THE TAIPING REBELLION AND THE FIRST MEDALS OF CHINA BY: HARRY A, MOHLER #32

This rebellion is important to the medal collecting fraternity as it instituted the first medals issued by the Imperial Chinese Government. Medals were unknown to the Chinese, although they were impressed with the gold, silver and bronze objects worn by foreign soldiers and diplomats. Li Hung Chang, the very able and respected Court Official of the Ching Dynasty is credited with instituting the first medals: of China. His memorial of May 6, 1863 to the Emperor of China recommended that "medals similar to those worn by the foreigners" be given to those foreigners who had helped them defeat the Taiping rebels.

The Taipings were the followers of Hung Sew-Tsuen, who took the title of "Heavenly Prince" in 1851, and whose objective was the overthrow of the ~nchu Government. They wanted the government back in Chinese hands.

On the 18th and 19th of June 1859, the British naval attack on the Taku Forts was unsuccessful and the fleet had to retire. The British and the French then organized an expeditionary force consisting of 13,000 British and Indian troops, a French force of 6,700 men, plus the combined British and French Asiatic fleet, which on August I, 1860, attacked and captured the Taku Forts. The Military fought their way inland and captured Peking, which ended the Second British China war.

During this time the Taipings, in all parts of China, were continually harassing the Chinese and foreign civilians as well as the Chinese army. The defeat of the Imperial forces in Peking brought forth a renewed vigor and activity by these rebels, so as to protect their business interests, and their nationals, French and British felt compelled to aid the Chinese Government in quelling this rebellion.

The Merchants of Shanghai, to protect their business and their nationals as well as the foreigners residing there, organized the "Ever Victorious Army" with F. T. Ward as its first Commander (1860-62). This army was composed of Chinese, foreign soldiers of fortune, sailors and anyone else who were willing to fight. In 1862 the Chinese decided that they needed more responsible leadership so they requested from the British that they appoint a British officer as commander. Lt. Col. Charles Gordon, then on duty near Shanghai was appointed along with permission for other officers and men to join this force for the purpose of training them in modern methods of warfare as then employed by the British’army. Many of them did participate in actual combat with the Chinese units to which they were assigned.

The French in Shanghai organized a Pranco-chinese Corps of approximately 800 men, officered by French army and navy personnel. The commander of this corps was a French naval officer, Prosper Marie Geguel.

These two forces, along with British and French forces that remained in the area after the second China war, and the Chinese regular army were instrumental in defeating the Taipings. At the conclusion of this rebellion in 1864 the two local forces were disbanded.

The Chinese Government was grateful for this help and in recognition of it authorized and issued gold and silver medals for outstanding services. Queen Victoria issued permission for the British recipients to accept and wear these decorations on December 14, 1864.

The Chinese awarded three different medals:

(a) The Pao Hsing [Precious Star] to British military men.

(b) Gold and Silver medals to the "Ever Victorious Army ".

(c) Gold and Silver medals to the French "Ever Successful Army", named by them the "Medaille du Dragon ou du Me-ire ".

The Chinese Government did not issue any citations or other documents.

OBVERSE REVERSE

MEDAILLE DU DRAGON OU DU MERITE (CHINE)

Medaille du Dragon awarded by the Chinese Imperial Court to the French troops who participated in the overthrow of the Taipings. Hayden ~¢~ites that 40 medals were issued in gold for Officers and 400 in silver for soldiers. It is 30 ram. The square hole in the center is 5 ~a. The ribbon is yellow.

REVERSE OBVERSE

CHINESE MEDAL AWARDED TO MEMBERS OF THE "EVER VICTORIOUS ARMY"

Inscribed on rim: "Capt. J. M. Reynalds 3rd. Regiment, Anglo Chinese Force". Characters read: "Great Ching Imperially bestowed". Center is ox blood. Medal is gold.

5

OBVERSE REVERSE

CHINESE "ORDER OF THE IMPERIAL DRAGON" [Known in England as Order of the Button]

Medal illustrated is the second class. It is gold with the center stone dark blue. Inscribed on the rim in script "To J. Chidwick from the Imp. Chinese Government - For services during the rebellion 1861 - 1863". NOTE: Tassel is on the top of the medal so the picture is actually upside down.

Their method was to allocate a number of these medals to vsrious foreign consuls and to the commanding officers of British army units, asking them to determine who the deserving recipients should be. Some of the British units recorded these awards in their day books, particularly the Royal Hampshire Regiment (67th. Foot). If the consular reports could be researched no doubt they would contain further details on these awards.

A letter to Colonel Darraugh of the 67th. South Hampshire Regiment several years ago asking him if he could verify the facts that members of his regiment received these medals in 1863 brought the response that he had no information on the subj ect. Another letter was sent listing the members [obtained from Tancreds book "Historical Record of Medals" published in 1891] of his regiment that received them. This brought a very nice letter saying that they had researched their old Day Books and confirmed the awards. In 1975 the regimental