The Ever-victorious Army a History of the Chinese Campaign Under Lt-Col C. G. Gordon, CB, RE, and of the Suppression of the Tai-Ping Rebellion

PREFACE TACK xiii LIST OF TAI-PING WANGS OR CHIEFS, XXV LIST OF LEADING EVENTS, . xxviii I.TST OF ENGAGEMENTS BETWEEN THE TAI-PINGS AND DISCIPLINED IMPERIALISTS, 1 862-64. xxxi PART I. THF. nRir.TM OF THF. R F.RF.I .MONT. CHAPTER I. THE PRINCIPLES OF THE CHINESE STATE. Relations between the Past and Present of China—Antiquity of the Chinese Nation and Government—The doctrine of Filial Piety—Advancement of able men to official posts—Geographical isolation of China—The Chinese language politically considered—The Doctrine of Harmony—A successful ideal state—Symmetrical oneness of the Chin^ state—Sages, Worthies, and Worthless—Chinese political action founded on a Christian principle — The harmony of relationships— Feeling against the employment of force in government—»Respcct for age and learning—Education universal in China—Position and titles of the Emperor—Mutual responsibility, Digitized by Googk VI CONTENTS. CHAPTER II. PREPARATIONS FQlL_TAL-PINCi>OM. Eastern reverence for antiquity—The Astatic Hebrew—The Indo»Aryan— » Chinese ideal of happy life— Chinese rcl>elUons and revolutions—The balance of power—Mongol and Manchu conquests—Secret societies—The Opium war, and increasing tU-sorganisation of China, . . . 22-34 CHAPl'ER 111 . THE TIF.N WANf; AND HIS HISTORY UP TO 1860. Hung Sew-tsuen^s origin—His position as a Hakka—His trances and superstitions— The terrible character of his career—His personal appearance The Tai-ping Wangs—Munlerof the Eastern King—Hung*s jealousy of his chiefs—The Rcl>el capital constantly besiegetl, . . . 35*45 PART II OUR COLLISION WITH THE REBELS. CHAPTER IV, REVIVAL OF THE REBELLION, AND ITS CONFLICT WITH FOREIGNERS. State of the Rebellion in 1859—Despair of the Tai-pings—Change in their prospects caused by the new difTiculty between China and Great Britain — SankoHnsin—The Taku disaster of 18^9—Relief of Nanking—The Taiping outbreak into Kiangsoo—The taking of Soochow—The advance on Shanghai—British neutrality— The Peking expedition—Imperial application for British assistance—The Allies determine to defend Shanghai ** General” Frederick Ward—The capture of Sungkiang—Savage—Re« pulse by Foreigners of the Tai-ping attack on Shanghai, « . 49~^7 Digitized by Googk CONTENTS. Vll CHAPTER V. TAt-PlNG REVERSES IN THE YANGTSZE VALLEY, AND A THANGF. OF Pm.irV AT PFKlVr.. The Tien Wang’s indifference—Tai-ping plans in i860—Four armies set in motion—British agreement with the Rebels—Neutrality strictly enforced —Arrest of Ward—Failure of the Rebel movements—Success of the Tni . pings in Chekiang—Reasons for keeping them from Shanghai and Ningpo —Death of the Emperor Hien-fiuig— Prince Kung's amp d’Jtat, . 68-79 CHAPTER VI. ALLIED OPERATIONS ROUND SHANGHAI IN 1862. The Tai-pings worsted without our aid—Their second advance on Shanghai The country people apply for protection against them—The Allies resolve to clear a thirty-mile radius—The taking of Kading, &c.—Death of Admiral Protet—The Faithful King retrieves the Rebel cause—Forrester’s captivity—The end of the Heroic King—The Faithliil King recalled to Nanking—The Allies confine themselves to Shanghai and Sungkiang — Reception of the news of Ward’s death—His burial —Burgevine appointed in his place—Li made Futai of Kiangsoo—Their quarrel—General Staveley asked to appoint a British officer—Burgevine assaults Ta Kee—His dismisaal—Captain Holland appointed to command the Ever-Victorious Army by General Sir Charles Staveley, 80-04 CHAPTER VH. CAPTAIN dew’s operations IN CHEKIANG. British neutrality at Ningpo—Hostile attitude of the Tai-pings—Admiral Hope sends Captain Dew, R.N., to Ningpo—Reasons for our interference there—Apak, the ex-pirate—Captain Dew takes Ningpo by assault—Death of Lieutenants Kenney and Comewall—Order restored in the city—Formation of French and English corps of disciplined Chinese—Description of the sniTounding conntry, and effects of Tai-|>ing occupation—Clearing a thirty-mile radias—taking of Yuyow and Tseki—Death of General Ward —Repulse at Fungwha—Commander Jones in a fix—A Bishop’s spoil— Half of Chekiang restored to Imperial mle—Pay of the Anglo-Chinese contingent—Rebel defeat at Pikwan—Captain Dew goes beyond the thirtymile radius—Advance on Showshing— Death of Captain Le Brethon de Coligny—Description of Showshing—Deaths of Captain Tardilf and Lieutenant Tinling—Captain Dew undertakes the siege—Fall of Showshing— Dashing nature of Captain Dew’s exploits, 9.S-t 30 Digitized by Google vm CONTENTS. PART III. COLONEL GORDON’.S CAMP.\IGN. CHAPTER Vni. THE ORGANISATION OF GORDON’S FORCE. Chinese partiality for beautiful phraseology—The title “ Ever- Victorious Amiy"—Captain Hollanj’s defeat at Taitsan, and Major Brennan's at Fushan—Colonel Gordon appointed to command the E. V. A.—His previous iiervices—Its o65cer!i and privatev— Rates of pay—Its artillery and small-arms—The punishmenta inflicted—Chinese aptitude for drill — Colonel Gordon’s flotUla—-The steamer Hyson and Captain Davidson— • The auxiliary Imperialist force—Aptitude ol the Chinese for war—For the work of sappers—Colonel Gordon’s tactics—Expenditure of the Chinese Government—Colonel Gordon’s view of his position and the authority under which he acted, 123-141 CHAPTER IX. CORDON’S FIRST VICTORIES. Bargevine’s visit to Peking—Tiie British Minister wishes him restored to com* mand—Colonel Gordon takes command of the tl.V.A.~~His Staff— C>p« ture of Fushan—Gordon receives an Imperial commission, with the rank of Tsung-ping—Governor Lfs opinion of the new commander—Descrip* tion of the theatre of war—An amphibioixs boat—Tai*ping treachery at Taitsan—Capture of Taitsan—Alleged Imperialist cruelties—Chinese punishments — Letter from Colonel Gordon—A mutinyin the Force—Situa* tion of Quinsan—A demon steamboat—Great destruction of Tai«pings — Capture of Quinsan—>It is made headquarters of the Force—Another mutiny, 142-165 CHAPTER X. DURG£V1NE*S HISTORY AND fATE. A third mutiny—Situation of Soochow—Gordon^s troubles ~Burgevinc*s previous career—He joins the Tai*pings—Alarm caused in Shanghai Gordon*s providential escape—The Foreign Allies desert the Rcijcls—Po* lite interchanges i>ctween l^uigcvine and Jones—Bmge\4nc attempts again to join the Tai-pings—His seizure by the Chinese authorities—His re» ported accidental death—The doubt which rests over his fate, 166*182 CHAPTER XT. THE FALL OF SOOCHOW, AND THE EXECUTION OF ITS WANGS. The investment of Soochow— Storming of Leeku—Gordon^s ** Magic Wand** —Death of Captain Perry—Disposal of the i?esieging forces—The Faithful King’s apprehensions—Complete investment of Soochow—Pirating of the steamer Firefly—»A disastrous night-attack—Capture of the East Gate Digitized by Google CONTENTS. IX stockades—Negotiations for surrender—Murder of the Moh Wang— A characteristic letter from Colonel Gordon—The capitulation of Soochow —Gordon’s perilous position—His grief and indignation— His search for Governor Li—Execution of the Wangs—Li’s reasons for that act—Gordon refuses to act, and rejects an Imperial douceur—Imperial decree regarding the fall of Soochow, 183-208 CHAPTER XII. CORDON’S FURTHER OPERATIONS. 1 mperialist successes—Inactivity of the Ever-Victorious Army—Gordon’s reasons for retaking the field—Mr Hart’s report on the Soochow “ Massacre” —Sir Frederick Bruce approves of the resumption of operations—A letter from him—Gordon retakes the field—State of the country occupied by Rebels—Evacuation of Vesing and Liyang—Severe repulse at Kintang — Colonel Gordon wounded—Tai-ping advance towards Qninsan—Gordon suffers a disastrous repulse at Waisoo—Fate of his captured officers—Imperialist successes in Chekiang—Geath of General Ching—Li’s memorial of him—Taking of Hangchow—Capture of Waisoo—Cruelty of the villaficrs —The Rebellion near its end—Death of Major Tapp—Repulse at Chanchu— A Tai-ping letter—Storming of Chanchu—Death of the Hu Wang—Close of the services of the E. V. A., .... 209-240 CHAPTER XIII. THE DISSOLUTION OF GORDON’S FORCE, AND A REVIEW OF ITS RESULTS. Expulsion of the Tai-pings from Kiangnan—Recall of H.M. order [rermitting British officers to serve the Emperor—Gordon determines, on his ou-n responsibility, to dissolve his force—Appreciation of his conduct by the Chinese—Gratuities to wounded officers—Dissolulionof theEver-Viclorinns Army—Distinctions conferred on Gordon— Imperial decree recognising his services—anxiety of Sir Harry Parkes—Letter from Governor Li, claiming a chief share in the overthrow of the Tai-pings—Address to Colonel Gordon from the merchants of Shanghai—The difficulties Gordon had to encounter—Opinion of the ‘ Times ’—An estimate of the military results of his campaign—The political effects of his action—The Imperial maritime customs and the Lay-Osbom fleet—Mr laty’s attempt to make himself an impfrium in imptrio—His failure, and dismissal from the Chinese service—His use of .Sir F. Bruce’s private letters—Appointment of Mr Hart—The general effects of Gordon’s action discussed, . . a4i-a66 CHAPTER XIV. THE MEDICAL ARRANGEMENTS OF GORDON’S FORCE. Rudimentary state of medical science in China—Assistant-Surgeon Moffitt’s services to Gordon’s force—Capacity of the Chinese as soldiers—Malaria —Organisation of the medical department—Hospital tables of disease Effects and cure of opium-smoking—Dysentery—Table of wounds received in action—Cases of wounds, 267-277 Digitized by Google X CONTENTS. PART IV. THE END OF THE T.M-riNGS. CHAPTER XV. A VISIT TO TSENG KWO-KAN—SKETCHES OF NATIVE A.ND F.Nr.l.lSH OFFICIAI-S IN CHINA. Tseng Kwo-tsun—View of Nanking anJ the Imperialist lines—Appearance of Tseng Kwo-fan—Gordon’s conversation with him—Generals Paou and Ping—Chinese mandarins—Mandarin buttons—Ki Ying’s history—His ode on leaving Canton—His treatment by Lord Elgin, and his fate—Veh and Pih Kwei—Kweiliang and Hwashana—Sankolinsin—Su Shu-en and the Princes of I and Ching—Shting Pow—Prince Kung—Wan See-ang, the present Premier of China—Li Hung Chang—Tseng Kwo-fan, Gener& lissimo of all the Chinese forces—Sir [ohn Bowring— Lord Elgin—Sir Frederick Brace—Sir R. Alcock—Mr Wade, Sir Harry Parkes, and Mr lay—Mr T. T. hteadows—Admiral Hope and Captain Dew—Generals Staveley and Brown—Colonel Gordon and Mr Hart, 281-317 CHAPTER XVT. THE FALL OF NANKING AND THE LAST STRUGGLES OF THE TAI-PINCS. The Tien Wang’s indifference and seclusion—Sweet dew—His wisdom and good fortune—Complete investment of Nanking—Despair of the Faithful King—lAst days of Hung Sew-tsuen—His death and burial—His son E~u-tien ascends the throne—The fall of Nanking— Capture of the Faithful King—Hb character and autobiography—His execution— Fate of the Shield King and of the young monarch-—Stale of Nanking when captured —Report on its condition by Vice-Consul Adkins—Reception of the news at Peking—Imperial decree—The fall of Wuchu—Exi»riences of Patrick Nellis—Retreat of the Tai-ping remnant through Kiangsi into Fukien — They appear at Changchow, near Amoy—Manifesto of the Attendant King —Their dispersion and final disappearance—Fate of the I Wang, 318-342 CHAPTER XVII. NlFH-FEt AND MOHAMMEDAN RF.BEl.S. Meaning of the name Nien-fei—Origin of these rebels—Their character and tactics—Weakness of the central government in China—Political parties —Sankolinsin and Tseng Kwo-fan— Death of Sankolinsin—Varying fortune of the Nien-fei— Li Hung-chang appointed to the command against them—His suppression of them—Relationships between China and Mohammedanism— The Mohammedan Rebels in Shensi—Their retreat into Kansuh—The province of Hi and its relation to China—The Miaoutsz and Hakkas, 343-35S Digitized by Google CONTENTS. XI CHAPTER XVIII. THE PRESENT AND FUTURE OF CHINA. China at present in a period of disturbance and transition—Causes of such periods—(^vgr-population—Falsehoods regarding the prevalence of infanticide— Dangers of prosperity—China’s present favourable position — Crushing of the Nien-fei rebels—Degradation of Li Hung-chang—Europcan gunboats and artillery employed by the Govermnent—Military re* form~Servlces of a British officer required—China’s foreign relation.ships —Foreigners have provoked hostility—Spaniards and Portuguese—Opium versus tea—English merchants in China—The East India Company— Opening of the five ports—Remarkable success of our merchants—Their dissatisfaction—The Treaty of Tientsin—Our merchants ruined by the open» ing of China—Over-trading—Tea sold cheaper in London than in China —Complaints as to exactions on the transit of goods—Memorials of the Angio-Chinese Chamt>ers of Commerce—Janlinc, Matheson, & Co. on the opium traffic, and on access to the interior of China—Net results of an aggressive policy—A prophecy by Wan See-ang—Danger of our trade passing into Chinese hands, . '^S6-382 APPENDICES LIST OF CHINESE TITLES, CIVIL AND MILITARY, . . LIST OF OFFICERS AND OTHER EUROPEANS KILLED AND WOUNDED DURING COLONEL GORDON'S CAMPAIGN IN 1863 AND 1864,...... 384 OFFICERS WHO DISTINGUISHED THEMSELVF.S, . . 386 ARRANGEMENTS FOR PLACING THE EVER - VICTORIOUS ARMY UNDER THE JOINT COMMAND OF CHINESE AND FOREIGN OFFICERS, APPOINTED BV HIS EXCELLENCY THE FUTAI AND GENERAL STAVELEY, CB., .... 388 “ TI-PING TIEN-KWOH,” ..... 389 STATE.MF.NT OF GEORGE BAFFEY, A PRISONER SENT TO H.B.M. CONSULATE, CANTON, BY THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES, . 393 LIST OF THE CHINESE NAMES OF PLACES NEAR SHANGHAI, . 395 Digitized by Google LIST OF MAPS. TO FACE I'ACB I. Map of China, tofate title-page. 3. Sketch-Map of the Routes taken by the Rebel Forces during the years 1851-65, .... 48 3. Map illustrating the Operations of the Chung and Ying Wangs, 1855-64, ..... 68 4. Sketch - Map of the Operations against the Rebels, 1862-64, ...... 122 5. Sketch of Taitsan and Quinsan, .... 142 6. Sketch of Country ravaged by Rebels, March 1864, . 209