Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1891-04-03
500 KILLED.
A Bloedy Massacre In india OAicsrs' Fate
Uncortain.

Uncertain.
CALCUTTA, March 3l.-Official dis
patches received here confirm the report
of the massacre of 470 Goorkhas, at
Manipur, In the province OF Assam.
The fate of the British officers in COM
mand at Goorkhas and Of the chief COM
missioner, James w. Quinton, who was
conducting negotiations at Durbar for
the arrest Of q prominent chief, Is still
uncertain, but the vicerOy of India
believes that all the officers
have either met death or that they are
held IS prisoners. In addition to the
disaster at Manipur 1t Is believed that Z
force Of British troops, composed OF zoo
men OF the Bengalese infantry and about
eighty Goorkhas, who were marching to
Manipur in order to reinforce the troops
comprising the escort Of Commissioner
Quinton, have also been attacked and
have shared the fate OF thetr
comrades at Manipur. The viccroy II
hurrying troops to the province Of
Assam to punish the hostiles. Troops
arc also being sent into the states located
In proximity TO Assam 10 prevent any
disorder or outbreak which It Is thought
might follow tho spreading OF the news of
the massacre Of British troops at Mani
pur.
Tho Earlier Account.
CALCUTTA, March 3O.-A dispatch
from Manipur, province of Assam, says
James w. Qvfnton, chief commissioner
OF Assam, has been investigating some
troubles which occurred among the
native chiefs, with view to arresting
one of them who has been instrumental
in deposing the ralah. The commits
sioner occupied camp garrisoned by
strong force of Goorkhas, native infantry
In the British service. Suddenly this
camp was attacked by number Of the
hostile tribes. A two-dsys' battle, dur
ing which desperate fighting took place,
was followed by an onslaught. The
Go0rkhas fought most determinedly
against heavy odds, and according to the
report 47O of them were killed. Seven
British officers who accompanied the
commissioner cannot be found.
News Of the massacre was brought to
Kohiman, on the Assam frontier, by two
goorkhas. Itoriginated In . feud be-
tween the rajah Of Manipur and lead
ing tribal chief The rajah was de-
posed aud appealed to the viceroy. Mr..
Quinton was sent to settle the trouble
and started from headquarters at Shill-
Ou8, eScOrteO Oy tn0 cOTty'SecOnu anu
Forty-fourth goorka light infantry.
After crossing the frontier, Quinton
summoned the chiefs to durbar at
Manipur for the purpose of arresting
the rebellious chief. The tribesmen,
pretending to obey the summons, mus
tered in force, and at midnight ON the
day before the day ON which the durbar
was to be held, suddenly attacked the
camp Of Commissioner Quinton, which lay
between Kohina and Manipur. The at
tempt to surprise the camp failed and
the tribesmen were driven back. They
returned, however, and kept up the at
tack and siege night and day for forty
eight hours. Finally tho ammunition Of
the goorkhas gave out and Commissioner
Quinton was obliged to give the order,
''suave qui peut." During the fight
scouts were sent out to try to commnni-
cate with Shillong, but never returned.
The Manipur natives cut the telegraph
wires and killed the messengers. Fugi-
tives report that general massacre fol-
lowed the taking OF the camp. There is
no reason for believing that the estimate
that 40 were killed Is incorrect.