3-021-444 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The British Expedition to Abyssinia: the intrenched position of Adigerat, 1868. British army camp in Ethiopia. 'This place...is about forty miles from Senafe. It is on an eminence in a plain, surrounded on all sides by high hills, those on the south and west being very lofty...This is an important point on the line of march, which must be held secure in order to keep up the perpetual current of supplies to the front. The southern and western side of the position is naturally protected by rocks, so that it only required an embankment of earth on the eastern slope and at the northern end. Two Armstrong guns are in the camp, and a company of artillery; the 25th Bombay Native Light Infantry form the garrison...Adigerat seems a very healthy station, and a plentiful supply of water flows past the northern end of the intrenchment. Three sutlers' shops have managed to advance thus far into the country, and this advance is accompanied by a wonderful advance in prices. Brandy is quoted at 16s. [shillings] a bottle; lucifer matches, 1s. a box, the same as sold in the streets of London at a halfpenny. Red herrings may be had at 1s. a piece. These quotations will give an idea of what things cost at Adigerat'. From "Illustrated London News", 1868.