=Abyssinia Medal.=--By a general order dated March 1st, 1869, a medal was granted to all Her Majesty's British and Indian forces, naval and military, who took part in the operations in Abyssinia under Sir Robert Napier between October 4th, 1867, and April 19th, 1868. This is a very distinctive silver medal, being considerably smaller than the others issued. On the obverse, within a beaded circle, is the bust of Queen Victoria facing left, crowned and veiled, encircled by a star of nine points with the letters of the word ABYSSINIA between the angles. The portrait of the Queen is similar to that on the New Zealand medal. On the reverse, within a beaded circle surrounded by a wreath of laurel tied at the base, the recipient's name, rank, and regiment or ship are stamped in relief in the centre. The Indian troops had their names and regiments generally engraved, but I have several in my possession with the names stamped in relief, and also in intaglio. The medal is suspended from a silver swivel ring attached to a crown soldered on to the top of the medal, which is 1¼ in. in diameter, by means of 1½ in. wide ribbon of red, with broad white borders. ASHANTEE, 1873-4 There had been troubles on the Hinterland and in the West Coast settlements as far back as 1824 and 1826, and again in 1863; but the more serious outbreak of hostilities occurred in 1873, when the Ashantees crossed the River Prah, and, attacking the Assims and Fantees, opened a road for themselves to Elmina and Cape Coast Castle, and in company with the Elminas attempted to capture Fort Elmina, but were beaten off. A force of 20,000 Ashantees, however, sat down before Mampon, 10 miles from the British forts, and there they remained until the advent of Sir Garnet (afterwards Viscount) Wolseley in October 1874, when they abandoned their camp, and fell back behind the Prah. A small force was sent to Elmina to disperse the natives, which it did, while the main force, composed of the 23rd Royal Welsh Fusiliers, the 42nd Black Watch, and 2nd 60th Rifles, pressed forward over the Prah--which the Ashantees asserted no white man could cross--over the Adansi Hills, and across the Bahrein River on to Amoaful, where 20,000 Ashantees under General Amanquatia stubbornly fought for five hours before giving way, and then desultory fighting continued for at least six hours more before the enemy actually retreated, having lost their General and considerably over 2,000 men. In this stubborn fight the 42nd, which had led the attack, and repeatedly charged the enemy, lost Major Baird, who was mortally wounded, and had 7 officers and 104 men placed _hors de combat_ by wounds. [Illustration: BRONZE STAR FOR ASHANTI, 1896.] [Illustration: INDIA 1895 MEDAL FOR THREE CAMPAIGNS.] [Illustration: MAYOR'S STAR FOR DEFENCE OF KIMBERLEY.]