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Major-General Charles George Gordon, CB (28 January 1833 – 26 January 1885), known as Chinese Gordon, Gordon Pasha, and Gordon of Khartoum, was a British army officer and administrator. He is remembered for his campaigns in China and northern Africa.
He earned the nickname "Chinese" when he served in the Second Opium War (1856-1860) between Britain and China, then commanded the so-called (and misnamed) Ever-Victorious Army to protect European interests in China.
After an illustrious career, which included a stint as governor-general of Sudan, Gordon was killed during a battle at Khartoum by the army of the Mahdi Mohammed Ahmed.
Charles George Gordon in Southern Victory[]
Charles George Gordon was a somewhat famous British soldier, having distinguished himself during campaigns in both China and the Sudan, the former earning him the nickname, Chinese Gordon.
In 1881, when the Second Mexican War began, Major General Gordon was placed in command of a combined British and Canadian Army in Alberta, but was not able to move until after the CS returned captured US reporter Frederick Douglass, thus proving to the British Empire that they were sincere on manumitting their slaves.
He was given full authorisation to cross the border into the Montana Territory, with the intent of striking for Helena and its rich gold mines. His force consisted of a division of Canadian infantry screened by a regiment of British cavalry, which included lancers. General Gordon's march into the territory was straightforward, with no flanking maneuvers. The volunteer cavalry force under the leadership of Theodore Roosevelt, which was harassing his forces when it was marching into the territory, found their job easier because of this.
When the US Army was finally able to bring all its forces to bear, under the leadership of General George Armstrong Custer, General Gordon still proved unstoppable, and brushed them aside. The US then regrouped and dug in at the Teton River where they attempted to stop his advance. The battle progressed in Gordon's favour until he ordered a frontal assault against the US lines in which his infantry was devastated by the fire-power of eight Gatling guns. With his army routed, Gordon was forced to flee back across the border into Canada.[1]
In the war's aftermath, General Gordon would be kindly remembered by history, especially in Canada, where his defeat was described as "a lucky ambush".[2]
See also[]
- Charles George Gordon at the Leviathans wiki.
References[]
- ↑ How Few Remain, pgs. 480-490.
- ↑ American Front, pg. 519, mmp.
