Brighouse & Rastrick Gazette. — 1891-12-12 (Brighouse, West Yorkshire, England)

DEFEAT OF CHINESE REBELS.  A CARNIVAL OF BLOOD.  'The defeat of the Chinese rebels, has been complete and crushing. Both the dispatches received by Li Hung Chang and those from independent sources confirm this, says the Shanghai correspondent of the Daily Chronicle. The battle took place about 15 miles from Chao-Yang. There were about 4,500 Chinese troops, under Geveral Nieh. The rebels did riot exceed 3,009, but what they lacked in numbers they made up in daring. The Chinese General sought to outflank his opponents, but the rebels, constantly shifting their ground, defeated this manauvre. A large number of the rebels were mounted. In cavalry they exceeded the Imperial troops. The fight was stubborn. The rebels held their own for hours and even pressed their opponents back ; but the Imperial troops maintained the Struggle in a manner which does them the highest credit. A spirited charge by the Imperial troops threw the rebels into confusion. Those on foot were overwhelmed by weight of numbers and cut down. The mounted robbers retreated keeping up a running fight. No quarter was given. The wounded rebels were slaughtered on the field. About 1,100 were killed. General Melt, who headed the final charge, was wounded, but not seriously. The Imperial troops maintained the pursuit, but not in a very spirited fashion. The remnants of the rebel band made the best of their way to the mountains, burning, pillaging, and slaughtering wherever opportunity served. Such rebels as were overtaken and captured were at once executed. The Chinese General reports to Li Hung Chang that the behaviour of the Imperial troops was in the highest degree satisfactory. The European Consuls in the affected district confirm mainly the Chinese accounts of the defeat and dispersal of the rebel force. During the outbreak the massacre of native Christians has been general. The total murdered is estimated at 500. The number of European victims is unknown. All the British residents are safe.  The same correspondent adds that he has received further trustworthy advices from the front confirming the account of the battle. There is no room for doubt that the rebels have been completely crushed, and that the movement is at an end. The Chinese authorities at Shanghai are very jubilant over the rapid success of the Imperial forces, so much so that there is perhaps some danger that they make an exaggerated estimate of the power of China in dealing with people other than native insurgents. Further particulars confirming to the fullest extent the cablegrams respecting the massacre of Christians have reached the city from several sources. For some time there prevailed a veritable reign of terror—or carnival of blood. Even the innocent occupants of the orphanages established by the missionaries were not spared. Several of these institutions were attacked by the merciless hordes. The children anc. their native guardians were given no opportunity or option of escape. The buildings were fired, followed in nearly every case by an awful holocaust. Terrible scenes were witnessed on the roads along which the adult Christians fled in terror from the ruthless mobs. Many of the poor creatures fell loy the way of exhaustion,a.nd died where they fell. The course of their flight was still marked only last week by corpses from which the flesh had been partly devoured by pariah dogs.