THB ABYSSINIAN EXPEDITION.

Southland Times, Issue 959, 29 May 1868, Page 3

THB ABYSSINIAN EXPEDITION.

(From the " Times of India," March 23.) By the arrival of the Sultan from Annesley Bay, we have letters from the Abyssinian Eield Eorce up to the 3rd inst. Whatever one's sober second thoughts may teach, as to the news contained in these letters, it is impossible on first reading them to avoid feeling some hopeful excitement. Though our correspondent says that nothing has occurred that affords a " solution of the riddle that Theodoras has given us to solve," there is sufficient stated to make one think that the wide uncertainties of the case are being drawn into narrower compass. Though the Negus gives no voluntary sign, his movements, as to the correct report about which there seems no

doubt, indicate that he has acknowledged ; himself beaten by circumstances. Rather :' than give np his beloved mortar he aban- , dons the march on Magdala, and though ) he could easily liave drawn the captives i from hence, he seeme to be first thinking of his own security. Fortunately for us • he is too courageous to seek safety in ? flight but retires to another strong fori tres.* called, for want of a more precise • term, Dalanta, in which province it is I situated. So far as the maps serve us, this place would seem not to be more than 20 miles north-west of Magdala, while Zebit or Bet Hor where he has recently been encamped is nearly 40 miles from the prison fortress. There is between Magdala and Dalanta the Babhilo river which is considerably larger than the Djidda, across which he has not been able to drag his guns and baggage waggons. It is gratifying that up to the 9fch February the captives were well, and that they were by Theodorus's orders better treated, though more closely guarded than of late. The inferences which — under a hopeful feeling may be fairly drawn from these little incidents seems to be — that 'J heodorus's resources are now very limited ; that he is not likely to retrace his steps to Debra Tabor; and. that, however determined may be his intentions as to self-defence, he is more likely to offer to treat than to resort to fruitless "vindictive measures. These are the first impressions we gather from the Magdala news in our correspondent's letter ; but there is plenty in it to suggest the sober views of second thoughts. Some of the country traversed in approaching Antalo is bad enough, but there must be much more of the same sort south of that place. The central provinces, too, will be more impoverished in proportion, as they have been exposed : to the destroying arm of Theodorus on one side, and to the Gallas on the other. From Sir R. Napier's official account of his interview with Prince JGCassai, we take the following paragraph : — Just before we took our departure, His Highness sent for his own "War cloak, made of the mane of the lion, and armed with a breast-plate of silver. This he placed with his own hands upon me, aud one after the other, were given me his sword, spear, shield, and gauntlet, a cheer from the assembled British officers atteoding each separate gift. His Highness begged me to keep as a momento of his friendship all that he had given ; and when I took leave, he mounted me on his mule with the request that his favorite should never be ridden by any one except myself. The following morning, when I was expecting to receive a visit from the Prince's brother, I was agreeably surprised to see His Highness himself ride up to my tent. A private interview followed, and as a sign of H. H.s desire to promote a cordial understanding between himself and us, his visiting mein this way, with comparatively little ceremony, probably had more significance even than ail his friendly assurances the previous day. On his seating himself in my tent, I naturally referred to the subject of the provisioning of our troops, and pointing out to H.H. that this was the direction in which, more than any other, his friendship should be shown, I named two [ thousand madegahs (about 20 lbs.) of ! wheat and barley as the quantity we would like to see delivered weekly at Attegerat and Antalo. His . Highness promised that this should be done. Detail and arrangement of the troops. Pioneer Forces. Colonel Phayre, Commanding (for the present.) SxAiT of the advance Force. Lieut-General Sir E. Napier Com-mander-in- Chief. Ist Brigade. Brigadier General Schneider, Commanding. 2nd Brigade. Brigadier General Wilby, Commanding. Second Division. Major General Malcolm, Commanding. Lieut-General Bray Assistant Adjutant General. Captain "Watts, Deputy Assistant Quarter Master General. Addigerat Garrison. Major Fairbrother, Commanding. Senape Garrison. Colonel Little, Commanding. ZoiJLA AND THE PASS. Brigadier General Stewart, Commanding. Sir Charles Stavely 's command includes all troops beyond Antalo and Magdala ; General Malcolm's all troops in and bei tween Antalo and Senafe, General i Stewart's all in Zoula and the Pass. The | 3rd Dragoon Guards will, on arrival at Zoula, immediately join the first brigade of the Advance Force ; and the 26th Cameronians will be quartered at Senafe.