"Ever Victorious Army," later to be commanded by General—then Colonel—Gordon after Ward's death, had been very active, but as the new Taiping army was increasing in size and vigour it was felt that there should be joint action by the Britisn and French forces to clear the rebels out of a radius of 30 miles from Shanghai. The British force at Tien-was withdrawn and under General Staveley proceeded to Shanghai where these joint operations were. commenced with British and French sailors and soldiers, Ward's men and Chinese Imperial troops, and two admirals, Admiral Hope (British) and Admiral Protet (French) all participating. General Staveley's force was about 2,800 men and 22 guns, including two naval 32-pounders: It was during these operations. that the 31st Foot—now the East Surreys—served' and mixed parties went far inland capturing and reducing rebel bases in a campaign which was eventually brought to a successful conclusion by General Gordon, who developed the Ever Victorious Army to its most effective standard.
Frederick Ward was killed and lies in a tomb at Sungkiang erected by Li Hung-chang. A monument in the Shanghai Public Gardens recalls the death of himself and 47 of his officers. "Chinese" Gordon was killed by the Mahdi's hordes at Khartoum, and at last some of the men who fought China's battles during one of the most turbulent and dynamic. periods in Chinese history are to receive an honoured resting place in more certain and undisturbed territory at Hungjao. A
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.