They accordingly got together a body
of troops, partly Chinese and partly European, and under European
officers, to which they entrusted the defence of the town. This
small force, which, after a few preliminary successes, received
from the Chinese Government the title of the 'Ever Victorious
Army', was able to hold the rebels at bay, but it could do no
more.
For two years Shanghai was in constant danger. The Taipings,
steadily
growing in power, were spreading destruction far and wide. The
Ever
Victorious Army was the only force capable of opposing them, and
the
Ever Victorious Army was defeated more often than not. Its first
European
leader had been killed; his successor quarrelled with the Chinese
Governor, Li Hung Chang, and was dismissed. At last it was
determined to
ask the General at the head of the British Army of Occupation for
the loan
of an officer to command the force. The English, who had been at
first
inclined to favour the Taipings, on religious grounds, were now
convinced, on practical grounds, of the necessity of suppressing
them. It was in these circumstances that, early in 1863, the
command of the Ever Victorious Army was offered to Gordon. He
accepted it, received the title of General from the Chinese
authorities, and entered forthwith upon his new task.
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