3-021-409 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Abyssinian Expedition: Koomailee, at the mouth of the pass leading to Senafe, 1868. Engraving of a sketch by 'Our esteemed correspondent the Staff Officer, whose name we are not authorised to print...The Koomailee Pass...has now been definitively selected...for the march of the British army. It leads to the frontier and to the village of Senafe, which is farther on the route towards the dominions of King Theodore than any corresponding position at the top of the other mountain passes from the seacoast. Our correspondent writes: "Koomailee, from which watering-place the pass takes its name, is situated at the point where the torrent leaves the hills. It is thirteen miles from the landing-place at Zulla, and is the first halting place for European troops in Abyssinia...Koomailee is now connected with the landing-place by a good cleared road...Good wells have been sunk, and encamping-grounds for the different corps have been cleared by the Bombay Sappers, 10th Native Infantry, and gangs of Shohos. The advanced brigade has already marched up the pass, and we expect hourly to hear of the occupation of Senafe, on the Abyssinian plateau...".' From "Illustrated London News", 1868.