. From this they pushed on to Antalo, where they halted for
nearly a month, in consequence of having to wait for a supply of
dollars, without which no purchases could be made. At length, on the
12th of March, the march to Magdala really commenced. Colonel Phayre
led the advance force, accompanied by a pioneer force consisting of two
companies of the 33rd, two of native sappers, one of Punjaub Pioneers,
and 80 sabres of native cavalry; the whole commanded by Captain Field,
of the 10th Native Infantry. The rest of the force was divided into two
brigades, under Sir Charles Staveley. With the first brigade marched
the Commander-in-Chief and headquarters. It consisted of the 33rd
Regiment, two companies of Beloochees, the head-quarter wing of the 10th
Bombay Native Infantry, the 10th company of Royal Engineers, a battery
of mountain guns, and the Scinde Horse. The second brigade was composed
of the 4th Regiment, a wing of the Beloochees, a company of sappers,
Punjaub Pioneers, Naval Brigade, and Armstrong guns, and two mortars
with elephants, the B battery of mountain guns, and the 3rd Bombay
Cavalry. Sir Charles Staveley and his staff marched with this brigade.
The road before them was rough and mountainous in the extreme, with
difficult passes, mountain torrents to be crossed, and often lofty
overhanging rocks above their heads. Frequently, before the first
brigade could advance, the roads had to be made practicable for mules
and carts. The 33rd Regiment distinguished itself by the persevering
way in which the men laboured, often going out as grass-cutters, laying
out the camp, and working hard at road-making, along the whole line.
All superfluous baggage had been sent to the rear. The camp equipage
now consisted of small bell-tents only, without tables, chairs,
bedsteads, luggage, or any of the usual comforts of camp life. The
rations were of the roughest and most unvarying description; seldom
anything but tough beef and chowpatties were eaten, the
Commander-in-Chief enjoying no greater luxuries than the private
soldier. During the halts the men were employed on the roads, and often
even on marching days. For 17 days the force pushed on from the Buya
camp, near Antalo, to the Wadela plateau, a distance of 118 miles,
during which they crossed no less than six formidable ranges of
mountains. Perhaps the severest march of the campaign was one performed
on the 24th of March, from Marawa to Dildi, on the banks of