654 Notes on Northern Cachar. [No. 7. 



In subsequent operations against the disaffected villages, who dis- 

 played no fear of our power, but frequently challenged us to come 

 on and fight disrespectfully calling our three-pounders "choongas" 

 or bamboo tubes, one action took place which resulted in their 

 gaining some experience of the object of their contempt. A large 

 body of the village of Kekremah, being obliged to retreat before 

 our troops and allies in a somewhat open piece of country, were 

 subjected to the influence of grape, and some three hundred were 

 placed hors-de-combat. But no advantage was taken of this victory, 

 and all the troops were shortly afterwards withdrawn from the hills, 

 Government having determined to abandon all control over the 

 country, and to mix itself no further in its petty internal warfare. 

 Our Angamie auxiliaries having raised for themselves a host of 

 enemies in their own country were offered sites and protection in 

 our territory, but preferred holding their own at home : and a 

 European officer was deputed to North Cachar with a body of troops 

 supposed to be sufficient to place the province in an effectual state 

 of defence. A strictly defensive policy has been maintained ever 

 since, and although several bloody forays have been lately made by 

 the Angamies on some of our villages in the plains, no measures 

 have been taken to retaliate. 



At present the eastern frontier of N. Cachar is defended by a 

 line of stockaded outposts, about fifteen or twenty miles apart, 

 between which communication is kept up by means of patrols, 

 the guards stop and disarm all foreigners approaching the frontier, 

 and although, owing to the intricacy of the country, they might 

 easily be evaded by a foe so subtle as the Angamie, yet the system 

 has hitherto been effectual, none of the enemy having attempted to 

 push through. 



Another, and I should think a far more effectual way of quieting 

 and civilizing this rude tribe, has lately been proposed by Lieut. 

 Bivar, and has been partially adopted. The Angamies are soldiers 

 both by nature and taste, and they evince the greatest eagerness to 

 get employment under us. Sanction has been given to the enter- 

 tainment of twenty recruits of the tribe in the Nowgong Militia as an 

 experiment, and the measure has succeeded beyond expectation, the 

 young men entertained having become good soldiers, and displaying 



