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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF 
I shall watch over your safety to the moment of your re-embarkation, and shall 
to the end of my life remember with pride, that I have commanded you. 
E. NAPIEE, Lieutenant-General. 
Commander-in-Chief, 
Abyssinia. 
The army started in three columns on the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd of April. 
These experienced some difficulty in the return march to Antalo, owing 
to the number of troops and followers in each, the exhausted state of the 
cattle, and the stormy weather they encountered, and some modification in 
their original formation was made. It would no doubt have been impolitic 
to reduce the size of the columns, so as to enable them to perform long and 
difficult marches with comparative ease, and too hurried a return would not 
have been sufficiently dignified; yet the re-assembly of the force at Antalo 
on the 12th of May without disaster was a relief to those who feared for 
our supplies, and dreaded the immediate downfall of the rains. It may, 
however, be as well to state that columns travelling through a mountainous 
country should be limited by the number of animals they require to 
accompany them, as well as the means of supply, the extent of camping 
grounds, and other of the usual considerations. 
1000 mules are moved with ease, and do not impede the march of the 
troops; the columns returning from Talanta had each as many as 2500 
baggage animals. 
The difficulty of retaining the elephants in the 2nd Brigade, was found 
so great, that at Dildee a 4th column was formed with G/14th E.A., the 
8-inch mortars, and 45th Eegiment. 
Once in Tigre we came upon the admirable roads constructed by the 2nd 
Division during our advance, and single file marching was at an end. 
The casualties amongst the European troops since the commencement of 
the operations at this time, only amounted to 27; 5 officers and 22 men; 
2 officers died violent deaths—out of a total of 520 officers and 4250 men 
landed in Abyssinia, and the expedition had lasted six months. 
The following congratulatory message from H.M. the Queen was 
published at Antalo :— 
Adjutant - General 3 s Office. 
Head Quarters, Camp Antalo, 
12th May, 1868. 
The Commander-in-Chief has the highest satisfaction in conveying to the army 
of Abyssinia the following message received this day by telegraph. 
Sir Eobert Napier most heartily congratulates all under his command on this 
flattering recognition of their services by Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen 
Victoria. 
“ The Queen sends hearty congratulations and thanks to Sir Eobert Napier 
and his gallant force on their brilliant success.” 
By order of His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief, 
EEEI). THESIGEE, Colonel, 
Deputy Adjutant-General. 
