Part 25 (1/2)
[63] This the Chung-w.a.n.g proposed, if the Tien-w.a.n.g would authorise such policy. As for his having even thought of ”giving up the cause,” the a.s.sertion is equally false and absurd, which subsequent events have proved.
[64] Here we have Gordon's reasons for approving the treachery.
[65] It was a follower of the Nar-w.a.n.g who first attacked the Mo-w.a.n.g.
[66] It will be seen that Gordon here admits he was not an Imperialist officer, but a _local_ Mandarin's.
[67] This sinister statement, when combined with the fact that Gordon soon afterwards returned to companions.h.i.+p and active co-operation with General Ching and the Futai, regardless of his responsibility for the Soo-chow treachery and ma.s.sacre, certainly affords some ground for the belief that the whole tragedy was previously arranged; that Gordon retired only while compelled to do so by the unanimous expression of indignation among all Europeans (General Brown and other authorities included); and that his future course he originally intended to follow whenever the universal excitement became somewhat abated, and public attention less directed towards himself. Whether this conclusion be correct or otherwise, Major Gordon and his Manchoo friends alone can say; but in either case the Englishman fully deserves the imputation.
His first conduct occasioned and made him _particeps_ in the treachery; his last act condoned the atrocities at which he had pretended to be disgusted.
[68] This statement is quite sufficient to make Gordon entirely responsible for every circ.u.mstance connected with the surrender of Soo-chow. He made all the a.s.surances and guarantees, it appears, but never troubled himself to insure their observance, although he had complete power to do so.
[69] Here is another extraordinary admission; for, though Gordon's honour was pledged to preserve the lives and property of the deceived traitors, he very coolly took himself off to Quin-san, without making the slightest exertion to save the unfortunate people who had trusted to his word as a British officer. Subsequent to this event hundreds and thousands of the betrayed garrison were cruelly put to death. Who is responsible for the ma.s.sacre--the Manchoos, who followed their natural instincts and barbarous laws, or the British officer, who obtained the surrender, guaranteed the terms, and then quietly permitted the violation of his pledges?
[70] This concluding paragraph is simply a tissue of mendacity and absurdity. Does the dishonoured officer intend to qualify the treacherous destruction of _his_ prisoners, by introducing the totally irrelevant opinion that they have no Government, or ”real ideas” of Christianity?
[71] See Inclosure 1 in No. 9, ”Return to an Address of the Honourable House of Commons,” dated July 1, 1864:--for ”Copies of Communications which have pa.s.sed between Sir F. Bruce and Colonel Gordon.”
[72] See ”Our Interests in China,” by H. Lay, C.B., late Inspector-General of Chinese Customs, pp. 37-41. This _expose_ of British policy in China fully proves, together with Blue Book information, that Gordon never held any commission from the Emperor of China; that neither did he hold any commission from the local authorities, but, by serving without, was in reality a ”filibuster.”
[73] It will be seen that Gordon's letter is dated from Soo-chow.
[74] Italics by the Author.
CHAPTER XXV.
Operations Resumed.--Attack on Kin-tang.--The Battle of the Brickbats.--Ti-ping Success.--Active Operations.--Manoeuvring.--Hang-chow Invested.--Fall of Kar-sing-foo.--Gordon's Proceedings.--Chang-chow-foo.--Narrative of the Siege.--Fall of Chang-chow.--The Foo-w.a.n.g.--Manchoo Cruelty.--Debate on the Chinese War.--Lord Palmerston's Policy.--Its Errors.--Mr. Cobden's Policy.--Mr. Layard.--His Inaccuracy.--Extracts from the Debate.--Result of Lord Palmerston's Policy.--Fall of Nankin.--”Imperialist”
Account.--The Chung-w.a.n.g's Capture.--Other Reports.--Digest of Events.--The Chung-w.a.n.g.--His Position in Nankin.--Events in the City.--Newspaper Reports.--Doubts as to the Chung-w.a.n.g's Fate.--The Retreat from Nankin.--Newspaper Extracts.--The s.h.i.+-w.a.n.g's Proclamations.--Lee Shai-Yin's Address.
Late in the month of February, 1864, the Futai's _General_, Gordon, resumed operations against the Ti-pings. Upon this occasion it appears that he acted entirely on his own responsibility, neither under the orders of his. .h.i.therto controller, General Brown (commanding H.B.
Majesty's forces at Shanghae), nor the Futai. Consequently, the campaign to be noticed partook more strongly of filibustering than any of the preceding raids already described.
The first movement the Anglo-Manchoo force made was directed against the walled city of Yih-sing, on the western sh.o.r.e of the Ta-hoo Lake, and about forty miles south-west of Wu-see. After a short engagement, the usual result of such operations occurred. The garrison, unable to resist the overwhelming artillery employed by Gordon, an arm newly replenished from the British a.r.s.enal at Shanghae before taking the field, was driven from the city with much loss; those who managed to escape retreating to Li-yang, the nearest walled town. Soon, however, they were followed up to this place, but the commandant having received orders to retire to another city, it was evacuated upon the appearance of the disciplined troops and their irresistible guns.
The appearance of the country lately wrested from the Ti-pings is given as follows by one of Gordon's own officers (who was present during all operations) in his notes, ”How the Taepings were driven out of the provinces of Kiang-nan and Che-kiang.” Describing the march to Yih-sing, he states:--
”Some commissariat boats also went astray, causing the infantry a few days' hunger, as scarcely any food could be obtained, the country being all deserted and devastated. Seemingly it had not been cultivated easily _after the Taepings lost possession_.
Hundreds of dead bodies were strewn along the roads, people who died from starvation; and even the few who were yet alive, watched one of their comrades dying, so as to obtain some food off his dead body.”[75]
Sleep calmly and sweetly, ye China-rebel-subduing English politicians, and speak authoritatively as to the benefit of your intervention in the Chinese civil war, after reading this testimony from the hand of one of your mercenary tools! Is there a man so ill-”liberal” as to consider Lord Palmerston and colleagues are responsible for the results of their policy of interference towards the outlandish Chinamen? What do the starving Chinamen above mentioned say?
Their easy successes seem to have made the victorious enemy too confident in their own prowess, and less cautious than heretofore.
Leaving a garrison at Li-yang, and also a considerable portion of his artillery, Gordon next advanced upon Kin-tang, a small city to the north-west. Elated by his former triumphs, and believing that his appearance alone would cause the submission of all Ti-ping cities in the district, and place their long-haired people under the barber's razor, Gordon expected no resistance at Kin-tang, and was induced to think that the place would open its gates to receive him as a sort of ”conquering hero” whenever he might choose to enter. It will be seen that he became the victim of misplaced confidence.
Although, since my departure from China, and since the Ti-pings have been driven far inland, all information has been received from Chinese sources--false, exaggerated, and figurative--it seems pretty certain that the Chung-w.a.n.g, after parting with me at Wu-see, placed the s.h.i.+ and Foo w.a.n.gs in charge of the military position, while he proceeded to Nankin in order to confer with his king, the Tien-w.a.n.g. Chang-chow-foo became the head-quarters of the Foo-w.a.n.g, and it so happened that Kin-tang was similarly occupied by the s.h.i.+-w.a.n.g (a general second only to the Commander-in-Chief in talent and capability), when Gordon arrived before its walls. Both cities were situated on the southern road from Nankin, and their retention was absolutely necessary to maintain either the communications of the capital, or insure the retreat of the garrison, should they be obliged to abandon their charge. In consequence of this the Chung-w.a.n.g divided about 10,000 of the best Ti-ping troops between his two lieutenants for the express purpose of holding Kin-tang and Chang-chow, while another force was organized to co-operate in the field.
The two w.a.n.gs had concentrated all their strength at Chang-chow when intelligence of Gordon's advance upon Kin-tang reached them. The s.h.i.+-w.a.n.g, with a division of several thousand men, by forced marches, managed to throw himself into the city just before the enemy appeared.
When the Anglo-Manchoo contingent arrived under the walls on the 20th of March, they summoned the place to surrender, but no reply was made, for the battlements were silent and deserted, neither soldier nor spear, nor sign of living occupation being visible. The gates were all fast closed, and although Gordon had been looking forward to enter peaceably, and when he had arrived could see neither trace of man nor prospect of opposition, something there must have been ominous and suspicious in the stillness reigning over the city, for he preferred battering the walls down to knocking at the gates and demanding admission. The heavy guns were moved up to within a few hundred yards; the boats, containing supplies, followed them by the creeks; and batteries were soon thrown up, still amidst the same profound and mysterious silence upon the part of the garrison. During the bombardment all the noise was on one side; nor flag, nor face, nor living thing could be observed about the encompa.s.sed battlements. After several hours' constant firing, a large and practicable breach was effected, and the 1st regiment of Anglo-Chinese ordered to storm the silent ramparts. The enemy came forward with a loud cheer, bearing with them bamboo bridges to throw across the moat, while the stormers were closely supported by portions of the 2nd and 5th regiments, who were allowed to enter the city ditch in their boats and cross unopposed. The short s.p.a.ce between the moat and the foot of the breach was soon pa.s.sed, and the storming column began to ascend. At this moment the hitherto invisible garrison appeared and broke their previous silence in a manner fatal to the a.s.sailants.