THE SIKKIM EXPEOTION.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 318, 21 November 1888, Page 4

THE SIKKIM EXPEOTION.

A Gnatong telegram of the 28th September, published in the " Bombay Gazette,'' saj's :—: — Yesterday evening the Jalep column, under General Graham, letnrned from Gyabong, where they had bivouacked the previous night after a most successful expedition to Chumbi, where ib was ascertained that the Thibetan army, which numbered 11,130 soldiers, had been entirely broken up, and that thousands of men had passed through Chumbi returning to their home?, notwithstanding the efforts of their own officers to rally them. The bulk of the Pemberingo portion of the army escaped into Bhutan, their retreat by Chumbi having been cut off by the rapid advance of the Jalep column to Rinchiugong. Several of the prisoners have stated that at least 3,000 men from each of the enemy's columns were engaged during the \vhole of the night ot the '23rd in entrenching themcehes on 6he Tnkolx ridge, their works extending as far at least a.s 14 mile^, their right resting on a high conical hill immediately abo\e the Tukola Pass-, which was fortified, and their left resting on a hilt now known as Trigonometrical Point Towards the left centre of their position they occupied an isolated hill in advance, ] which flanked their main line in both | directions General Graham at on^e decided to divert his main attack on the hill on the enemy's right, which wa*. the key of their po&ition, as it took their position in flank and commanded their line of retreat to the Jalep Pass. Our plan of attack flas as lolinws : — .Major Ci aigie-Halketb with one company of the Derbyshire, two companies of Pioneers and two guns advanced against the enemy's left; General Giaham^with three companies of the Derbyshire, four companies of Gooikhas and four t;un*. under Major Keith, advanced a trains t the enemy's extreme litcht up on the high ground to the left of tho Tukola Road, while Colonel JBrovnhead, with three companies, was sent along the Tukola Road to engage the enemy's attention v\hile the main Attack developed. The three columns, left camp at 8.30 a. m. , | the enemy's position being paifcly enveloped in mist, w'-uch necessitated a s>low advance. Toward? 10 a.m., Major Keith's guns came into action. The centre column had boen bri&kly engaged for some time, and the riyht, column had shelled the enemy's, left. Shortly aftej wards the Pioneers and Goorkhas were ordered to advance, and the enemy's right was promptly carried. The enemy retreated in a disorganised mass- 1 uvards the Jalep and Pemberingo Passes under a heavy fire from our troops, who occupied <he Tukola and Nimla ridges successive'y. A halt was made on the Nimla, and di&- ! position? at once made for an attack on the passes. The guns, with the "Derbyshire and Goorkhas, formed the attacking column on the Jalep, which was taken without serious | resistance, and our troops bivouacked behind the second line of wall 1 * for the night ; the Pioneers, under Major Craigie-Halkett^ holding the Pemberingo Pass. The fovco advanced, as pre\iously telegraphed, on the 25th to Rinchingong, where a considerable number ot the enemy were seen coming from the direction of the Pemberingo. The front was evacuated on our approach, the enemy having previously broken down several bridges on our line of advance. The palace at Chumbi was occupied next day, and our troops returned aa previously stated. Our loss on the 24th was small, owing to the misb and formation of the ground, being only Colonel Bromhcad. severely wounded. The enemy's loss is probably 400 killed and as many wounded ; over 150 prisoners have also been taken. A later telegram states that Colonel Bromhead and the men Wounded in the action of the 24th are doing well, A sympathetic message from H.M. the QueenEmpress was received to-day regarding them. Search parties sent out on the 29fch till, have brought in 25 wounded Thibetans who are now under medical treatment. The weather at last appears to have become settled. Colonel Mitchell and a party of the 13fch Bengal Infantry have proceeded to Tumlong, the nominal capital of Sikkam, The Rajah, who was supposed to have gone to Chuinbi, in expected to arrive here in a few days. Rumours are current in camp that the Chinese Amba is on his way here from Lhaasa. His arrival, it is hoped, will settle the Sikkim difficulty. All information ab presonb received tends to confirm the opinion thai the Thibetans, who now number J59, are employed in de-

stroyiug the fortifications on fche Tukola and Jalep Passes, and in searching for wounded. News from Gunbok through Pakyong of 29fch September says : Having heard that some bad characters are preparing to plunder Tumlong, Col. Michell, with 50 men of the 13Lh Bengal Infantry and 10 men of the Sappers, under Lionb. Sandbaah accompanied by the Political Officer and the Phodong lama, started to-day for Kubbi on their way to Tumlong, this reconnaispanco being' necessai'y to the friendly party in Sikkim. The weather is now perfect.