SIR ROBERT NAPIER'S ADDRESS TO HIS ARMY.

Southland Times, Issue 1006, 19 August 1868, Page 3

SIR ROBERT NAPIER'S ADDRESS TO HIS ARMY.

(From the c Pall Mall Gazette.') Sir Eobert Napier, in his address to his troops congratulating them on their victory, says : — ' You have traversed, often under a tropical sun, or amidst storms of rain and sleet, 400 miles of mountainous and difficult country. You have crossed many steep and precipitous ranges of mountains, more than 10,000 feet in altitude, where your supplies could not keep pace with you. When you arrived within reach of the enemy, though with scanty food, and some of you for many hqurs without either food or water, in four days you passed the formidable chasm of the Bashilo, and defeated the army of Theodore, which poured down upon you from their lofty fortress in the full confidence of victory. A host of many thousands have laid down their arms at your feet. You have captured and destroyed upwards of thirty pieces of . artillery, many of great weight and efficiency, with ample stores of ammunition. You have stormed the almost inaccessible fortress of Magdala, defended by Theodore with the desperate remnant of his chiefs and followers. After you forced the entrance, Theodore, who never showed mercy, didtrusted the oifer of mercy held out to him, and died by his own hand. You have released not only the British, captives, but those of other friendly nations. You have unloosed the chains of more than ninety of the principal chiefs of Abyssinia. Magdala. on which so many victims have been slaughtered, has been committed to the flames, and remains only a scorched rock. Our complete and rapid success is dve — Eirst, to the mercy of God, whose hand I feel assured has been over us in a just cause. Secondly to the high spirit with which you have been inspired. Indian soldiers nave forgotton the prejudices of race and creed, to keep pace with their European comrades. Never has an army entered into a war with more honorable feelings than yours; this has carried you through many fatigues and difficulties. You have been only tager for the moment when you could close with your enemy.' One passage in the gallant commander's address will be read with great satisfaction at home. ' I thank you,* he says, ' for your devotion to your duty, and the good discipline you have maintained. Not a single complaint has been made against a soldier of fields injured, or villagers wilfully molested in property or person."