Chapter 199 Jin Shun’s bloody battle with Manas (2)
On September 6, 1876, Governor Jin Shun led the 20th Mabu Battalion to Manas, and immediately ordered the battalion officers of Jianrui Battalion and Zhenxing to station in the west of the city. Fang Chunfa was divided into the east of the city, the northeast of the city, and the southeast of the city, and was in contact with Xu Xuegong, the deputy commander of the Zhenwu Camp, and Fuzhuli, the deputy commander of the cavalry in Guangzhou; Kong Cai, the commander-in-chief of the Dingxi camp, was stationed in the north of the city in order to besiege the city. He also ordered Barkol's leader, Minister Shakedulin Zabu's cavalry as a guerrilla division to ambush in the south of the city, waiting for Ni to break out and intercept them head-on.
Early on the morning of the 7th, three salvos were fired from Kahua artillery and Krupp field artillery. The northeast corner tower suddenly collapsed. Jin Shun gave an order, and more than a thousand Qing troops rushed forward.
Han Xingyang saw it clearly and gave an order. Cannons, stones, wood, marbles and arrows poured out from the top of the city like a waterfall.
The soldiers who attacked the city had no protection and were naturally defeated. The commander-in-chief Li Dahong, Xiong Youlin, and the commander-in-chief Zhang Yulin were both dead and wounded. More than a hundred soldiers were killed in the battle, 200 were seriously injured, and countless were lightly injured.
Jin Shun continued, and ordered Zhang Dafa, the general, Yu Zhi, and the supervisor to attack the enemy. Zhang and Yu took turns attacking, fighting fiercely for a day, leaving many dead and injured.
On the 13th, the named admiral Ma Yukun arrived with four battalions of reinforcements.
Jin Shunxi said: "Everyone in the world says that the Yi army is invincible. Does General Ma have a good strategy for destroying the city?"
Ma Yukun said: General Jin, my subordinates have no good strategy but to fight to the death!
Jin Shundao: The thieves are equipped with Russian Gatling cannons. This weapon beeps continuously. Our soldiers fall to the ground in large numbers. General Ma should be careful.
At the third watch of the night, Ma Yukun led five hundred troops to attack the northwest corner tower at night, but failed. They attacked again the next night, but the beeping at the top of the city started again, and for a while, bullets rained down. The guerrilla leader Hu Yaoqun fell into the battle and died on the spot. Ma Yukun was also injured by rocks, and the soldiers suffered more than a hundred casualties.
After repeated attacks and repeated losses of soldiers and generals, Jin Shun was heartbroken and thought for ten days but could not find a way to break the city.
The leading minister of Urumqi, Xi Lun, said: "The thieves are treacherous and cunning. At night, they tied firewood with ropes and filled it with oil to burn. The light was as bright as day. Every gap was covered with reed mats wrapped in earth. Crenelions were built along the roofs of the city, and guns were arranged. Our army can no longer attack at night.
Jin Shundao: There is no other way to attack the fortified city. The artillery fire pours down, and the whole army attacks to break the city to the death. Immediately convey my order, the army rested for three days, and on the 4th, after the artillery fire, Ma Yukun's troops attacked the northwest corner tower again, Kong Cai and Fang Chunfa's troops laid siege to the west city gate tower, Zhang Dafa and Yu Zhihe's troops laid siege to the northeast corner tower, and Xu Xuegong's and Liu Chunyuan's troops laid siege to the northwest corner tower. Southeast gate tower. Brother Xilun will protect the rear route, and I will lead the central army myself, waiting for the city to be destroyed and bloodbathed.
On the night of October 4th, the Qing army concentrated all their artillery fire and bombed the city indiscriminately. All the troops came out and fought fiercely all night. The city was not breached, but more than 500 people including General Zhang Dafa and General Du Shengrong were killed.
Jin Shun was discouraged and immediately asked Xining Dao Liu Jintang and Yili General Rongquan to send troops to help.
Liu Jintang received the advice and ordered the four generals Dong Fuxiang, Huang Wanpeng, Luo Changhu, and Tan Diocui to lead an army of 6,000 to rush to the rescue.
Dong Fuxiang and others hesitated.
Jintang said: The war in Western Xinjiang has just begun, and we urgently need the unity of all the troops. We must not rely on the vain idea of taking away the Jin army and replacing it.
Luo Changhu said: "To General Liu, we are all willing to fight to the death to help each other. However, General Jin Shun has repeatedly fought. We are under his command and obey his orders. We cannot guarantee that we will not lose our troops and lose our generals."
Jintang said: Since we came out of the customs, we have won many battles. Jin Duhu and Ronghou Ye must be jealous of my achievements. Commander Zeng Di said that our power cannot be used up and our achievements cannot be shared alone. I have strategies to dredge trenches to block the way out, build high forts to bombard with force, and dig tunnels to find opportunities to bomb the city. This can relieve the Jindu Guards' dilemma, and you generals can go there with confidence.
Jin Shun could not be attacked for a long time. Zuo Zongtang said: It is difficult to attack a fortified city. It is especially rare for cavalry to attack the city at night. Erqing'e and Feng Guizeng took risks and took credit for their own sake. If Xu Xuegong did not immediately lead his troops to rescue him, the blame cannot be shied away from him. However, it was originally agreed that Dingmao would attack, but the time was not specified.
The two battalions of Erqing'e and Feng Guizeng took the lead in attacking the northern city of Manas, which Xu Xuegong could not predict. Jing Jinshun took off the top feather first to avoid further discussion. Even if Feng Guizeng is suspected of rash advancement, he has already sacrificed his life for the country, so he should be handed over to the ministry for consideration based on his title. Although Erqing'e has a rough temperament and does not know much about things, his courage and courage are still good. If you can comfort his heart, it is not impossible to gain his strength.
On July 20, Jin Shun personally led the commander-in-chief Deng Zeng and the commander-in-chief Zhang Yulin to bombard the northeastern tower of the city with a cannon that exploded from the rear, causing it to collapse more than ten feet. Liu Hongfa and Fang Chunfa took advantage of the situation to move the jam and force the city to take root. Jinshun and Urumqi leader Xilun's troops went straight up the gap. The thieves took advantage of the heights to fight to the death, with cannons and rocks raining down.
Commander-in-Chief Li Dahong and Xiong Youlin, as well as General Lu Huixian, risked their weapons and rocks to get on board, but they were all wounded by artillery fire and died immediately. Fang Chunfa and Zhang Yulin pounced angrily, both suffering gunshot wounds. Zhang Dafa and Yu Zhihe led their troops to advance further and attack from above. However, due to the narrow terrain at the top of the city, it was difficult to attack and they failed to succeed. It is estimated that more than 400 thieves were shot or cannoned in this battle, and more than 100 officers and soldiers were killed in action.
The army attacked Manas City and failed. Jin Shunsui asked Rong Quan and Liu Jintang for help. I immediately ordered Liu Jintang to rush to help and not be lazy.
The two palaces received the report and quickly issued an order: Erqing'e, Feng Guizeng, and Xu Xuegong's three battalions were supposed to join forces and attack on the 29th; the Erqing'e and Feng's second battalions were defeated in advance; when Xu Xuedong's troops advanced, the officers and soldiers had been defeated and left the city. outside. Erqing'e did not consult with Jin Shun to make detailed arrangements. He was greedy for merit and advanced lightly. He deserved the blame and handed it over to the ministry for discussion. Feng Guizeng was seriously injured, scolded the thief and sacrificed his life, and asked for help from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Jin Shunzou asked General Rongquan of Yili to go to the southern city of Manas to help suppress Yi Zhe. After reading the memorial, he was very surprised. The southern city of Manas is now being attacked and suppressed by Jinshun's armies, and Zuo Zongtang has also sent his troops to advance separately, hoping that they can succeed.
The Rongquan Department acted as the general of Ili. Since he could not go to Ili immediately, he temporarily stationed in Talbahatai in order to make progress. All matters related to the defense and suppression of Tacheng City are of critical importance. Rongquan did not wait for the order, but went directly to the camp to carry out various affairs, with the committee members guarding him, and rushed to Manas City. It was really presumptuous.
No matter where Rongquan arrived, he would immediately return to Tacheng. He was not allowed to leave the camp without authorization, which would cause delays. There was a previous decree instructing Rong Quan to inform Zuo Zongtang in advance if there was any negotiation with the Russians. All matters related to the return of Ili should wait until the southern city of Manas was recovered. Rong Quan immediately obeyed the previous decree and informed Zuo Zongtang that proper preparations would be made. Don't be reckless. This was known from the Five Hundred Miles Edict.
Before the imperial edict arrived, General Rongquan of Ili arrived at Manas. Four days ago, Dong Fuxiang, Huang Wanpeng and other 6,000 troops were stationed in the south and southwest of the city.
Jinshun was very happy and called Rongquan, Xilun, Dong Fuxiang, Huang Wanpeng, Luo Changhu, Tan Diocui, Xu Xuegong and others to discuss the matter of attacking the city.
Jin Shundao: Liu Daotai wanted to dredge the trenches to block his way out, build high forts to bombard the city by force, and dig tunnels to choose the opportunity to bomb the city. What do you think?
Dong Fuxiang said: This method was also used when besieging Jinji Fort in the past. Jinji Fort was several times stronger. If General Jin accepted his method, Manasjian City would definitely be conquered.
Huang Wanpeng said: Zeng Jiu Shuai also used this method to conquer Jinling.
Xu Xuegong said: According to General Jin, attacking the heart is the top priority, and attacking the city is the bottom priority. If you don't fight against the enemy's troops, there is no great virtue. My subordinates have worked together with the Fenmen in the city to fight against the Aguba rebel bandits, and they are very familiar with them. They are willing to enter the city and persuade them to surrender.
Jin Shundao: "If you can't attack repeatedly, but you go to lobby, you will be laughed at." That is to say, they used Liu Daotai's method to dig trenches and roads to build a platform, cut off their reinforcements, and encircle and bombard them.
