Charles George Gordon

Charles George Gordon, C.B. (January 28, 1833 - January 26, 1885), known as Chinese Gordon, Gordon Pasha, and Gordon of Khartoum, was a British army officer and administrator. He is remembered for his exploits in China and northern Africa.

China

His stay in England was brief, in 1860 war was declared against China (the Second Opium War), and Gordon was ordered there, arriving at Tianjin in September. He missed the attack on the Dagu forts, but was present at the occupation of Beijing and destruction of the Summer Palace. He remained with the British forces occupying northern China until April 1862, when the troops, under General William Staveley, withdrew to Shanghai to protect the European settlement from the Taiping army which was threatening the city.

Related Topics:
1860 - Second Opium War - Tianjin - Dagu - Beijing - Summer Palace - 1862 - William Staveley - Shanghai - Taiping army

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Following the successes in the 1850s in the provinces of Guangxi, Hunan and Hubei, and the capture of Nanjing in 1853 the rebel advance had slowed. For some years, the Taipings gradually advanced eastwards, but eventually they came close enough to Shanghai to alarm the European inhabitants. The city raised a militia of Europeans and Asians for the defence of the town. This force was placed under the command of an American, Frederick Townsend Ward, and occupied the country to the west of Shanghai. Fighting continued round Shanghai for about two years, with Ward's force slowly forced back.

Related Topics:
1850s - Provinces - Guangxi - Hunan - Hubei - Nanjing - 1853 - American - Frederick Townsend Ward

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The British arrived at a crucial time, Staveley decided to clear the rebels from within 30 miles from Shanghai in cooperation with Ward and a small French force. Gordon was attached to his staff as engineer officer. Jiading (Kahding), Qingpu (Singpo) and other towns were occupied, and the area was fairly cleared of rebels by the end of 1862.

Related Topics:
Jiading - Qingpu

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ward was killed in the Battle of Tzeki and his successor was disliked by the Imperial Chinese authorities. Li Hongzhang, the governor of the Jiangsu province, requested Staveley to appoint a British officer to command the contingent. Staveley selected Gordon, who had been made a brevet major in December 1862 and the nomination was approved by the British government. In March 1863 Gordon took command of the force at Songjiang, which had received the name of "The Ever-Victorious Army", an encouraging though somewhat exaggerated title. Without waiting to reorganize his troops, Gordon led them at once to the relief of Chansu, a town 40 miles north-west of Shanghai. The relief was successfully accomplished and Gordon had quickly won respect from his troops.

Related Topics:
Battle of Tzeki - Li Hongzhang - Jiangsu - Brevet - 1862 - 1863 - Songjiang - Chansu

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He then reorganized his force and advanced against Kunshan (Quinsan), which was captured at considerable loss. Gordon then took his force through the country, seizing towns until, with the aid of Imperial troops, the city of Suzhou was captured in November. Following a dispute with Li Hongzhang over the execution of rebel leaders, Gordon withdrew his force from Suzhou and remained inactive at Kunshan until February 1864. Gordon then made a rapprochement with Li and visited him in order to arrange for further operations. The "Ever-Victorious Army" resumed its high tempo advance, culminating in the capture of Chanchufu in May, the principal military base of the Taipings in the region. Gordon then returned to Kunshan and disbanded his force.

Related Topics:
Kunshan - Suzhou - 1864 - Chanchufu

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Emperor promoted Gordon to the rank of titu, the highest grade in the Chinese army, and decorated him with the Yellow Jacket. The British Army promoted Gordon to lieutenant-colonel and he was made a Companion of the Bath. He also gained the popular nickname 'Chinese' Gordon.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~