Ever Victorious Army

Chinese history

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June 26, 2026

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The Ever Victorious Army was a force of Western-trained troops that fought for the Qing dynasty during the Taiping Rebellion (1850–1864). Organized by Frederick Townsend Ward in 1860 to defend Shanghai, the army comprised foreign mercenaries and later incorporated Chinese troops with Western officers and arms. Despite resentment from regular Chinese forces, Ward's tactics led to victories, with the Qing government subsidizing the expensive endeavor. After Ward's death, British officer Charles George Gordon took command. While some historians believe the army had a limited impact, traditional interpretations suggest it was crucial in suppressing the rebellion.1

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Charles George Gordon
…force, known as the “Ever-Victorious Army,” raised to defend the city. During the next 18 months Gordon’s troops played an important, though not a crucial, role in suppressing the Taiping uprising. He returned in January 1865 to England, where an enthusiastic public had already dubbed him “Chinese Gordon.” For…
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…force, known as the “Ever-Victorious Army,” raised to defend the city. During the next 18 months Gordon’s troops played an important, though not a crucial, role in suppressing the Taiping uprising. He returned in January 1865 to England, where an enthusiastic public had already dubbed him “Chinese Gordon.” For…
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Li Hongzhang
Early life and career
…officer who led the “Ever-Victorious Army,” a force, later put at Li’s disposal, made up of foreign mercenaries. Although Westerners tended to credit this alien force with putting down the rebellion, it was really Zeng Guofan and subordinates such as Li who accomplished the task. The immediate director of…
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…officer who led the “Ever-Victorious Army,” a force, later put at Li’s disposal, made up of foreign mercenaries. Although Westerners tended to credit this alien force with putting down the rebellion, it was really Zeng Guofan and subordinates such as Li who accomplished the task. The immediate director of…
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Frederick Townsend Ward
…adventurer who commanded the “Ever Victorious Army,” a body of Western-trained troops that aided the Qing dynasty (1644–1911/12) in suppressing the Taiping Rebellion, the giant religious and political uprising that occupied South China between 1850 and 1864.
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…adventurer who commanded the “Ever Victorious Army,” a body of Western-trained troops that aided the Qing dynasty (1644–1911/12) in suppressing the Taiping Rebellion, the giant religious and political uprising that occupied South China between 1850 and 1864.
Read More