Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-04-02

A Camp of tioorishas Surprised and
Nearly Five Hundred Slain.


CALCUTTA, March 30.--A dispatch from
Manipur, province of Assam, brings news
of disaster to a force of native troops
there. II 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 result of his investi-
cation the chief commissioner was holding
durbar or conference with the notabili-
ties of Assam with the view of arresting
one of the prominent chiefs who had been
instrumental in deposing the raiah. The
chief commissioner while pursuing his in
quiries into the disputes between the chiefs,
occupied a camp which was garrisoned by
a strong force of Goorkhas, native infantry
in the British service. Suddenly this camp
was attacked by a number of hostile tribes
led by their chiefs. two days battle
during which some desperate fighting took
place, followed by the onslaught of the
tribesmen The Goorkhas fought most
determinedly against heavy Odds and ac-
cording to the report 40 of the Goorllhas
were Killed Seven of the British officers
who accompanied the chief commissioner
and that official himself are reported to be
missing.
CAUSE OF THE nAID.
The news of the massacre was brought
to Kohima, on the Assam frontier, by two
Goorkhas, who arrived there yesterday.
The massacre originated in a fued between
the raiah of Manipur and leading tribal
chief. The raiah was deposed and he APP
pealed to the viceroy. Mr.. Quinton was sent
to settle the trouble and started from the
headquarters atShillong escorted by the AL
and 44th Goorkhas light infantry. After
crossing the frontier Mr.. Quinton sum
moned the chiefs to durbar at Manipur
for the purpose of arrestlng the rebelliOus
chief. The tribesmcn, 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 sud-
denly attacked the camp of Commissioner
Quinton, which lay between Kohima and
Manipur.
The attempt to surprise the camp failed,
and the tribesmcn were driven back. They
returned however, and kept up the attack
and siege night and day for As hours.
Finally the ammunition of the Goorkhas
| gave out, and Commissioner Quinton was
obliged to give the order, ''Sauyc qui peut. -
During the fight at the camp scouts were
sent ont to try to communicate with Shil-
long, but they never returned. The Mani
| pur natives cut the telegraph wires and
killed the messengers, Fugitives report
that general massacre followed the taking
of the camp There is reason for believing
that the estimate that 40 were killed is
| incorrect.
GETTING READY FOR REPRIsALs.
One account of the affair reports that
Commissioner Quinton and his staff were
made prisoners. Another account says
that Colonel Skene, the commander, Com
missioner 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.
Immediately upon receiving the news Of
the disaster the viceroy, at Simla, sum
moned council. Two native regiments
stationed in Assam have already been dis
patched to Manipur. The Third Bengal
infantry will start for the scene to-
morrow.
The viceroy of India has abandoned his
tour and has started for Simla. Five regi-
ments and battery have been ordered to
Manipur.