The Abyssinian Expedition: the destruction of Magdala, 1868. The stronghold of Emperor Tewodros II of Ethiopia at Magdala ...was burnt, on April 17, at four oclock in the afternoon, by order of Sir Robert Napier [of the British Army], the troops having left the place shortly before. This operation was executed by Captain Goodfellow, R.E. The gates had been first blown up with gunpowder, and all King Theodores brass guns, except three or four to be kept for trophies, were at the same time destroyed. Nothing but "a scorched rock" was left of this celebrated Abyssinian fortress. The houses, such as they were, constructed of small timber and reeds in the rudest fashion, were reckoned at more than a thousand. The exodus of the population, which included thousands of the men of King Theodores broken army, with their wives and children, was an extraordinary sight. From "Illustrated London News", 1868.