Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-12-01
BRITISH OFFICERS CASMlERED.
They Did Not Do Their Duty at the Time
Of the Manipur Massacre.

LONDON, Nov. 30.--The names OF Cap
aims Boileau and Butcher have been re.
moved from the list of officers in the
British army as the result Of long inquiry
into their action at the time Of the massacre
at Msnipur, on March IS la,t. when Chief
| Commissioner James w. Qninton, Agent
Z. ST. c. Grimwood. Col. Sksne, in com.
mand Of the commissioners Goorkha saeort
and a number Of British officers, together
with nearly 500 native soldiers In British
service, were killed.
Chief Commissioner Quinton, 10 will Be
remembered, had been investigating some
serious troubles which had occurred among
the chiefs at MAnipur and WAS holding .
durbar or conference with the chiefs with
the view, il was afterwards shown, Of AZ
resting the most turbulent those who had
previously deposed the Rsish Of Manipur.
rhe Msnipuri chiefs, however, got wind Of
The COMMISSIONER intentions and suddenly
the British res.dency aud the Goorkia camp
were tiercelv attacked by the Msnipuris,
who killed 40 Of the Goorkha esoort 10 I'D
dition TO a number OF British officers and
civilian officials.
II WAS upon this occasion that Mrs. Grim.
wood, the wife Of Political Agent Grim.
wood, escaped in company with Captains
then Lieutenants) Boileau and Butcher
and others from the general massacre and
made her way, after enduring terrible hard
chip. to Lskh,pur.
The investigation shows that Captains
Boiesu and Butcher failed to do their duty
after Col. Skene was killed, it being in
fefred from the brief staten Just issued
from the Horse Guards that the disgraccd
ilicers might have rallied the Goorkas and
t.v IA, II 80 h.tt
rebelliuus natives.
An account OF the Manipur mutiny writ
ten by Mrs Ethel st. Clair Grimwood, the
widow Of the political agent who was mas
sacred in company with other British officers
and Daiive troops, has just been published.
She and her husband had received many
benefits from the Senaputty, whom they
liked immensely. But even his friendship
for them could not prevent dismal forebod-
logs of the future from cIouding their
happiness.
The first symptoms Of strife in Manipur
appeared when the Sensputty and his
brother, Pucca Sienna, had q quarrel over
a lady named Msipakbi. who was said to bs
the most beSutiful woman in Manipur.
Their animosity grew every day
more bitter. From a personal quarrel 1t
WAS mAgniAed into a fsctionsl night, re-
sul,iDg in the seizure ny night OF the
palace which made the Maharajah seek
refuge in the British Residency. Blu. the
consequent change Of government was .
cbanse for the better. Many public works
we're erected and the people were happy
and contenied. But the Indian Govern
ment did not acquiesce in this new state Of
thngs.
Orders were transmitted by Chief Com
missioner Quinton to arrest the Senaputty.
The attempt was made. In retaliation the
Msnipuris attack d the Residency. Grim
wood and palnton were seized and butcher
I'd. A gallant band Of Ghoofkas fought
their way out Of the Residency accompan.
by Mrs. Grim~ood and the above named
officers, and after ten days march reached
the frontier.