Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Letter written by an Officer in the Abyssinian Campaign, blue paper, 270 x 420mm., folded in two, handwritten in black ink on three of the four sides, dated, ‘Camp near the Bashilo, 7th April 1868’, torn but professionally restored in several places, fairly good condition £30-50

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals formed by the late David Dixon.

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Addressed to his sister by an officer (signature indecipherable), the letter describes the conditions encountered, positions of the opposing forces and sundry incidents in the campaign.

‘.... So we are on the one side of the Bashilo Ravine & “King” Theodore is on the other. How long we shall remain in these positions I know not but I think a few days will decide the matter. [We] are greatly in want of supplies. [?] thousand mules have been sent back for them & they [are] expected daily. In the meantime the Europeans are living on native made bread & meat and the native troops on unground wheat and for those who will eat it, mutton. None of us, as you may well imagine, think ourselves overfed - As for beer, wine or liquor of any sort we have almost forgotten the taste of it. ... Notwithstanding the scarcity of provisions & luxuries, a note was received from the prisoners a couple of days ago asking “the Chief” to send to them some brandy & cheroots. Just fancy!! ... The prisoners write to say that their chains have been taken off but that they are now more strictly watched than ever. .... Theodore has I believe written to say that he will fight to the last. And as he is in a very strong position on the banks of the Bashilo we may have more work than we expected. He will be surrounded on all sides. The King of Shoa (Menelik by name) is with his army on the south. The two Brigades of which this force is composed will take the north & west side. In my next I hope to be able to inform you of our having captured Theodore & our being on our way back to Goola( ?) with him as prisoner. ...’