The south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1879-1883, 1883-10-05
The Black and Yellow Flags.

As there seems to be a general dispo-
sition to assume that Chinese troops
must have had something to do with
the recent defeat of the French in Ton
quin, it may be as well to state that
such view is opposed to the facts, and
that the French have thus far had only
to encounter as opponents in Tonquin
the Annamese and the forces of the
black and yellow flags. There will be
some curiosity to ascertain who these
latter are, and, as they are Chinese by
race and in appearance, it may be well
to describe their political status before
they are confounded with the regular
Chinese army.
The Tapping rebellion broke out in
the Province of Kwangsi, and after ex-
tending across China to within sight of
the Capital 1t was finally overcome by
the joint efforts of the Imperial COM
manders and Of General Gordon. In
1865 those of the rebels who had either
remained in Kwangsi or who had had
the good fortune to escape there were
expelled the Provinces by the Emperor s
Lieutenants and driven across the bor-
der into Tonquin. They found secure
place Of refuge in the mountains on
either side of the Sangkoi valley, but
far from willing to exasperate the Chi
nese authorities, they showed disposi-
ton to act in obedience to their behest,
and to carry out their projects. In
numbers their fighting men were
at this period computed at five
thousand. At first Watsong, said to
have been one of the principal of Tae-
ping Wang's followers, was the recog-
nized chief of this band of exiles, who
were accompanied by their wives and
families. The Annamese troops were
repeatedly sent against these trouble
some and self-invited guests, but only
to experience defeat, and in 1868 these
Chinese rebels were in unquestioned
possession of the right bank of the
Sangkoi above the capital. The assist
ance Of the Chinese viceroy of the Two
Kwang was invoked and accorded with
such good results that these assailants
were expelled from the low-lying coun'
try and confined to the upper course Of
the river. A division in the chiefshir
of the band came almost at the same
moment to give increased effect to the
interference of the Chinese authorities
Watson died, and two chiefs were elect.
ed in his stead, one of the original fol.
lowers of the Tapping, the others by
those who had joined Watsong in th'
hope Of plunder or from the desire t.
elude the pursuit Of justice. The break
ing up of the association was made th'
more complete by the adoption of diff
ferent ensigns, and, while those in favo
of an adventurous life retained "th'
black flag" the rest, anxious for tn
safety of their families, and willing t
come to terms with the authorities botl
of AMMAN and China, adopted 18th
yellow flag" as their token.
The division was Of a more seriou
character than the mere change Q
name, for the black flags were com
posed of the worst characters an
', most dangerous marauders of a dis
turbed border and troubled period
Their leader, Liu Yuen Fou, had bee
! the most famous freebooter of Kwangs
from which position it was an cas-
passage for him to become the mos
trusted officer of Watsong. But tn
yellow flags were much more dispose
to settle down, and to lead a peacefl
life. Some of them had neither syn
pathized with. nor taken part, in I'll
operation of the Taepings; and the
! chief, Hwang Tsong In, had been
soldier in the army OF Kwangski. III
: principal settlement of the black flag
: at Laokai, on the Sangkoi, while th'
: of the yellow flag is at Haglang, SON
distance east and inland of that plac
Although the black flags were Il
fiercest, the yellow flags were the mo
a numerous, and enjoyed superiori
!, in this respect which the form
q could not ignore. BY subsidi
IS ing the latter the Annamese a
/ thorities were able to feel that the
: had done something toward insurir
q the good behavior Of the former. The
J did not refuse, however, to avail ther
Y selves of the military service of the OF
d or the other, as suited their convenienc
n and when M. GARNER made himse
= master of Hanoi in 1873, it was with {
r army largely composed of the black fl'
that the Anamese returned to attat
him. The French officer did not NAL
d sufficient allowance for their superb
,r courage, and while making an attack {
!, their position was cut down and kille