In July 1884, after the Ao Nagas of Manmatung cut up the bodies of Lhota traders and looted their belongings within British territory, McCabe was assigned under Lieutenant Tieman for a punitive expedition.
Manmatung was burnt without opposition despite significant defence, and the expedition succeeded in capturing the murderers and perpetrators.
McCabe was assigned head of the garrison and set out from Silchar to Fort Aijal to restore order.
[5] McCabe recorded Khalkam's statement on breaking his oath with Captain Browne, the meeting of the chiefs to conspire the rising and the plan of action decided upon.
In a separate report, McCabe recorded the order of influence of the Western Lushai chiefs to form a pacification policy around the most influential.
McCabe recorded Lengpunga's statement where he admitted to acting under his brother Khalkam the paramount western Lushai chief.
[6] Lengpunga admitted to participating in the attack on Brown through his men and for firing on the reinforcement under Lieutenant Swinton during the relief force at Fort Aijal.
The British maintained the composure of the force and fired constant valleys to scatter the Lushai warriors.
The Eastern Lushais could not withstand the fight against the British and in desperation turned to ally their traditional enemies.
McCabe would then advance east of the Sonai river to capture Bungteya, Lalruya, Tankampa, Vangpunga and Poiboi's mother.
Rangiya was a trouble centre, as a result McCabe initiated a meeting with delegations of the people in his camp to make a report on the no tax campaign in Kamrup district.
As a result, a crowd of 2000 wielding canes and sticks arrived at the Rangiya Police Station to demand release.
[6] Chatterjee argues that McCabe's skilful handling of the situation prevented the peasant revolt from turning violent.
he identified the exploited nature of the peasantry as opposed to the scheming violence of the hill tribes at the time.
[13] The peasant revolt met a gory end as district magistrate Darang led the police into a confrontation leading to deaths of several on 24 January 1895.
McCabe's wife, Mabel Faulknor, was not allowed to mourn her husband's death in the immediate aftermath.
A letter recounting the burial would state, 'It had been so terrible, they could not get a coffin, so he was buried only in a sheet & the grave was full of water.
[18] On 29 June 1897, the London Gazette stated the Queens intention to posthumously award Robert Blair McCabe with the Compansionship of the Most Exalted Order of the Star of India for recognition of his merits among the Nagas and Lushais.