Telegram-herald. ([Grand Rapids, Mich.) 18??-1892, 1891-04-01
INDIAN MASSACRE
Details OF tbs Recent Bloody
Fight IN India
SCENES OF AWFUL CARNAGE ENACTED
fG 10 Believed That Total Of 500 british
and Native soldier, Were h lied
IA a. Outbreak over
Political ksud

a Aa G4-V14L-a- AA>-
patches received here by the govern
ment officers confirm the report of
the massacre Of Ghoorkas at Mani
pur, Ia the province OF Assam,
where about 40 Of these native
soldiers were slain oy hostile III oss-
men OF Assam after two days des-
perate lighting The fate of the Brit
ish officers who were IN command Of
the Ghoorkas and Of Chief Commits
sioner James w Quinton, who was
conducting the negotiation at the dur
bar for the arrest 81 a prominent chief
who had been instrumental in de
posing the IA iah of Manipur. is still I'M
certain, bat the viceroy of India, the
marquis Of I.ansdowne. believes that
all the officers and officials have either
met death al the hands of the re bel
liOus tribesmen of Assam or that they
are held as prisoners
In addition TO the disaster at Mani
pur, il is believed that force of Brit
ish troops composed Of detachment
of 200 soldiers of the Bengal infantry
and about eighty Ghoorkas were march
ing from Shillong 10 Manipur in
order To reinforce the Forty-sec-
ond and Forty-fourth Ghoorkas
light infantry. which composed
the escort of Chief Commissioner Quin-
ton, have also been attacked and have
shared the fate of their comrades
at Manipur. The Bengal infantry
detachment and the eighty Ghoor-
kas, il appears, were set upon
by the Assamese as the native
troops referred to were passing
through difficult and dangerous pass
and though they fought gallantly
against heavy odds, the rebel tribes
men, from the advantageous positions
which they occupied on the sid9s Of the
pass and ahead and behind the British
force, poured such a destructive fire
into the ranks of the Bengalese and
Ghoorkas that the latter are said TO
have been killed 10 man.
The viceroy is hurrying troops into
the province of Assam in order to
punish the hostiles. Reinforcements of
troops are also being sent into states
located in proximity to Assam in order
To prevent any possible disorder or
warlike outbreak which it is thought
might follow the spreading of the news
of the massacre of British troops at
Manipur.
The massacre originated in a 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 head
quarters at Shillong escorted by
the Fortysecond and Forty-fourth
light infantry. After crossing
moned the chiefs to durbar at Mani
pur for the purpose of arresting the re-
bellious chief The tribesmen, pre-
tending to obey the summons. mustered
in force and at midnight on the
day before that on which the
durbar was TO be held suddenly
attacked the camp of Commissioner
Quinton, which lay between Kohima
and Manipur. The attempt to surprise
the camp failed and the tribesmen were
driven back They returned however,
and kept up the siege night and day for
forty-eight hours. Finally the ammu-
milton of the Ghoorkas gave out and
Commissioner Quinton was Obliged &c
give the order: ''Sauve qui peut." Dur
ing 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. Fugi.
tives report that a general massacre
l. al e
There is reason for believing that the
estimate that 47O were killed is incor.
rect
One account of the affair reports that
Commissioner Quinton and his staff
were made prisoners. Another ac
count says that Col. Skenc. the com
mander, Commissioner Quinton witt
bis son and daughter. Capt Boilcat
and six officers were killed the natives
refusing to give them quarter. The re
bellious tribe is famous for cunning
cruelty and bravery.
Immediately upon receiving the news
of the disaster the viceroy at Sinls
summoned council and two native
regiments stationed in Assam have al
ready been dispatched 10 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 anc
mountain battery have been ordered
10 Manipur.