Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-05-11
PUT TO FLIGHT.
Thibetans Get Worst of En-
counter With British.
Resistance Most Stubborn Until Turn
ing Of the fIanks.
Attempt to Oppose Col. Younshusband's
Mission Futile.

KarO Pass, Thibet, May 6,via Kalat-
80, May 8, 19O4.-Col. Brander, with 800
rifles and about twO-thirds Of the
Gyangtse garrison, reached here May
after q three days march, the purpose
of the journey being to disperse body
Of ThibetanS stationed here to oppose
the progress of Col. Younghusbands
mission. The Thibetans were put to
flight. losing $50 killed and wounded.
The British casualties were IS, includ-
ing five killed.
News reached here, Friday morning.
from Gyangtse Of a battle there Thurs
day, In which the Thibetans had 200
killed and 80 wounded, who now are be-
ing treated I'm the mission compounds
The battle at Gyangtse was the out
come of an attack on Col. Younghus-
band and his escort at early dawn
Thursday, by 50 men from DOngtse. The
attacking force arrived at Gyangtse
at midnight, the utmost secrecy being
observed respecting the approach. The
garrison, under command of Maj. Muir
ray, behaved with great gallantry and
beat off the attack successfully, though
the pick of the men had been taken for
the Karola expedition, including nearly
all the senior officers.
Among the special features 1t is note
worthy that the attack was delivered
shortly after the Karola force had
moved out, proving that the Thibetans
had some considerable forewarning Of
our intended action. The Thibetans still
remain in force and have occupied
Jong. 1900 yards away, whence they are
carrying on an Intellectual lombard
ment of the mission with the jingals.
The action of the Chinese general, in
not writing either to Col. Younghus-
band or to the Chinese joint commits
sioner, Mr.. Parr, an Englishman, stay
ing in Gyangtse town. giving Informal
ton of the proposed action of the Thi-
betans, suggests the existence of con-
siderable sympathy between the two
races nominally hostile and affords evil
dence of the extent to which the Thi-
betans have secured influence over
their late suzerains.
When Col. Brander with his rifles
camped here on the pass. Monday
night, 5000 feet up, the enemy. num-
bering 1900, was holding a wall three
miles ahead, well fianked by Sangars.
and elaborate preparations had been
made for hurting down rocks from both
sides of the gorge. Seven hundred of
the men were from Hams, the remain
der from Lhassa and this locality. The
enemy, after obstinate resistance, were
cleared from the well. The advance oc-
cupied 21a hours. most of the time in
q Delting hailstOrm.
The general plan Of attack was by n
thanking movement by one company of
,,,,I IL h.y,
Ultimately 1t was found necessary to
detach 4 small force of pioneers to scale
the precipice, 200 feet high. The enemy
then ran.
The gallantry both of the Sikhas and
the pioneers of either flank was most
conspicuous, as the resistance was
stubborn until the TANKS turned. When
that occurred the entire Thibetan force
fed from the wall. though they were
almost unscathed. The casualties of the
Thibetans during the actual fight were
about 20. and probably as many again
were lost during the pursuit by the
mounted infantry, who have not yet
returned. Our casualties were IS, in
Guiding five killed. Among the latter to
universal regret, was capt. Bethune.
who fell while leading his men to the
wall. The construction of this wall and
the choice of spot to defend reflect
credit on the Thibetans. 50 much so
that its abandonment must be due to
sheer cowardice. as it would have been
almost impossible to take it by frontal
attack. The enemy are largely using
Lhassa- made rifles and cartridges. in
stead Of matchlocks.
Col. Brander's column returns to
Gyangtse. Wednesday, where it's first
work will be the capture of Jong. which
the Thibetans have occupied. This ac-
ton of the Thibetans is merely further
proof of the stubbornness suggested in
Amban's letter and has altered the sit
uation entirely.