CAPTURE OF MAGADALA Antique Historical Military Print

Beschreibung

c1890s SEPIA PRINT RARE ANTIQUE MILITARY BATTLESCENE PRINT COMES WITH FOLIO SIZE TISSUE THAT HAS ENGRAVINGS OF THE ARMS AND ARMOUR OF THE PERIOD BRITISH BATTLES - COMES WITH DESCRIPTIVE TEXT CAPTURE OF MAGADALA - 1868 SCANS MINIMIZED TO FIT PAGE FROM THE DESCRIPTIVE TEXT WEAPONS AND UNIFORM OF THIS PERIOD BAYONET OF SNIDER RIFLE, SHOWING THE LOCKING RING INFANTRY OFFICER. RANK SHOWN ON COLLAR CAVARY CARBINE CAPTURE OF MAGDALA, 1868. DEATH OF THEODORE FROM THE DECRIPTIVE TEXT : At last Magdala appeared like a great ship with sails outspread upon a billowy sea of mountains. The spirits of our men rose at sight of the impregnable reck. East and west, far as the eye could reach stretched precipitous cliffs, and in their midst frowned the mighty fort. Tents covered the plateau above, and down the winding track rolled a torrent of horsemen. They met in the plain-five thousand brave barbarians against the trained bands of England, armed for the first time with breech-loading rifles. Again and again the Abyssinians dashed upon the unflinching lines until, rent and torn, they fled in dismay. Theodore saw that his hour had come, and sought to make terms. The European prisoners were released and sent to the British camp. But the Emperor refused to surrender Magdala and Napier was resolved upon its capture. Theodore was confident that it could not be carried by assault, so strong were the natural defences and the number of the guns worked by German captives. The lower hills from which the rock sprang were fortified, and must be taken before Magdala itself could be assailed. Most of the approaches seemed inaccessible, and a handful of men might have swept an army out of the path by hurling stones and rocks down the sides of the mountain. But the sortie of his bravest soldiers had weakened the long line of defence and several points were exposed. In seven days the lower hills-Fahla and Salamgi-yielded, and thirty thousand men, women and children marched into the plain driving before them great flocks of sheep and many donkeys laden with stores. These strongholds were soon occupied, and preparations were made for an attack on the rock itself. Salvoes of rockets were hurled among the guns a thousand feet above. Artillery battered at the gate and under cover of the shells a party of sappers moved forward to clear the way. A mine was sprung and this obstacle was shattered into fragments, disclosing a narrow £light of stone steps with another gate. This also was destroyed and the advance began. A dozen men toiling up the steep ascent came upon a score of guns which the Emperor had failed to get into the fort and had abandoned in haste. Once through the second gate and Magdala lay at our mercy. No further resistance was offered. The Abyssinians had thrown away their arms and received us with offers of peace. Upon the tented plateau beyond lay the body of Theodore. He would not live to be "called a woman" and had taken his own life. Within the fortress were many native prisoners in chains and the corpses of over three hundred captives whom the savage Emperor had put to death before the eyes of the Europeans. Having reduced the fort to a blackened and desolate rock, Napier retraced his steps to the Red Sea. Thus ended an expedition which Lord Beaconsfield compared to the advance of Cortez into the heart of Mexico. The capture of Magdala was in itself a notable feat of arms, but the march through this wild and mountainous' country was an even greater proof of the determination and endurance of our soldiers, who were animated by the knowledge that upon their efforts depended the lives of their countrymen and the honour of their race. Henry Louis Dupray 1841-1909. French military artist Henry Dupray's military paintings, many of which were produced as small sepia prints PUBLISHED DATE c1890s . IMAGE SIZE: approx 9 3/4 in x 8 in - There is a border of 1/4 inch running around the print. Heavy Card and Engraved Tissue SIZE: approx 17 X 12 INCHES CONDITIO. Bestandsnummer des Verkäufers 6172

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