CHIN-LUSHAI. 1889–90.

The tribes inhabiting the Chin Hills and the Lushai country situated between our Indian and Burmese frontier, had for some years occasionally made incursions into British territory, culminating, on February 3rd., 1888, in an attack on a surveying party under Lieutenant Stewart, 100th. Leinster, in which that officer and two of his men were killed, after a gallant resistance. A punitive expedition was formed, which was divided into two columns, one operating from Burmah against the Chin tribes, under Brigadier-General Symons, in chief command; and the other, commanded by Brigadier Tregear, advanced from Chittagong against the Lushais in November, 1889. The tribesmen made feeble opposition, but as the troops were unprovided with tents, owing to the difficulty of transport, they suffered very severely from sickness, both Europeans and Natives; the Punjaub Coolies suffering most of all. The jungle, through which the troops had to make roads, was very unhealthy; a dense greenish mist being almost always prevalent, and the vegetation soaking wet. During the month of February some skirmishes took place, and a stockade or two was captured, but the natural difficulties of the country, and the climate, were the greatest obstacles to the expedition. The villages and crops of the tribes being destroyed, and they, finding the troops gradually closing in around them on all sides, and roads made through places they had regarded as impassable, grew disheartened and anxious for peace. Their chiefs hastened to tender their submission, and two of them who had been implicated in the attack on the party of Lieutenant Stewart, surrendered (on the assurance that their lives would be spared), and restored the head of that unfortunate officer, with the guns and instruments they had taken in their raid.

A strong fort was erected in a position which commanded the adjacent country, and being connected with posts garrisoned by the Frontier Police, would render hostile incursions by the tribes almost impossible in the future. On April 30th., 1890, the expeditionary force was broken up, having been completely successful. The only European troops employed were: 1st. Battalion 22nd. Cheshire, and 1st. Battalion 25th. Scottish Borderers, in the Burma column.

The officers and men who had already gained the Indian Medal, received the clasp only, inscribed “Chin-Lushai, 1889–90,” and a bronze medal and clasp was given to the authorised Government followers who accompanied the troops.

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