The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-04-01
Eight British Officers Re-
ported Killed.
The Battle Ragged Fiercely for
TWO Days.
Nearly Five Hundred GOOrk-
has MaSsacred.
A Tribal Feud the Cause of the
Outbreak.

CALCUTTA, March 30.-A dispatch from
Manipur, Province of Assam, brings news
of a disaster TO force of native troops
there. 1t seems that Mr.. James w. Quin-
ton, the chief commissioner of Assam, has
recently been investigating some serious
troubles which have occurred among the
native chiefs. As a result of his investi-
CATION the chief commissioner was hold
ing durbar or conference with the nota-
bles of Assam with the view of arrest
ing one of the prominent chiefs who had
been instrumental in deposing the ra jah.
The chief commissioner, while pursuing
inquiries concerning the disputes between
the chiefs, occupied a camp which was gar
risoned by strong force OF goorkhas-na-
tive infantry in the British service. Sud
denly this camp pwas attacked by number
of hostile tribes led by their chiefs. A two
days battle, during which some desperate
fighting took place, followed the onslaught
OF the tribesmen. The gOorkhas fought most
determinedly against heavy odds, and, ac-
cording to the report, 40 of the goorkhas
were killed. Seven of the British officers
who accompanied the chief commissioner
and that official himself are reported to be
missing.
The news of the massacre was brought
to Kokima, on the Assam frontier, by two
Goorkhas, who arrived there yesterday.
The massacre originated in feud between
the rajah of Manipur and leading tribal
chief. The rajah was deposed and he
appealed to the viceroy. Mr.. Quinton was
sent to settle the trouble, and started from
the headquarters at Shillong, escorted
by the Forty-second and Forty-fourth
Goorkha infantry.
After crossing the frontier Mr.. Quinton
summoned the chiefs to a durbar at
Manipur for the purpose of arresting the
rebellious chiefs. The tribesmen, pre-
tending to obey the summons, mustered
in force, and at midnight. on the day be-
fore the day on which the durbar was to
be held. suddenly attacked the camp OF
Commissioner Quinton, which lay be-
tween kOkima and AianipuT. The at
tempt TO surprise the camp failed and the
tribesTdeu were driven back. They re-
turned. however, and kept up the attack
and siege night and day for forty-eght
hours. Finally the ammunition of the
GoOrkhas gave out and Commissioner
Qulnton was Obliged to give the order
''sauve qui pout."
During the fight at the camp scouts
were sent out to try and communicate
with Shillong, but they never returned.
The Manipur natives cut the telegraph
wires and killed the messengers. Fugl-
tives report that general massacre fol-
lowed the taking Of the camp. There is
reason for believing that the estimate that
410 we're killed is incorrect. One account
OF the affair reports that Commissioner
Quinton and his stad were made prison
ers. Another account SAYS that Col.
Skene, the commander, Commissioner
QuintOn, with his son and daughter, Capt.
Boileau and six officers were killed. The
natives refused to give them quarter.
The rebelliOus tribes are famous for cum
ming, cruelty and bravery.
Immediately upon receiving the news
OF the disaster the vicerov at Simla sum
moned a council. Two native regiments,
stationed in Assam, have already been
dispatched to Manipur. The Third Ben
gal infantry is en- route to the scene.
The vieeroy of India has abandoned his
tour and has started for Simla. Five regi-
ments and mounted battery have been
ordered TO Manipur.
LONDON, March 31.-All the morning
dallies comment upon the gravity OF the
Manipur rebellion and the necessity of
strong measures TO retrieve British pres
tige. Some OF the papers think Commits
sioner Quinton's force was inadequate and
that he committed biunder in underrat-
ing the strength of the enemy