An American Mandarin
by Allen P. Wescott
"An illustrious man from beyond the teat, he came 6000 li to accomplish great deeds and acquire immortal fame by shedding his noble blood. Because of him Sungkiang thall be a happy land for a thousand autumns."
China's Tai-ping revolt, or "war of the Long-haired Rebels" broke out in 1850. Its leader, Hung-ts'űan, self styled Tien-teh (Celestial Virtue) and Tien-wang (Heavenly King) announced himself a heaven-sent reformer. He sought to dethrone the Manchu dynasty and to found, in his own person, that of Tai-ping or Universal Peace. During fifteen years of sanguinary insurrection, the Tai-pings all but wrecked the weak Manchu dynasty. They captured various important cities including Nanking. By 1860 the insurrection reached formidable proportions. The rebels sought to obtain the rich coastal provinces about Shanghai, openly threatening to occupy the treaty ports. The rebellion was finally crushed by troops of various nationalities under General Ward and Colonel Gordon. The story of "Chinese" Gordon is well known since he later achieved fame in the Sudan. The story of Ward is less widely known.
Frederick Townsend Ward was born November 29, 1831, at Salem, Mass. His natural capacity for leadership became apparent early. As a boy he showed daring in handling small boats. He spent two years at Norwich University, acquiring some knowledge of military science and tactics. His father was a shipmaster, and upon leaving Norwich, young Ward went to sea as did most men from new England coast towns in the 1840's. For a dozen years he roamed far and wide. On the Isthmus of Tehuantepec he first put into practice his military training. Later he campaigned in Nicaragua under William Walker, most renowned of all American Soldiers of Fortune. In the Crimean War, W'ard served as lieutenant in the French army. In 1859 he appeared in Shanghai, taking a job on a Yangtze River steamer.
In 1860 the crisis of the Tai-ping rebellion was reached. Anglo-French resistance protected Shanghai itself, but the outlying districts were at the mercy of the Tai-pings. Ward became acquainted with an influential merchant named Takee, and through him, proposed that for $200,000 he would recapture and garrison the city of Sung-kiang, held by 10,000 rebels. Obtaining a commission from the Imperial Government and some financial support from the merchants, Ward set about to organize an army. He gathered a hand of about 100 adventurous spirits of various nationalities—sailors, beach combers, remnants of various expeditions, anyone who knew anything at all of arms. These he made officers and they, in turn, drilled his native recruits. Ward made good his offer to take Sung-kiang, and receiving his monetary reward was made a mandarin of the fourth class.
Encouraged by success at Sungkiang, Ward attacked Tsingpu, but as that city was strongly defended, Ward was unable to effect immediate capture and he himself was wounded. He rested his
handful of troops at Sungkiang while
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