Chinese Gordon; A Succinct Record of His Life (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1884. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER II. CHINESE GORDON IN CHINA. Leaving England for China in July, i860, Captain Gordon did not reach the scene of our military operations there in time to participate in the capture of the Taku Forts. But Sep-* tember saw him at Tientsin, whence the allied forces had already commenced (September 9) their advance on Pekin, since the Chinese Commissioners were shuffling in the Chinese manner in regard to compliance with the conditions on which the allies were prepared to suspend hostilities and conclude peace. It was in the course of this movement, while negotiations were still proceeding, and had suddenly seemed prospering when indeed a basis of arrangement had been agreed to, that the representatives of the British Ambassador with their escort, while on their way back to the army from Tungchow after a not unsatisfactory conference with the Chinese Commissioners, were beset, made prisoners, vilely maltreated, and finally carried off to dungeons in Pekin, whence few of the party emerged alive. This outrage made further negotiations out of the question until satisfaction had been exacted. Lord Elgin informed the Chinese authorities that he would sign no convention with the Imperial Commissioners except within the walls of Pekin; and the stern pronouncement was made good. But as the advance was now to be an avowedly hostile one, certain additional military preparations had to be made which detained the allied armies near Tungchow until the beginning of October. This pause gave Captain Gordon the opportunity of joining the British force which the late Sir Hope Grant so ably commanded. Pekin was reached on 6th October, and during the two following days the army confronted the north wall of the capital, with the principal concentration directed against t...