Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-04-02
WAR IN ASSAM.
A British Force Massacred After a
Desperate Resistarco.
SEVEy ENGLISH OFFICERS SLAIN.
The Remainder GoOrkha Infantry-The
Trouble Due to the Natives DepOsing
Rajah-TroOps Ordered to the Re-
belIious District.

CALCUTTA, March 3l-A dispatch
from Manipur, province of Assam,
brings news of a disaster to a force of
native troops there. 1t seems that Mr..
James w. Quinton, the chief commits
sioner Of Assam, has recently been in
vestigating some serious trouble which
has occurred amoHg the native chiefs.
As a result of his investigation the chief
commissioner was holding a durbar or
conference with the nGtabilities of As
sam, with view of arresting one of
the prominent chiefs who had been in
strumental in deposing the rajah
The chief commissioner, while pur-
suing his inquiries into the disputes be-
tween the chiefs, occupied a camp
which was garrisoned by strong force
of Goorkhas, native infantry in the
British service. Suddenly the camp
was attacked by number of hostile
tribes led by their chiefs A two days
battle, during which some desperate
fighting took place, followed the on
slaught of the tribesmen. The Goor-
khas fought most desperately against
the heavy odds, and according to re-
port 40 of the Goorkhas were killed.
Seven of the British officers who ac-
eompanied the chief commissioner and
that official himself are reported to be
missing.
The news of the massacre was brought
to Kohlina, on the Assam frontier, by
two Goorkhas, who arrived there yes
terday. The massacre originated in a
feud between the rajah of Manipur and
a 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 headquar-
ters at Shillong, escorted by the Forty
second and Forty-fourth Goorl1ha in
fantry.
After crossing the frontier Mr.. Quin-
ton summoned the chiefs to durbar at
Manipur for the purpose of arresting
the rebellious chiefs. The tribesmeu,
pretending to obey the summons, mus
tered in force, and at midnight on the
day before on which the durbar was to
be held, suddenly attacked the camp of
Commander Quinton, which lay be-
tween Kohima 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 the ammunition
of the GoOrkhas gave out and Commis-
sioner Quinton was obliged to give the
order 'sauve qui peut."
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. Flu
gitives report that general mas acre
followed the taking of the camp.
There is reason for believing that the
estimate that 40 were killed is incor-
ret One account of the affair reports
that Commissioner Quinton and his.
staff were made prisoners. Another ac-
count says that Col. Skene, the COM
mander; Commissioner Quinton, with
his son and daughter: Cap. Bileau and
six officers were killed The natives re-
fused to give them quarter. The re-
bellious tribes are famous for cunning,
cruelty and bravery.
Immediately upon receiving news of
the disaster the viceroy of Simla sum-
moned council. Two native regiments
stationed in Assam have already been
dispatched to Manipur. The Third
Bengal infantry will start for the scene
to-day.
The viceroy of India has abandoned
his tour and has started for Simla. Five
regiments and a mounted battery have
been ordered to Manipur.