General with a petition for better
terms, “as he was a king, and could not surrender himself to any chief
who served a woman. Rather than surrender,” he added, “I will fight to
the death. Can you not be satisfied with the possession of those you
came for, and leave me alone in peace?”
They were sent back by Napier with the message:--“You must surrender
yourself unconditionally to the Queen of Britain. Be assured that
honourable treatment will be accorded you.”
It was then that Rassam, another of the captives, did a very diplomatic
thing. He asked the king to repose his trust in him, let the captives
go free to the camp, and he guaranteed that the British chief would
return to his own country. The king believed in Rassam. He trusted to
his influence to reconcile him with the commander-in-chief, and gave
him orders to assemble immediately all the European captives, with
their property, at the Thafurbate gate of the fortress.
The parting scene was a strange one. Theodore addressed each and all
of the captives in an affectionate manner, wishing some of them well,
and asking others to forgive him for what he had done to them. As
soon as news of their release reached the army, the soldiers hurried
to headquarters by hundreds to await their arrival, and eager crowds
greeted them. Sixty-one in number, they looked to be in good condition,
and were objects of great interest to all.
On Easter Sunday 1000 beeves and 500 sheep were sent by Theodore to Sir
Robert Napier, with the hope that the British soldiers would eat their
fill and be merry. But Sir Robert was not to be caught napping. He sent
an officer up to Magdala to say that he couldn’t think of accepting
anything from his majesty until himself, his family, and his fortresses
were surrendered to the Queen of Britain.
Meanwhile, preparations had been proceeding for taking Magdala by
storm. Escalading ladders were made out of dhoolie poles; powder
charges, hand grenades, etc. were also made ready for use. The
elephants brought up the Armstrong battery to the camp, and, in short,
everything was ready for a grand assault, which was expected to take
place at noon the following day.
On the morning of Easter Monday, April 13, 1868, there arrived at the
British camp eight Abyssinians, richly apparelled. One look sufficed to
show that they were chiefs of high degree. Ushered into the presence of
the commander-in-chief they stated that they came down to offer Fahla
and Selasse on condition that they were allowed to depart unmolested.
Their conditions were promptly accepted. They were then questioned as
to the whereabouts of Theodore. Their answer was a profound surprise to
the British general. They said they expected that the king had either
gone to Gojam or to the camp of the Galla Queen Mastevat. Who would
have dreamt that the king would have left his fortress? Still, the fact
was apparently indisputable, and Napier promptly adopted means for the
capture of the missing monarch.
He at once offered a reward of 50,000 dollars for Theodore, dead or
alive, and messengers with this announcement were at once despatched
to all the neighbouring camps. Next Sir Robert resolved to occupy
Fahla and Selasse, and to move upon Magdala. Regiments in columns of
fours proceeded to Fahla Plain. First came the Duke of Wellington’s
Own--a regiment destined to play an important part in the forthcoming
last act of the Abyssinian campaign. The road was steep and difficult
to negotiate, but the troops, in toiling on, passed enormous boulders
until they found themselves full under the noonday sun, on the crest of
the gorge between Fahla and Selasse.
On arrival at the heights, six companies of the 33rd Foot advanced with
bayonets fixed, driving the natives before them out of the fortress.
The chiefs were assured that their people would not be harmed, but that
they must leave at once for the plain. As the natives emerged from
the pass they were disarmed. When they reached the terraced ridge,
where the army was halted, they drew back in fear, but they were soon
reassured. Men, women and children were eager to greet the soldiers,
for the chiefs had assured them that these were their best friends.
While this strange scene was being witnessed, Colonel Loch and Captain
Speedy were manœuvring at the extremity of Selasse, on the road which
encircled the fortress and thence led to Magdala. Looking up to the
heights the British officers saw a number of men careering about on
the plateau which connected Selasse with Magdala. It was ascertained
that they belonged to the enemy, and their dress indicated that they
were chiefs. When these men saw the cavalry advancing round the corner
at Selasse they retired slowly and in good order to Magdala, firing as
they went.
As the British proceeded, the officers soon discovered the meaning of
the presence of the Abyssinians. They had been attempting to secure a
number of cannon and mortars lying at the Selasse end of the plateau.
The cannon were at once seized by our men, and were found to be mostly
of French and British manufacture.
After retiring as far as the foot of Magdala, a few of the Abyssinians
made a pretence of preparing to charge, but apparently hesitated. Along
the brow of the famous fortress many dark heads could be seen, and now
and then shots awoke the echoes. Suddenly the Abyssinians who were
first noticed made a dash towards Captain Speedy and the artillery,
which accompanied him. After coming within three hundred yards the
natives halted, and judge of the surprise of the British officers when
they discovered that the foremost among the company of horsemen was no
other than Theodore, king of Abyssinia!
Such a discovery was of course highly satisfactory to the British, who
had been somewhat downcast at the report of the king’s escape.
As showing the reckless courage of the king, it is said that his words
of greeting to the British were, “Come on! Are ye women, that ye
hesitate to attack a few warriors?”
As Theodore and his followers showed a disposition to advance, some
soldiers of the 33rd were ordered to take up a position commanding all
paths leading to the valleys on all sides of the plateau. A company of
the 33rd, who had eagerly ascended Selasse for the purpose of planting
their colours on its rampart, were also invited to aid in the defence
of the captured artillery.
A few shells were now sent whizzing amongst the Abyssinians, who had
by this time commenced a desultory firing. Very soon, growing alarmed
at the work of our artillery, the Abyssinians retired for shelter
behind some wooden booths. A few more shells, however, soon dislodged
Theodore and his men from their hiding places, and they beat a rapid
retreat towards Magdala. Still they had not finished, and continued to
fire at all who came within reach of their mountain stronghold. Their
persistent firing ultimately lured a detachment of the 33rd Foot into
action, but without marked effect, and shortly after this orders came
from Sir Charles Staveley to cease firing. At the same time the British
flag was hoisted above Selasse and Fahla. Only Magdala now remained.
Describing the stronghold, one of the correspondents present
says:--“Suppose a platform of rock, oval in shape, and a mile and a
half in length, and from a half to three-quarters of a mile in width,
rising five hundred feet perpendicularly about a narrow plateau,
which connected its northern end with Selasse. The rock was Magdala,
the plateau Islamgee. On the western and southern sides Magdala
towered above the valley of the Melkaschillo some two thousand
feet. The eastern side rose in three terraces of about 600 feet in
height, one above another. Its whole summit was covered with houses,
straw-thatched, and of a conical shape. The extreme brow of the
fortress was defended by a stone wall, on the top of which a hurdle
revetment was planted. But the side fronting Islamgee was defended by a
lower wall and revetment constructed nearly half way up the slope. In
the centre of the revetment was a barbican, up to which led the only
available road to the fortress.”
Fahla and Selasse having been left in the hands of sufficient
garrisons, the remainder of the British troops were withdrawn to
Islamgee, where they were halted behind the captured artillery. Sir
Robert Napier had been at great pains to ascertain the strength of the
fortress. One thing he had made sure of, that at only one point was
it assailable, and that was the side which fronted the troops as they
stood upon Islamgee.
Then Napier distributed his force in preparation for the attack.
Soon twenty guns were thundering at the gates. Theodore could not
misunderstand the meaning of the British now. It was surrender or death
for him and his followers.
The bombardment lasted two hours. At the end of this period Napier had
made up his mind that the defenders were weak, and that the British
troops would suffer very little loss in the assault. He therefore
ordered the Royal Engineers, the 33rd, the 45th, and the King’s Own to
be prepared to carry on the attack. Already the fire from the fortress
had ceased Soon signals for rapid firing were given to the British
artillery, and under the furious cannonade which proceeded, the British
troops began their march along the plateau.
Upon their arrival within fifty yards of the foot of Magdala, the order
was given to the artillery to cease fire. Then the Engineers at once
brought their sniders into play, and for ten minutes they and the 33rd
and 45th rained a storm of leaden pellets upon the defenders.
Theodore and his brave followers had been concealed while the artillery
was at work. Now, however, the king showed himself. Up he sprang,
singing out his war-cry, and with his bodyguard he hastened to the
gates, prepared to give the invaders a fitting welcome. He posted his
men at the loopholes and along the wall, topped with wattled hurdles.
Soon his signal was given, and heavy firing was directed upon the
advancing soldiers, several of whom were wounded. Next the British
fire was concentrated on the barbican, and the revetment, through the
loopholes of which rays of smoke issuing forth betrayed the presence
of the enemy. Slowly the soldiers advanced through the rain which
accompanied the thunderstorm which now raged. For a minute there was
a pause, and then again a dozen bullets hurtled through the advance
guard of the troops, wounding Major Pritchard and several of the
Engineers. Then Major Pritchard and Lieutenant Morgan made a dash upon
the barbican. They found the gate closed, and the inside of the square
completely blocked up with huge stones.
A drummer of the 33rd climbed up the cliff wall. Reaching a ledge, he
ascended another, and shouted to his companions to “Come on!” as he had
found a way. In a short time the intrepid soldiers had passed all the
lower defences, and scattering themselves over the ground they made a
rush for the other defence, 75 feet above them, passing over not a few
ghastly reminders of the battle. There were obstacles in the way, but
they could not stop the excited Irishmen. They leaped forward and fired
volley after volley into the faces of the Abyssinians.
Nor must we forget the charge of Drummer Maguire and Private Bergin
upon Magdala. It is related that the two men were advancing a few
paces from each other to the upper revetment when they saw about a
dozen of the enemy aiming at them. The doughty pair immediately opened
fire, and so quick and well-directed was it that but few of their
assailants escaped. Seeing a host of red-coats advancing upward, the
others retreated precipitately. Over the upper revetment both men made
their way, and at the same time they observed a man standing near a
grass stack with, a revolver in his hand. When he saw them prepare
to fire, he ran behind it, and both men plainly heard the shot fired
which followed. Advancing, they found him prostrate on the ground, in
a dying state, the revolver clutched convulsively in his right hand.
To their minds the revolver was but their proper loot, and, without
any ceremony, they wrenched it from the grasp of the dying man. The
silver plate on the stock, however, arrested their attention, and, on
examining it, they deciphered the following inscription--“Presented by
Victoria, Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, to Theodore, Emperor of
Abyssinia, as a slight token of her gratitude for his kindness to her
servant Plowden, 1854.”
The soldiers were in the presence of the Emperor, and he was dying.
Soon the rest of the troops followed their leaders, and the British
flag was straining from the post which crowned the summit of the
Abyssinian stronghold. Then, while the sound of “God Save the Queen”
rent the once more peaceful air, and the soldiers of the Queen joined
lustily in the triumphant cheers, the once proud Emperor of Abyssinia,
in all the gorgeous trappings of his state, and surrounded by a crowd
of interested spectators, breathed his last in the stronghold where he
had thought to give pause to those he regarded as the enemies of his
kingdom.
Soon after “the Advance” was once more sounded, and the soldiers filed
in column through the narrow streets, the commander-in-chief and staff
following.
When the cost of the assault came to be reckoned, it was found that 17
British had been wounded, though none of them mortally. The Abyssinian
dead were estimated at 60, with double that number of wounded.
On the fourth morning after the fall of Magdala, the Abyssinians, to
the number of 30,000, commenced their march for Dalanta. Every living
soul having left, the gates were blown up, and the houses set on fire.
The flames soon did their work, and nothing escaped.
On the 18th April, 1868, the troops turned their faces northward for
their homeward march, their object fully attained.