Tai-Pings, the name given to the Chinese rebels who rose in 1850 and laid waste some of the best provinces of China. The capture of Pekin by French and English troops in 1860, followed by a treaty giving foreign merchants valuable privileges, made it to the interest of the American, French and English governments to re-establish order in China. Ward, an American citizen, who had taken service under the Chinese emperor, showed a remarkable talent for disciplining irregular troops, and was the chief means of the success of the imperial forces in defeating the rebels at Shanghai in 1860 and 1862. In this year Ward was killed, and “Chinese” Gordon was placed in command of his force, which became famous as Gordon’s brigade. The Tai-Pings were defeated in over 16 engagements, and in 1864 almost every important city held by them was captured. The rebellion, however, was not stamped out until 1867. See Chinese Empire.
