THE ROYAL ARTILLERY INSTITUTION. 
177 
Some explanation of Theodore’s position, if given here, may throw light 
on subsequent operations. A group of three flat-topped hills occupied by 
the enemy formed an indented isosceles triangle, of which the two sides 
were 3000 yards long and the base something over 4000 yards. The hill 
of Magdala, the apex of this triangle, was concealed from view by those of 
Islamgee and Falla, which formed the base, the former being on the right. 
A high, rock of basalt, named Selassee, rose from the centre of Islamgee to 
a height of 450 feet, while the front of the hill itself occupied 1620 yards. 
Falla on the left is a natural bastion with faces of 450 yards, and flanks of 
about 60 yards. 
Magdala and Islamgee are connected by a saddle about 1200 yards long, 
while a second saddle of 700 yards joined Islamgee to Falla. 
The King’s road running under Falla on the northern side, crossed this 
last saddle, and passing below the scarp of the first, mounted it, and rose 
almost directly to the gate within 200 yards of the base of the Magdala 
bin. ; 
The top of the Selassee, 3870 feet above the bed of the Beshilo, com¬ 
manded the crest of the Magdala hill by 100 feet, while the gate was placed 
some 70 feet down the face of the hill, whose extreme height was 390 feet. 
The saddle below Magdala was 70 feet higher than that between Islamgee 
and Falla, and this last was 900 feet above the plateau of Arogee, which 
descended 276 feet in a length of 1J miles. The descent of the Arogee 
Pass was 444 feet, and a drop of 1500 feet further was made in reaching 
the Beshilo. Our position on Talanta was 3500 feet above the river, and 
the road down was precipitous; recent rain had brought the stream to a 
depth of 2J feet. 
Adjutant-General’s Office . 
Head Quarters, Camp North Bane op Beshieo River, 
8th April, 1868. 
The following Memoranda of Instructions for guidance of Officers during 
the attack on Magdala, are published 
1. British infantry on the day of the advance on Magdala will wear 
Khakee clothing. 
2. Each man’s greatcoat, blanket, waterproof sheet, and serge clothing 
will be made up into roll and packed in sulleetah in proportion of twelve 
bundles to one mule. Requisitions for sulleetahs must be made out on the 
day previous to the advance, and they must be packed ready and piled in 
separate heaps by regiments on spots which will be pointed out by the 
D.-A.-Q.-M.-General of the Brigade. 
3. Two pounds of biscuit and two pounds of cooked meat will be 
carried by each British officer and n.-c. officer on the morning of the 
advance. Native soldiers will be served out with parched grain or cooked 
meat and chupatties. 
4. Regimental cooks will remain at the depot in rear, and if the 
operations against Falla or Islamgee last more than one day, they will, day 
by day, cook the requisite number of rations for their respective corps, 
which will be forwarded under Land Transport Corps arrangements to the 
front. 
