The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-02-27
CHINESE GoRDoN,s PLUCK.
One Hundred and Fifty Miles in Seventeen
Hours to Win His Clasps.

United Service Monthly Review.
Yes Chinese Gordon then captain of the Roy
al englneers) very nearly had to put up with a
decker for the China campaign of 1860. But
perhaps, before relating the following anecdote,
ought to explain the meaning Of the word
decker. 1t is the British soldier slang term for
a war medal without clasps, and originated in
the Crimea-a medal only being awarded to sol
diers who arrived after the docks were blown up
on the evacuation of Sebastopol by the Russians.
In like manner in China a medal only was
awarded to soldiers who were in the country. but
not present with the army before Pekin on Oct.
6, 1850.
1t is not necessary to relate how Capt. Gordon
was ordered to the seat of war. Suffice it that
he arrived by steamer from Hong Kong at the
Taku forts some time during the day of the 4th
of October, 1860, where he Immediately heard of
the taking of the forts, followed by the advance
of the allied armies on Pekin. To join his com
rades at the front and take part in the siege and
occupation of the capital was his first thought.
but how to get there was another thing. He was
told that there was no conveyance faster than
the usual convoy of all stores and spare ammu-
milton, strongly guarded on account of the many
desperate bands of la la-longs thieves. maraud-
ers) that are always to be found hanging on the
outskirts of an advancing army in an enemy's
country. But Charley Gordon was not the man
to be denied. He skirmished round and eventu-
ally picked up a stray Tartar pony,
brought it to the transport stables, got a bride
and numna there, put ships biscuits in ms
pocket, slung a water bottle. buckled on his
sword and revolver. jumped on his pony, and the
next minute was going at a hand gallop, amid the
cheering of the men, along the road TO Pekin.
which he had never seen or heard or read of be-
fore, and infested with ~thieves-distant $50
miles.
Well do 1 recollect the night Of the 5th-6th of
October, 1860. although now nearly tWenty-four
years ago. For two weeks we had been working
hard getting the preaching guns into position,
and on the morrow before dawn they were to
open, whom a breach being practicable, we were
TO storm. A few Of us were discussing our vari-
GUS positions in the mornings work, sitting and
standing around the campfire, when an English
officer, covered with dust, rode up on q wobegone
pony and inquired if this wa the engineer camp.
Before anyone could answer he threw himself
off, saying: How are you, Graham, old fellowl"
seeing Major Graham, Royal Engineers, who
was one of our party, and an old comrade of
G0rdon's in the Crimea.
You may imagine our establishment when we
recognized in the newcomer Charles Gordon.
He had actually ridden the $50 miles in seven
teen hours, most OF the time with revolver in
one hand and sword in the other, and what be
tween shooting and shouting he had managed to
escape scot free from the many attempts that
were made to capture him, arriving Just in
time to take part in the operations of the morn
ing.
After a few minutes conversation he went of
arm in arm with his old friend to get some re
freshments and an hour or twos sleep, for Ora
ham was to lead the stormers in f. morn
ing, and it was largely surInisad that Gordon
would ask permission TO accompany him.
1t was n daring ride, and the whole army
talked OF it and how Gordon saved a decker.