The sun., 1884-02-17
From the United serrtce Monthly Repie,o

Yes. Chinese Gordon then Captain OF Royal
Engneer very nearly had to put up with docker for
the China campaign OF 1860 But perhaps before relst
ing the following anecdoe, ought explain the
ing of tho word decker is tho British soldier slang
term for medal without clasps and originated in
the Crmeaa medal only being arded to soldiers who
arrived after the docks blown up the eyacua
ton of Sebastopol by the Russans In like manner In
China medal only awarded to soldiers who were
In tho country but not present with the army before
Pekn on Oct. Q. 1860.
Itis not necessary to relate how Capt. Gordon was
ordered to the Of war suffice it that ho arrived by
steamer from Hong Kong at the Taku forts some time
during the day OF the 4 of October $780, where ho i'm
medatey heard Of tho taking OF the FORTS followed
the advance of the allied armies Pekin To Join his
comrades at the front and take part in the siege
cupaton Of the capital his first thought but how
get there was another thing. He told that there
was conveyan faster than the usual convoy Of all
stores and spare ammunition. strongly guarded
count OF the many desperate bands of la.lalongs
uheves marauderO that always to be found hang,
ing tho outskirts OF advancing army enemy
country. But Charley Gordon was not the man to be
denied He skirmished round and eventually picked up
stray Tartar brought to the transport stables
got bride and numna there put ships biscuits
his pocket sung water bottle bucked his sword and
revolver jumped on the pony and the minute was
going at hand gallOp amid the cheering of the men,
along the road leading to Pekin which he had never
seen. or heard read of before and infested with
thieyes-distant one hundred and nifty mles.
Well do recollect the night Of the 5th6th Of October
1880. although now nearly twenty years ago. For
two weekswe had been working hard getting the breach
ing guns into position. and the before
they were to open, when breach being practicable
we were to storm. A few OF us were discussing our
various positions in the mornings work. sitting and
standing around the camp fire when English officer
covered with dust rode up on wobegone pony and
inquired il this the engineer camp Before could
answer he threw himself of. saying, "How are you
Graham. old fellow ~ seeing Major Graham, Royal En-
gineers who one of party, aad old comrade
OF Gordon's In the Crimea
You may imagine our ason!shment whom we recog
nized In the newcomer Charley Gordon. He had actu
ally ridden the hundred and nifty miles in seventeen
hours most of the time with revolver In hand and
sword in the other, and what between shooting and
shouting he had managed to escape scot free the many
attempts that made to capture him. arriving jus,
In time to take part in the operations of the morning
After a few minutes conversation he went off arm in
with his old friend to get refreshment and
hour twos sleep. for Graham lead the
in the morning and was largely snrmiscd that Gordon
would ask permission to accompany him.
1t daring ride and the whole army talked of 1,
and how Gordon saved docker UBIQUK.
WILLsrs POINT. New York Harbor, Jan. 49, 1884.