The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-08-20
NOT CHINESE GORDON.
The Tai Ping Rebellion First
Checked BY an American
GEN. FRED WARD The MAN.
Gen. Gordon Took Up the work That
Ward LefG Tndnfshed When
He Was Killed.

To Cen Frederick Z. Ward, an Ameri-
can, and not 20 Gen. C. Z. Gordon. better
knoSn as Chinese Gordon. Is due the
credit Of checking the Tai Ping rebellion
IN the early sixties, for which Gen. Gordon
has been getting all the honors. 10 the
utter exclusion Of Gen. Ward. who seems
10 have been entirely lost sight OF by the
English in their general shuttle
for honors and supremacy IN that
country. The prevailing opinion on
the subject, even among Americans. is
pretty much exploded BY an interesting
interview Published herewith, q. gwen BY
Mr.. ID. A. Spencer, q prominent citizen Of
this city, whose residence in Shanghai
and business relations there at the time Of
the trouble gave him opportunities for
study and observations that give force 10
his present statements. Mr.. Spencer does
not detract from Gen Gordon's greatness.
bat be clearly shows that Gen. Ward. the
American. was the fret TO show and
prove TO the Chinese the superiority Of well
organized white troops under an able
leader. and had Gen. Ward not been
killed 50 early in the history of the rebel
lion the opportunities that brought Gen.
Gordon 10 the 'front.' might not have pre-
scented them selves, because Gen. Gordon
merely took up the work 50 ably begun by
Gen. Ward, and after Wards death Cor
don carried il on TO q successful termina-
ton. Mr.. Spencer says;
al went TO China in 1850, being en-
ployed ia mercantile pursuits a. Hong
kong, Canton, and during part of lso3 and
ls6s was with the firm OF Ii. Fogg & Co.
at Shanghai. Fred Ward had been killed
Il a. - reaaw
Fogg & Co.. and as that house had been
his headquarters " bile at Shanghai, l nat
urally heard much of him. His wife was
at the house frequently, and Fogg a Co
were doing ali in their power to collect
from the Chinese government the large
sums Of money due Ward As our gov
eminent is always slow 10 take up the
claims of its citizens against foreign gov
ernments, and were at that time having
their hands full, Wards heirs never re-
ceiyed anything for his services. Fred
Ward was the mate of an American mer-
chant ship. arriving in Shanghai, think,
some time in 1861. At that time the Tar
ping or rebels we're very eloseto Shanghai
and threatened the capture OF that city.
The Chinese authorities and foreign resi-
dents were very much alarmed. Ward
volunteered to raise \ force among the
foreigners and drive the rebels of. IL he
succeeded he was TO be paid literally by
the Chinese governor. His force did not
exceed 400 men, bat was composed OF
reckless, daredevil fellows, and they sue
ceeded easily in driving the rebels off.
This was the starter OF Wards career,
which unfortunately was short one.
With bis small force he contracted to. re-
capture the province, or that portion OF II
held by the rebels, for a stated sum- lie
was uniformly successful In all of his en-
gagements with the rebels. and showed SO
much ability and tact in his dealings with
the Chinese authorities that he was taken
into high favor. He was appointed man
DARN OF the highest rank under that Of
the imperial family and married a daugh-
ter of one Of the Chinese mobiles.
While in full favor be proposed TO form
q Chinese brigade after foreign models
and his offer was accepted. At the time of
his death. as told by Capt. Jones, he had a
force of 1900 Chinese fairly well drilled
and doing very efficient service. This was
the force that "Chinese" Gordon after
wards commanded and augmented and
with which he finally subdued the rebels.
have always felt that Ward has been un-
Justly treated when the story of the
crushing o. the Chinese rebellion has been
told. Gordon has received all the glory,
while Ward has been almost forgotten.
Gordon certainly deserved all the credit
ne received, but Ward had il under full
Roadway when Gordon took up the task
Ward had several brave lieutenants under
him, the most conspicuous Of them being
Coils. Burgevine aud Forrest After Ward
was killed Burgevine and Forrest quar-
relied for the command, Burgevine finally
being appointed. He was simply lighter.
not q commander, and soon quarreled with
his subordinstes and his superior officers.
The story OF his displacement was told by
Capt Jones IN one OF your recent issues. p"