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1896
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Jan
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The siege at Makalle lasts 45 days. Finally Menelik allows the Italians safe conduct back to Massawa. The Italian government, however, takes it as an insult, sends reinforcements and further funds for the war against Menelik. Menelik occupies Adowa and Baratieri's forces (roughly 20,000 troops and 56 guns) dig a new line of defences at Sauria.
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Feb
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Peace negotiations flounder because Italian government demands that General Baratieri must secure the Italian protectorate. Menelik refuses to attack the well fortified position at Sauria.
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Until the enemy comes to attack me in my camp, and I hear the fusillade and I see them with my eyes, not until then shall I send out my army in order of battle.
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25
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Feb
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Prime Minister Crispi, desperate for an Italian victory, telegrams Baratieri effectively accusing him of cowardice and incompetence. General Baldissera is secretly despatched from Italy to take command from Baratieri. He sails under an assumed name.
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"This is military pthisis (tuberculosis, i.e. a wasting disease) not a war...Small skirmishes in which we are always facing the enemy with inferior numbers... There is no fundamental plan in this campaign... We are ready for any sacrifice in order to save the honour of the army and the prestige of the monarchy."
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28
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Feb
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General Baratieri holds a war council with his four brigadiers. Dabormida refuses to consider retreat. Both he and Albertone, commander of the Native Brigade, are confident that they can win a fight with the Ethiopians. The council is split in its decision, Baratieri decides to attack.
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29
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Feb
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During the night four brigades totalling 17,700 men (10,600 Italian infantry and 7,100 Askari) and 56 guns advance the nine kilometres from Sauria to a line of three defensive peaks overlooking the Ethiopian camp at Adowa.
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1
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Mar
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Battle of Adowa, Italians suffer a humiliating defeat. The butchers bill is heavy:
Out of the original 10,600 Italian infantry and 7,100 Askari
298 Italian Officers dead, including four Brigadier Generals.
2,918 Italian infantry dead, 945 missing, 470 wounded, 1,900 captured.
2,000 Askari dead, 958 wounded, 1,800 captured.
Also lost 11,000 rifles and 56 guns.
Out of the 100,000 Ethiopians, 7,000 are killed and 10,000 wounded.
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4
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Mar
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A telegram from Baratieri describing the armies defeat in Ethiopia is published by the Italian government. Baratieri is made a scapegoat and tried before a military court in Asmara. He is acquitted but considered unfit for command.
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5
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Mar
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General Baldissera arrives at Massawa and takes command He needs to extricate the remaining garrison at Adigrat, and relieve the garrison at Kassala which is now under siege by Dervishes.
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12
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Mar
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Menelik II's army is amassed on the border with Eritrea. General Baldissera sends an envoy, who is promptly arrested by Menelik II.
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16
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Mar
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Crispi's government falls. The new prime Minister, the Marquis di Rudini, is allowed more money to secure peace with Menelik than was spent on the whole campaign.
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End
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Mar
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Menelik is on his way back, marching 500 miles to Addis Ababa with the whole Ethiopian army and its prisoners (1,900 Italians, some seriously injured and 1,600 Askari. The trip takes two months. The Askari, native Ethiopian and Eritrean troops, receive the traditional Ethiopian punishment for traitors, their right hand and left foot are amputated – roughly 230 die during the operation.
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23
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Aug
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The Italian envoy, Count Nerazzi, is informed that there are only two conditions for peace – abolition of the Treaty of Wichale and recognition of Ethiopia's independence.
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26
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Oct
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Rome signs Treaty of Addis Ababa. The surviving Italian prisoners, 1,705 in total, are sent via Harar to the coast (approximately 200 had died on the march south). The Askari are not ransomed. Menelik also gains territory from the Italian Somaliland protectorate in the Ogaden. Negotiations with other Imperial powers gains Menelik much needed breathing space:
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1897
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20
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Mar
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In return for large tracts of French Somaliland (now Djibouti) Menelik secretly agrees to aid France's scheme against the British to take the upper Nile. Two French expeditions to Fashoda fail.
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14
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May
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For a large tract of British Somaliland (Western Hawd) and a right for duty free imports through the port of Zeila he agrees to give aid to the British against the Mahdists, and he agrees to a commercial pact with the Mahdists.
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Following years...
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Menelik launches campaign against Kaffa and Galla peoples to the south. They have limited arms (a few hundred muzzle loading rifles) and are quickly defeated. Tens of thousands of blacks are killed in the battle or sold into slavery. Menelik's II empire is now twice the size of Yohannes IV's. With looted gold from the Kaffa campaign he re-equips his army.
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About's African History Chatroom:
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Alistair Boddy-Evans – your Guide to African History
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