Bhootan, 1864-6.—The Umbeyla campaign was but the precursor of another, for that restless spirit which seems to thrive so well on the frontier engendered another outbreak, and disturbances among the Bhootanese in 1864 necessitated the sending of an expedition of four columns to invade Bhootan, a district to the north-east of India. The left column met with little opposition at Dhalimcote, where the fort was bombarded and stormed, or at Bhumsong, where the stockaded positions were evacuated without a shot being fired by the enemy, although they made something of a stand at Chamoorchee. Buxa was taken by one column, and while another pressing on to the Barungah Pass found small opposition, the other reached Bisheusing unmolested. The annexation of Bhootan was then formally declared. In 1865, however, the inhabitants endeavoured to free themselves from British dominion, and rather determined fighting ensued; at the various places already mentioned attacks were made upon the garrisons, and it became evident that stronger force was necessary to hold the country. Reinforcements were hurried forward under Brigadier-General Tombs, C.B., V.C., but after the defeat of the Bhootanese at Dewangari, a hill post at the summit of the Dungarah Pass, hostilities came to an end, and with a stronger permanent military establishment peace was ensured, but not effectually until in 1866 a force of 7,000 men was sent into the country. This determined attitude on the part of the Indian Government resulted in the Deb Rajah of Bhootan signing a treaty of peace.

SEVEN PHASES OF QUEEN VICTORIA'S LIFE AS REPRESENTED ON THE OBVERSE OF HER WAR MEDALS.

1881

The following regiments were engaged in the campaign, for which a bar was granted on April 28th, 1870: 55th and 80th Foot; 2 batteries of Royal Artillery; 2nd Goorkas; 11th, 12th, 18th, 43rd, and 44th Bengal Infantry; 5th and 14th Bengal Cavalry; 19th, 29th, and 30th Punjab Infantry.

Looshai.—The introduction of tea-planting into Assam, and the consequent immigration of Europeans, encouraged the predatory hill tribes of the vicinity to extend their depredations, and the Looshai expedition had to be organised to punish the tribes which had been making incursions into the fertile districts at the foot of the mountains. Two columns were sent into the district. One under General Bouchier, composed of native troops with artillery sappers, advanced from Cachar, and so harassed the Looshais that they sued for peace, but it was hardly agreed to before they attacked the British column and wounded the commander. The right column, which had set out from Chittagong, joining hands with the left, assailed the stronghold of Lungvel, and taking it by storm burnt it. The payment of an indemnity was then agreed to, likewise the residence of Government agents in the Looshai villages.

The troops engaged in the operations, which extended from December 1871 to February 1872, were native troops only: 2nd and 4th Goorkas; 22nd and 27th Punjab Infantry; 42nd and 44th Assam Infantry; a battery of Peshawar Mountain Artillery; two companies of Sappers and Miners, and 100 Native Police. The troops were under the command of British officers.