The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-10-24
The Chinese Insurrection and the Standln
Army OF OHM.


BY the Oroland Friend of China, Of the 2ith
July, further intelligence has been received Of the
progress Of the instruction In that empire, which
appears to be making yet more successful head
against the imperial power.
In the early part Of June last the Chinese Lieute-
nant General, Wu-lan-tai, had left Canton with
the intention Of coalescng with the commissioners
sent by the Tartar Emperor to put down the rebel
lion. But the insurgents had intention OF allow
ing him to form the coalition with the 1t would
appear he had anticipated and giving him battle
at pass called Luk-woee, he was totally routed,
with a loss Of upwards Of one thousand men, the
general himself being severely wounded that IL is
said he will have to undergo the amputaten OF an
arm.
The success which thur seems 10 attend this out
break in the Celestial Empire, and the continual
defeat Of the imperial troops by the undsciplined
rebels goes far TO subvet all the notions that
once entertained in Europe of the vast numerical
military power at the deposition Of the Emperor;
and little surprise should be felt a. the ready
success Of the British arms in $50, over the Chi
nese &c rces when such evidence ia furnished Of the
powerlesspess OF the Emperor 10 crush the la wess
bands which have thrown bis realm into confusion,
| and perilled his throne for 80 long period.
From so called official documents, We have long
been led 10 believe that China maintains foot an
army Of 100 600 men. But from interesting details
recently published by an intelligent officer In the
| French navy, Captain Jurien de Ia Grsviere, who
made IL more his business 70 inquire into sush mat
| tiers, when in China than own military or naval
cficers appear to have done during cur hostile ex
redit0n INTO that country IN lSiD, we are informed,
on the best authorities, that the standing army Of
China amounts in reality TO no more than 5000
| soldiers, wholly composed Of Mandschu Tartars,
| divided into eight banners. The greater part Of
these Tartar regiments remain constantly in the
| capital, the rest are distributed throughout the
provinces, and form the gauisons in the chief
| towns.
They are described by Captain de la Graviere as
courageous and strongly built men, but, notwith.
standing, anything but formidable, for their arms
consist only Of bows and matchlocks, and they are
void of all skill in military tactics. The pirates Of
the Malay Archipelago are infinitely superior stra-
tegists, says the Captain, to these Mandschu war.
| rors. These last enumerated features, as far as
the psOnaa of the Tartar soldiers, corroborated
by the accounts given all hands by those officers
and men who made the Chinese campaign Of 1910.
Besides these 90 900 men, whi,h constitute the
! real and only Chinese regular or standing army.
/ china possesses, II Is true, a numerous militia
| The profession Of arms Is hereditary in families
| When the son has learned from bis father the use
OF the sword and shield and progressed far To
be able TO give with one hand the stroke while be
covers himself with the other, TO strike the mark
with the javelin, and to load and Gre the matchbox
| he then appears before the mandarin appointed to
give proof Of his capabilities, and then purchases