3-021-497 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Expedition to Abyssinia: water-carriers and camp followers, 1868. 'General Sir Robert Napier...reached Attegerat on the 5th March. He was to stay there until the 18th, in order to establish a line of posts along the road, and to move his army forwards, as well as to await the visit of Kassai, the Prince of Tigré...The distance from Attegerat to Antalo is between eighty and ninety miles. Beyond Antalo, the way to Magdala is through the mountainous province of Lasta, where Sir Robert will find it difficult to transport his artillery and stores; but it is his present intention to take on beyond Antalo a force of about 3000 men. Each of the three British infantry regiments now in Abyssinia or Annesley Bay...will contribute its share (about 300 men) to this force. The Native Infantry will consist of the Punjaub Pioneers, the Beloochees, the 10th, the 25th, and some Bombay and Madras Sappers. The cavalry will comprise a squadron of the 3rd Dragoon Guards, who are the only British cavalry sent to Abyssinia; the Scinde Horse, and the 3rd Light Cavalry. Two light mountain batteries, under the command of Colonel Milward, and, if possible, Captain Murray's heavy guns, will constitute the artillery'. From "Illustrated London News", 1868.