SHANGHAI DURING THE TAIPING REBELLION-(continued)

. Foreigners Adopt an Aggressive Policy

More and more it became apparent that the policy of defensive neutrality was futile, and that the safety of Shanghai could only be secured by aggressive measures in co-operation with the Imperialist forces. Admiral Hope permitted the transport in British steamers of 9,000 troops of Tseng Kuo-fan's army, from Anking to Shanghai, and after consultation with his French colleague, Admiral A. L. Protet, it was agreed to clear the country of the Taiping marauders within a 30-mile radius of Shanghai. This was approved by the British and French authorities, and it was decided to transfer the British troops in garrison at Tientsin to Shanghai. For the carrying out of the new policy, the assistance of Ward's unit was sought.

Admiral Hope in writing to Mr. Bruce said, "in the force organized and led by Mr. Ward I see the nucleus and beginning of a military organization, which may prove most valuable in the distracted state of China."

The 30-Mile Radius

By the arrival of the garrison from the North, the Allied force was increased to 2,824 men, and these with the 1,000 troops under Ward were thought sufficient for the carrying out of an aggressive campaign. The command was exercised jointly by Admiral Hope, Admiral Protet, General Staveley, who had come with the troops from Tientsin, and General Ward, but the general direction of operations was entrusted to Admiral Hope.

Victories were gained over the rebels at Waykiatze, Tsipao, Nanziang, Kiating, Tsingpu, Nankiao and Tselin (Cholin).

Admiral Protet, a man of remarkable bravery, was killed in the assault on Nankiao. His remains were taken to Shanghai and his funeral was attended by many influential Chinese. An Imperial decree was issued, extolling the Admiral and commanding that a sacrifice be offered to his spirit.

The Summer of 1862

The gains made by the allied troops were not retained for any length of time, as the Imperialist garrisons proved unable to hold them. Owing to the oppressive heat of the summer weather, and to the prevalence of cholera, the troops retired to Shanghai and for a time there was a cessation of hostilities.

During this period, the Volunteer Mounted Rangers, a force consisting of about 20 young men of the Settlements, were of great service, reconnoitring the country and bringing back reports of the movements of the enemy.

Chung Wang, the rebel leader, exasperated by frequent defeats, was stirred to greater activity, and with a large force penetrated as far as the Bubbling Well, within two miles of the Settlement boundary, which at that time was at Defence Creek. Refugees, in great numbers, flocked into the Settlements, increasing the Chinese population to 500,000.

Only Sungkiang and Nankiao remained in the hands of the allied troops, and the outlook was serious. Although the foreign Powers had now espoused the cause of the Imperialists, the rebels continued to obtain large supplies of guns and ammunition from foreign firms in Shanghai and undoubtedly they were thus enabled to prolong the rebellion.

Death of General Ward

Ningpo fell into the hands of the Taipings on December 9th, 1861, and from that centre a campaign was directed against the surrounding towns. General Ward's help was solicited to resist the advance of the rebels. In an attack on Tzeki, a town about 10 miles north-west of Ningpo, on September 21, 1862, he was killed by a stray bullet.

Thus ended the adventurous career of one who had proved himself a loyal servant of the Imperialist cause. General Gordon paid the following tribute to his memory, "He was a brave, clear-headed man, much liked by the Chinese Mandarins, and a very fit man for the command of the force he had raised."

Later, on March 10th, 1877, a Memorial Hall was erected by Imperial order at Sungkiang, containing a spirit tablet before which incense was burnt. In recent years an annual pilgrimage has been made to this shrine by members of the American Legion of Shanghai, and measures have been taken to keep the place in repair.

Appointment of Burgevine

After the death of General Ward the "Ever-Victorious Army" came directly under the control of Li Hung-chang. The question arose as to who should be put in command, and it was finally decided to appoint Burgevine, one of Ward's faithful lieutenants.

At about this time the Russian Government proposed to come to the help of the Imperialists with a force of 10,000 troops, but this offer was refused by Li Hung-chang. The Russian fleet, however, was allowed to co-operate with the British and French against the rebel forces.

After the summer, there was renewed activity on the part of the allied forces. The city of Kiating was retaken and victories were gained at Huangtu and Paohokiang (Paokong), and in January, 1863, General Staveley was able to announce that the country within the 30-mile radius had been entirely cleared of the Taipings.

Dismissal of Burgevine

Burgevine did not have Ward's faculty of getting on with the officials, and was never popular with Li Hung-chang. The payment of his troops fell into arrears, and he refused to carry out the orders to assist in an attack on Nanking until his army had been paid. He quarrelled with the banker Ta Chi in an attempt to extract money from him and in consequence was dismissed from the Imperial service.

His later career darkened his reputation. He went over to the side of the rebels, and was finally taken prisoner by the Imperialist forces in Fukien, and was drowned (whether accidentally or not was never determined) while being conveyed as a prisoner to Soochow.

Appointment of Captain Holland

On January 15, 1863, Captain J. Y. Holland of the British Marines was appointed in command of the "Ever-Victorious Army." He started out from Sungkiang on February 10, on an expedition against Tai-ch'ang (Tai-tsang), but met with a disastrous repulse, 190 men being killed and 174 wounded. Having lost the confidence of his own men and of the British authorities, he felt obliged to resign.

Appointment of Major Gordon

Although there was a desire on the part of the officers and men for the reappointment of Burgevine, the Chinese authorities would not give their consent, and on March 24, Charles George Gordon, afterwards known as "Chinese Gordon," received the appointment. He had come out to the East as Major in the Royal Artillery in connection with the second war between Great Britain and China.

His appointment was made possible, as a British Order in Council had been issued on January 9, permitting British officers to take service under the Chinese Government. He soon gave proof of military genius. Like Ward, he dominated his men by his strong will. He went into action with utter fearlessness, carrying only a short rattan cane, and soon became a hero in the eyes of his men. Unlike Ward he had no personal ambition and refused to receive any emoluments apart from his salary.

Gordon's Victories in Kiangsu

Gordon secured a succession of brilliant victories. Changshu, which had been invested by the rebels, was relieved, Tai ch'ang was retaken, and Kunshan (Quinsan) was captured. The latter city with its hill, 200 feet high, was of great strategical importance, as it was connected by waterways with Soochow, Shanghai, and the Yangtze River, and was protected by shallow Jakes on the north and west.

Mutiny in the Army

When he decided to remove his headquarters from Sungkiang to Kunshan and gave orders to that effect, a mutiny broke out among his soldiers. It was dealt with promptly and severely but resulted in his force being reduced from 3.900 to 1,700 men. To fill the vacancies he enlisted bodily 2,000 Taipings, taken prisoners at Kunshan.

In his diary he writes, "Recruit rebel prisoners, who are much better men."

Surrender of Soochow

Next he advanced with his force on Soochow, the headquarters of Chung Wang. Before making a direct assault on the city he captured the neighbouring towns. His movements were facilitated by the use of two small steamers, a part of the Lay-Osborne fleet which had been purchased by the Chinese authorities from England. Gradually his force worked its way closer and closer to the city of Soochow, causing great consternation within the walls and resulting in its surrender on December 4.

Gordon had agreed that if the city surrendered, the lives of the eight rebel "Wangs" or princes would be spared. When he discovered that Li Hung-chang and General Chen of the Imperialist army had summarily executed these men, he felt his honour was involved, and threatened to resign.

He was persuaded, however, by the British authorities to retain his command a little longer, by the argument that only so could the safety of Shanghai be secured.

Resignation of General Gordon

After further victories and the taking of Changchow on May 11th, 1864, the Taiping Rebellion in Kiangsu rapidly collapsed. General Gordon resigned his command and the "Ever-Victorious Army" was disbanded at Kunshan. Gordon was offered Tls. 10,000 reward upon the fall of Soochow', and the offer was renewed when he resigned his command. On both occasions it was refused.

Memorial to the "Ever-Victorious Army"

Li Hung-chang made a grant of $1,50Q for erecting memorials to those who died in the service of China. The Shanghai memorial now stands just within the southern entrance to the Public Gardens on The Bund. It is a stone monument and bears the following inscription: "In memory of the officers of the 'Ever Victorious Army' who were killed in action while serving against the Taiping Rebels in the Province of Kiangsu, A.D. 1862-64."

On it are 48 names of foreigners, headed by that of General Ward. Strangely enough, with the exception of a street named after him, no memorial has been erected in Shanghai to General Gordon himself, a man who did so much for keeping the Settlements from utter destruction.

The Lay-Osborne Fleet and the Appointment of Robert Hart as Inspector-General of Customs

During the course of the rebellion, in 1882, the Imperial Government resolved to create a properly organized navy to be manned by Europeans, and instructions were sent to Mr. H. N. Lay to purchase and equip a steam fleet in England. When the matter was discussed with the British Government, the question arose as to what flag the vessels should fly, for at that time China had no national flag. The question was referred to Peking, and Prince Kung gave orders that a triangular flag with the dragon design should be adopted and flown on all Chinese warships.

A small squadron of seven steamers and one store ship were bought and equipped and sent out to China. Mr. Lay appointed Captain Sherard Osborne to be in command of the fleet for four years.

As soon as the fleet arrived a bitter controversy broke out between the Chinese Government on the one side and Mr. Lay and Captain Osborne on the other. The Chinese Government wished to appoint a Chinese Commander-in-chief, and to make Captain Osborne assistant Commander-inchief, having authority over the foreign naval officers. He was to receive his orders from the Viceroys and Governors within whose jurisdiction he might happen to be.

Mr. Lay insisted that Captain Osborne should be Commander-in-chief, and furthermore held that all orders to Captain Osborne were to be transmitted through himself.

The two points of view differed so radically that it was impossible to effect a compromise. Finally the Chinese Government refused to take over the ships and they were purchased by the British Government. Mr. Lay was dismissed from his post as Inspector-General of Customs, and Mr. (afterwards Sir) Robert Hart was appointed in his place, and began to build up what became a very remarkable service.

Kiangnan Arsenal

As one of the results of the Taiping Rebellion, the Kiangnan Arsenal was established by Tseng Kuo-fan and Li Hung-chang in 1865. It was located at first in Hongkew, and moved to its present site near Lunghua in 1867.

It manufactured rifles and large guns, and constructed naval ships. A school and a translation department were attached to it. The former at one time was under the direction of Dr. Young J. Allen, and the latter was for many years conducted by Dr. John Fryer, and did useful work in supplying China with books on Science in the Chinese language.