Theodore II--Lt. F.H. Taylor | Fragment of tent, with 13 letters on the Abyssinian campaign, 1864-68

Theodore II, Emperor of Abyssinia--Lt. Frederick Henry Taylor

Thirteen autograph letters signed, to his father, describing the British Expedition to Abyssinia

from their final preparations for the expedition in the Gulf of Zula ("Zoolla"), their advance inland into the highlands, the Battle of Magdala, the death of the Emperor ("...Theodore himself after having been twice shot in the legs put a pistol to his mouth and thus finished his career of cruelty and debauchery...", 19 April 1868) and a description of Magdala, with one earlier letter, 66 pages, 8vo, various locations, 10 November 1864-10 June 1868 (all but one January-June 1868)

[with:] fabric fragment, lilac silk with floral pattern taken from the Emperor's tent, with red leather edging, c.74cm length, with paper label ("Part of the lining of King Theodore's Tent, Magdala, 1868 | Lent by L. Col F.H. Taylor | Wrentham Suffolk") and medallion engraved with a similar wording

"...the enemy came down in streams and was met by the 4th who at first had all the fun to themselves the naval Brigade soon came up [...] and the enemy were driven off to their right where they came within range of our guns: the battle was now general our guns committing fearful slaughter as they were driven into a ravine from which they could with difficulty escape and thousands were driven into it by the infantry on their left. After firing for about an hour I was sent with two guns to support and assist the infantry: it was pretty hot work as at one time they were within 150 yards of us but I decimated them with grape which they could not face long we were withdrawn at dark [...] during the whole of the fight the rain fell in Torrents which was not very pleasant..." (12 April [1868])

F.H. Taylor was an officer in the Artillery during the British Expedition to Abyssinia in 1868 (see also previous lot).