THE ROYAL ARTILLERY INSTITUTION. 
179 
Madras Sappers and Miners, moving by a difficult ascent to the plateau 
immediately above the river and on the right of the road to Magdala. 
“ A” Battery, 21st Brigade, and the Naval Brigade, remaining behind at the 
river. At 1 o'clock an order was received for the artillery to advance by 
the road to the Pass of Arogee, which was reported to be in possession of 
our infantry. About 4 o'clock, as the artillery completed the ascent from 
the ravine by a steep zigzag; the 23rd Pioneers were sent from the plateau 
by the left to hold the road during their advance, the position designed for 
our camp lying to the right rear and above the road they ascended. 
Hardly had the top of the pass been reached when the order was given 
“ Prepare to receive the enemy." At this time Theodore opened fire from 
Palla with three 6-inch guns, and later, fired from a large (13-inch) mortar 
on Islamgee. His position having a command of 1200 feet, enabled him 
to obtain a range of 2400 yards, but with a plunging fire; the shot passing 
over the heads of the troops, took no effect. The enemy to the number 
of about 5000 now swarmed down the hill from Palla, making their way 
across the Arogee plateau and streaming from it to our left by a series of 
narrow ravines as they struck at our baggage which followed in rear of the 
artillery. 
The battery came into action supported by the 23rd Pioneers and 
one Company of the 4th K.O., while the Naval Brigade, moving to a knoll on 
the right which commanded the plateau (where the Commander-in-Chief had 
stationed himself), a fire of shell and rockets was quickly brought upon the 
enemy. The 4th K.O., the Beloochees, and Bombay Sappers, supported by 
the 10th Co. B.E., advanced along the plateau, the Madras Sappers moving 
by the right to cut off a retreat by the valleys on that side. The Sniders 
quickly took effect, and some thirty bodies dotted the plateau before the 
regiments formed line to the left, pouring volleys into the enemy who were 
massed in the ravines on their flank, the 4th K.O. and Beloochees descend¬ 
ing as they got further away. Meanwhile the rockets had played on the 
plateau, and the Naval Brigade advancing, took up a second position about 
500 yards from the foot of Palla, which enabled them to drive out the 
enemy from a slight protection afforded by a turn in the road, and to 
throw their rockets into Palla itself, these projectiles causing great con¬ 
sternation. Prom the first the battery had been firing on the masses 
collected on the slopes to the left of the plateau with common shell and 
shrapnel as the range decreased from 1500 yards to 500 yards. As the 
infantry continued to drive the enemy into the ravines, they came still 
further under fire of the battery, which with the small arms of three 
regiments effected a great slaughter. Spite of our superiority it cannot be 
denied that their resistance was that of a brave people; though driven off 
the plateau, their advance was so well sustained that our baggage guard 
itself was closely engaged. At dusk the troops followed the enemy then 
retiring up the hill, two guns of the battery accompanying the 4th K.O., 
and two rounds of case were fired. The force was withdrawn at sundown, 
and lay under arms all night in the position originally occupied by the 
battery. As they were within range of the guns on Palla, a strict silence 
was maintained. 
The supply of water was so scanty, that half a pint only was served out, 
and many received none. 
[vol. vi.] 
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