The Imperialist forces were at this juncture greatly strengthened by the appointments, on Tseng’s recommendation, of two notable men, Tso Tsung-t`ang and Li Hung-chang, as Governors of Chehkiang and Kiangsu respectively.  Assistance, too, came from another and most unexpected quarter.  An American adventurer, named Ward, a man of considerable military ability, organized a small force of foreigners, which he led to such purpose against the T`ai-p`ings, that he rapidly gathered into its ranks a large if motley crowd of foreigners and Chinese, all equally bent on plunder, and with that end in view submitting to the discipline necessary to success.  A long run of victories gained for this force the title of the Ever Victorious Army; until at length Ward was killed in battle.  He was buried at Sungkiang, near Shanghai, a city which he had retaken from the T`ai-p`ings, and there a shrine was erected to his memory, and for a long time—­perhaps even now—­offerings were made to his departed spirit.  An attempt was made to replace him by another American named Burgevine, who had been Ward’s second in command.  This man, however, was found to be incapable and was superceded; and in 1863 Major Gordon, R.E., was allowed by the British authorities to take over command of what was then an army of about five thousand men, and to act in co-operation with Tseng Kuo-fan and Li Hung-chang.  Burgevine shortly afterwards went over to the rebels with about three hundred men, and finally came to a tragic end.

Gordon’s appointment to the work which will always be associated with his name, was speedily followed by disastrous results to the T`ai-p`ings.  The Ever Victorious troops, who had recently been worsted in more than one encounter with their now desperate enemies, began to retrieve their reputation, greatly stimulated by the regular pay which Gordon always insisted upon.  Towards the close of the year, the siege of Soochow ended in a capitulation on terms which Gordon understood to include a pardon for the eight T`ai-p`ing “princes” engaged in its defence.  These eight were hurriedly decapitated by order of Li Hung-chang, and Gordon immediately resigned, after having searched that same night, so the story goes, revolver in hand, for Li Hung-chang, whose brains he had determined to blow out on the spot.  The Emperor sent him a medal and a present of about L3,000, both of which he declined; and Imperial affairs would again have been in a bad way, but that Gordon, yielding to a sense of duty, agreed to resume command.  Foreign interests had begun to suffer badly; trade was paralysed; and something had to be done.  Further successes under Gordon’s leadership reduced the T`ai-p`ings to their last extremity.  Only Nanking remained to be captured, and that was already fully invested by Tseng Kuo-fan.  Gordon therefore laid down his command, and was rewarded with the title of Provincial Commander-in-Chief, and also with the bestowal of the Yellow Riding Jacket.  A month