Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1846-12-31
ANOTHER MASSACRE OF THE MES.
TORIANSl

The New York Courier contains some extracts
Of letters, from Constantinope. published in the
London papers, giving the particulars Of another
terrible massacre OF the HISTORIANS by the Kurds.
letter from the correspondent of the London
Chronicle, describing these atrocities, cannot be
read without feeling Of horror 1t states, under
date Of November ., that the Kurdish Chief, Beder
Khan Boy, having collected a considerable body Of
men, divided them into several small bands know
ing that resistance would be offered, and directed
them to FALL upon the HISTORIAN villages. Of the
result of this expedition, the following details are
given:
"Thirty-six of these villnges, at the least, have
been thus made scenes of the most narrowing
Wholesale murders. To speak of their having been
sacked and pIundercd, and burnt to the ground
would oe TO draw attention TO an incident OF small
Importance, IN the face Of the greater horrors that
these bloody barbarlans committed. Men, women,
and children, crying for mercy the women and
Children III the agones Of terror were put to death
by every species OF torture which cruelty could in
vent. Happy were those who were shot, or who
fell by the sword, who had not their bowels ripped
out OF them while living, or were not impaled u
midst the shouts and laughter of the murderers
Two OF the Bishops of the HISTORIANS, If not
more, were impacd, and several of the priests
what lmpahng is, suppose your readers to UNDER
stand. But that was not the worst torture that was
lhillcted Children were torn from their mothers
breasts and III presence OF their mothers who were
oolgeu, screcching, to look on, put in the most
shocking manner TO death. The mothers were af-
terwards sacrificed. The youth of both sexes un-
dcrwent sacrifices which cannot be mentioned be-
lore their lhroats, in disgust and safety, were cut
ne pen refuses TO record more of these atrocities
though might go on, and allude to denominations
ut cruelty, and worse than cruelty, which call for
retrlouon as nearly equal to their bestiaI ruthless
ness IN severity as can be inflicted. Three thou
sand q The .NcSor0nS hdUe persisted in This massacre
on The ioweSt calculation! The most extensive
slaughter took place at large village, or township
called Bias, where Bedcr Khan Bey was himself
present. Here the two Bishops were impaled. and
from this place wre sent the three hundred heads
Upickted to the Pacha OF Moussou with the insult.
ng message, that it the Porte presumed To modest
the sender, he would send to Cunstantnople in
stead OF HISTORIAN, Turkish heads enough to make
a pyramid.
Whilst these things were happening, council,
over which the HISTORIAN Patriarch who has es-
capped from Moussoul, presided, was held at u town
Called If recoect Alright, Artchy, one of the prln-
clpal HISTORIAN settlements. Here it was determ-
med that, as resistance was vain, the whole people
OF the HISTORIANS should emigrate without sin.
gle hours delay, into Persia, where numerous
BODY OF their cOuntrymen settled on the banks
of the lake of Oroomah. The execution of this
design was however, difficult, penlous and dlsas-
trous. The tugitlves were obliged to leave behind
them all their property most of them crossed the
~ " S-'"S7'"S; iiiShlcueu, ana Wretcned
bands. But one corps Of emlgrants, stronger lhan
the others, commanded am told, by the Patriarch,
was attacked on their passage by the soldiers of
Bedar Khan Bey. After an obstinate conflict, in
which many fell on both Sides the HISTORIANS gam
ed the victory.
But the whole mountain district of Kurdistan, on
the Turkish side, is at this moment filled with
houseless, fainshed wanderers, hiding themselves
IN dens and caves under all the worst circum-
stances and gulses OF misery, from .heir Dursucrs
Beder Khan Bey swore before he started on his ex-
petition, with all the soemnitics OF his creed, be-
tore two maums, that he would extermlnate the
whole Nestorlan PEOPLE; and all OF them who have
not strength enough to reach Persia, will certainly
experience the full realization of his oath"