Consequently, Lord Landsdowne, the Viceroy of India, against the advice of Frank Grimwood, decided to despatch a small military mission, under the command of a Commissioner Quinton, for the purpose of arresting Tikendrajit Singh, the key instigator of the coup.

The following day the British attempted to negotiate an end to hostilities by sending a party of officers including Quinton and Grimwood into the palace.

Realising their precarious position the surviving officers abandoned the Residency and lead a retreat back to British-held territory, accompanied by Ethel.

Although distraught at the loss of her husband, Ethel showed great strength of character and was instrumental in guiding the retreating party as she was the only person familiar with the terrain.

Ethel Moore was left with an elder half-brother Alan Maxwell Boisragon in addition to younger sisters.

[2] On 21 September 1890, prince Kulachandra Singh led his brothers in a revolt against reigning Maharaja Surchandra who had taken power after Maharajah Chandrakirti died.

However Surchandra appealed to the Viceroy of India, Lord Lansdowne, who dispatched 400 Gurkhas under the inexperienced James Wallace Quinton to arrest the conspirators.

The following night, the British decided to attack the fort where Tikendrajit was residing, but soon realized they were outmatched; eventually, they were surrounded by Manipuri troops.

[1] On 27/28 March 1891, Colonel Charles James William Grant led a punitive force from Tamu, Burma to assist.

Queen Victoria sought her advice as she thought using capital punishment on a prince might make the British appear treacherous.

Grimwood assured the Queen that she did not hold Tikendrajit responsible for her husband's death, but she felt that he had committed other crimes.