Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1891-04-17
MASSACRE IN INDIA.
Nearly 500 British Goorkhas
Slain by Hostile Tribes.
A Desperate Two Days Battle
With Rebel Assam Chiefs.

A dispatch received at Calcutta, India
from Manipur, Province of Assam, brings
news of a disaster to force of native troops
there James ". Quinton, the British Chief
Commissioner of Assam, has recently been
investigating some serious troubles which
have occurred among the native chiefs. As
result of his investigation the Chief
Commissioner was holding durbar, or
conference. with TIE leading men of
Assam, with TIE view OF arrestng one
of the prominent chiefs who had been lnstru-
mental in deposiug the Rajah. The Ch!ef
Commissioner, while pursuing his inquiries
into the disputes between the chiefs, occu-
pied a camp which was garrisoned by a
strong force of Goorkhas native infantry In
the British service. Suddenly this camp was
attacked by number Of hostile tribes, led by
their chiefs. A two days battle, during
which some desperate fighting took place, fol-
lowed the onslaught of the tribesmen. The
Goorkhas fought determinedly against
heavy odds and, according to the report,
40 of the Goorkhas were killed. Seven or
the British officers who accompanied the
Chief Commissioner, and that Official hlm-
self, are reported to be missing.
The news of the massacre was brought to
Kohima, on the Assam frontier, by two
Goorkhas. The massacre originated In a
feud between the Ra iah Of Manipur and a
leading tribal chief The Rajah was de-
Mr.. Quinton was sent to settle the trouble,
and started from the headquarters at Shil-
long, escorted by the Forty second and
Forty-fourth Goorkha Light Infantry. After
crossing the frontier Mr.. Quinton summoned
the chiefs to durbar at Manipur, for the pur
pose of arresting the rebellious chief. The
tribesmen, pretending to obey the summons,
mustered 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
p Kohima and Manipur. The attempt to sur
prise the camp failed, and the tribesmen
were driven back. They returned, however,
and kept up the attack and siege night and
day for forty-eight hours. Finally the am
munition of the Goorl1has gave out
and Commissioner Quinton was obliged
to give the order to his men to save them
selves as best they could. During the fight
at the camp scouts were sent out to try to
communicate with Shillong, but they never
returned. The Manipur natives cut the
telegraph wires and killed the messengers.
Fugitives report that a general massacre fol-
lowed the taking of the camp.
One account of the affair reports that
Commissioner Quinton and his staff were
prisoners. Another account says that
Colonel Skene, the commander; Commits
sioner Quinton, with his son and daughter;
Captain Boileau and six officers were killed,
the natives refusing to give them quarter.
The rebellious tribe is famous for cunning,
cruelty and bravery.
Two native regiments stationed in Assam
have already been dispatched to Manipur.
The Third Bengal Infantry will also be sent
to the scene. The Viceroy of India has
abandoned his tour and has started for
Simla. Five regiments and a mounted bat
terry have been ordered to Manipur.