THE ABYSSINIAN RUSH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVI, Issue XIX, 9 May 1896, Page 523

THE ABYSSINIAN RUSH.

It will be of interest now to recall the account of the Abyssinians as fighting men given by Slatin Pasha in his recent work on his captivity in the Soudan. At one time they invaded the Mahdi’s dominions and occupied the district of Gurlabat, close to the Blue Nile, having first totally annihilated a large Dervish force. Slatin says the rush of the Abyssinian troops was terrible, and only a few of their opponents escaped. Hereupon the Mahdi collected the largest force he had ever sent out. It consisted of over 60,000 men. and was placed under one of his most famous Emirs, Abu Auga. This huge army marched into Abyssinia, where it was met by a large Abyssinian force armed with rifles, which fought with reckless bravery and extraordinary dash. But a mistake Lad been made by the Abyssinian leader in the selection of the ground, and be was totally defeated, the Dervishes marching on to Gondar, which they destroyed, and then returned to their own country, driving before them thousands of women and girls. King John oi Abyssinia, to avenge this deieat, collected an immense army and marched into the Mahdi’s territory, causing the utmost consternation among the Dervishes. But in the siege of Gallabut the King himself was killed and the army retreated, a chieftain named Hailo Mariam, who was nominated to succeed him, being slain in the retreat; and the Dervishes captured John's crown and sword, as well as a letter to him from Queen Victoria. Two leaders in that dis astrous campaign were Mendlik, who became King, and Ras Alula, whose name is well known in connection with recent military proceedings. The dea t h of King John was in March, 1889. The Italian occupation of Massowah and the surrounding country diverted the Abyssinians from further designs against the Madhi, otherwise it is clear that they would have renewed their war for predominance in the Soudan . and it is by no means certain that the Madhi would have been able to hold his own in Khartoum against the extraordinary dash of the Abyssinians and the large forces which they seemed to be able to put into the held.