Emperor of Abyssinia Téwodros II, angered by the failure of the British to provide him aid had taken most British diplomats, missionaries, and businessmen in his kingdom as hostages the year before. After all diplomatic attempts had failed and a final ultimatum was ignored, Queen Victoria's government prepared for military action. On this day, the first 1,400-man contingent of British troops departed India for Africa from Bombay. The eventual 12,000 strong force, under General Sir Robert Napier, defeated the Emperor's army and on April 13, 1868 stormed his capital at Magdala as he committed suicide by pistol shot. (By John Osborne)
"Abyssinia," The American Annual Cyclopedia and Register of Important Events of the Year 1867 ... (New York: D. Appleton & Co., 1870), 3-9.