The Battle of Magdala is fought in April 1868 between British and Abyssinian forces at Magdala, 390 miles (630 km) from the Red Sea coast, which at this time is the capital city of Abyssinia (now known as Ethiopia).
The British are led by Robert Napier, while the Abyssinians are led by Emperor Tewodros II.In March 1866 a British envoy had been dispatched to secure the release of a group of missionaries who had first been seized when a letter Tewodros II had sent to Queen Victoria requesting munitions and military experts from the British, delivered by an envoy, Captain Cameron, had gone unanswered.
They had been released; however Tewodros II had changed his mind and sent a force after them and they had been returned to the fortress and imprisoned again, along with Captain Cameron.The British win the battle, and Tewodros commits suicide as the fortress is finally seized.
