Battle of Sanhe
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Sanhe was a major engagement of the Taiping Rebellion
, occurring in 1858. During this battle, the crack troops of Zeng Guofan
’s Hunan
Army (Xiangjun, 湘军) was lost, along with one of its most capable commanders, Li Xubin.
took Luzhou
(庐州), modern day Anhui, and Imperial governor of Hunan
-Guangdong
Guam Wing
(官文) ordered Li Xubin to counter attack by taking cities / towns of Tongcheng
, Shucheng
, and Taihu (太湖). Imperial Jiangning (江宁) General Du Xing’a (都兴阿) and Li Xubin consequently led over ten thousands troops consequently attacked Anhui
from Hubei
. On September 22, 1858, imperial troops took Taihu (太湖). Afterward, Li Xubin led eight thousand troops to continue the attack northward. On September 27, 1858, Li Xubin’s imperial army took Qianshan
, on October 13, 1858, imperial force took Tongcheng
, and on October 24, 1858, imperial army took Shucheng
. After leaving behind two thousand troops to guard the newly conquered towns, on November 3, 1858, Li Xubin led the remaining six thousand imperial troops to the outskirt of Sanhe Town (San He Zheng, 三河镇, literally meant Three Rivers Town), around 25 km southeast of Shucheng
.
Sanhe (Three Rivers) Town was located on the western shore of Lake Chao
, and an important barrier of Luzhou (庐州) and also an important transportation hub to supply provisions for both and Luzhou (庐州) and Nanjing
. Originally lacked any city wall, the Taiping Army constructed a new wall and in addition, built a total of nine forts outside the newly built city wall. The Taiping commander in charge of defending Sanhe Town was Wu Dinggui (吴定规). On October 24, 1858, Chen Yucheng had just succeeded in taking Liuhe (六合) and received the news that Sanhe Town was besieged by the imperial troops. Realizing the importance of the town, Chen Yucheng decided to reinforce Sanhe and asked Hong Xiuquan
to send Li Xiucheng
to strengthen the Taiping reinforcement force. Chen’s request was granted. Nearby regions‘s Nien Rebellion
to send 40,000 troops to strengthen the Taiping reinforcement force,too.
After heavy casualties on both sides, Taiping army abandoned all nine forts and retreated to the safety behind the city wall. On November 7, 1858, Chen Yucheng’s force reached Sanhe and camped in Golden Ox (Jinniu, 金牛) Town, just south of Sanhe Town. A week later, Li Xiucheng
’s force also reached Sanhe Town, and camped in the region of White Stone Mountain (Baishishan, 白石山). The Taiping army in Sanhe region totaled more than 100,000 and Li Xubin’s staff officers suggest that the imperial force must withdraw to Tongcheng
temporarily since there were only six thousand of them. Li Xubin refused and subsequently moved all of his forces into the newly taken forts to take defensive positions.
Realizing the enemy had numerical superiority and he could not hold out for long, Li Xubin decided to launch a preemptive strike against Chen Yucheng’s force. At the night of November 15, 1858, seven battalions of imperial force were sent to attack Taiping army at Golden Ox Town under the cover of darkness, but unbeknown to the imperial troops, Taiping army had already laid an ambush for them. On the dawn on November 16, 1858, the imperial army clashed head on with the vanguard of Chen Yucheng’s Taiping army, which lured the entire seven battalions of imperial army into the pre-laid ambush. Chen Yucheng’s force ambushed and killed half of the seven battalions of the imperial force, and surrounded the remainders. Li Xubin sent out another four battalion for the rescue and personally led several dozen charges against the Taiping army positions, but all were beaten back with heavy loss.
Taiping army under Li Xiucheng
’s command went out to support Chen Yucheng and Wu Dinggui (吴定规)’s Taiping army behind the city wall also went out of the town to attack imperial army. Li Xubin had to retreat back to the forts with surviving imperial troops and attempted to hold their position and wait for reinforcement but 15,000 Green Standard Army
delay never show. However, the imperial army was severely weakened and seven out of nine forts fell in short time, with the fort where Li Xubin’s headquarter was located also besieged. As Li Xubin attempted to breakout, he was killed in the fierce battle( another saying Li hang suicide on dry tree), Zeng Guofan
’s first younger brother Zeng Guofar(曾國華) was also killed, both Li and Zeng missed their bodys, and by November 18, 1858, the battle ended when the last resistance stopped.
continued their offensive southward, and imperial army had to abandon Shucheng
and withdrew to Tongcheng
, but on November 24, 1858, Li’s and Chen’s Taiping troops took Tongcheng
. Imperial force under the command of Jiangning (江宁) General Du Xing’a (都兴阿) besieging Anqing
was risking being cutting off from behind, and the siege had to be abandoned on November 27, 1858 and the imperial army withdrew to Xiusong (宿松) via Shipai (石牌). Taiping army subsequently retook Qianshan
and Taihu (太湖).
was also crushed. In addition, the Taiping army also expanded their territory as the result of its victory. The six thousand strong imperial force was the crack troop, whose loss would take long time to recover and thus would have severe impact on future operations against Taiping army.
Taiping Rebellion
The Taiping Rebellion was a widespread civil war in southern China from 1850 to 1864, led by heterodox Christian convert Hong Xiuquan, who, having received visions, maintained that he was the younger brother of Jesus Christ, against the ruling Manchu-led Qing Dynasty...
, occurring in 1858. During this battle, the crack troops of Zeng Guofan
Zeng Guofan
Zeng Guofan was an eminent Han Chinese official, military general, and devout Confucian scholar of the late Qing Dynasty in China....
’s Hunan
Hunan
' is a province of South-Central China, located to the south of the middle reaches of the Yangtze River and south of Lake Dongting...
Army (Xiangjun, 湘军) was lost, along with one of its most capable commanders, Li Xubin.
Prelude
In August, 1858, Taiping ArmyTaiping Rebellion
The Taiping Rebellion was a widespread civil war in southern China from 1850 to 1864, led by heterodox Christian convert Hong Xiuquan, who, having received visions, maintained that he was the younger brother of Jesus Christ, against the ruling Manchu-led Qing Dynasty...
took Luzhou
Anhui
Anhui is a province in the People's Republic of China. Located in eastern China across the basins of the Yangtze River and the Huai River, it borders Jiangsu to the east, Zhejiang to the southeast, Jiangxi to the south, Hubei to the southwest, Henan to the northwest, and Shandong for a tiny...
(庐州), modern day Anhui, and Imperial governor of Hunan
Hunan
' is a province of South-Central China, located to the south of the middle reaches of the Yangtze River and south of Lake Dongting...
-Guangdong
Guangdong
Guangdong is a province on the South China Sea coast of the People's Republic of China. The province was previously often written with the alternative English name Kwangtung Province...
Guam Wing
Guam Wing
Guanwen was an eminent Manchu official, Grand Secretariat, military general, Viceroy of Zhili, Huguan and commander of the Army Group Central Plain the late Qing Dynasty in China...
(官文) ordered Li Xubin to counter attack by taking cities / towns of Tongcheng
Tongcheng
Tongcheng City is a county-level city in Anhui under the jurisdiction of Anqing City. Its population is 744,000 and its area is 1571 square kilometers...
, Shucheng
Shucheng County
Shucheng County is a county in Anhui Province, People's Republic of China under the jurisdiction of Lu'an City. It has a population of 1,390,000 and an area of . The government of Shucheng County is located in Chengguan Town....
, and Taihu (太湖). Imperial Jiangning (江宁) General Du Xing’a (都兴阿) and Li Xubin consequently led over ten thousands troops consequently attacked Anhui
Anhui
Anhui is a province in the People's Republic of China. Located in eastern China across the basins of the Yangtze River and the Huai River, it borders Jiangsu to the east, Zhejiang to the southeast, Jiangxi to the south, Hubei to the southwest, Henan to the northwest, and Shandong for a tiny...
from Hubei
Hubei
' Hupeh) is a province in Central China. The name of the province means "north of the lake", referring to its position north of Lake Dongting...
. On September 22, 1858, imperial troops took Taihu (太湖). Afterward, Li Xubin led eight thousand troops to continue the attack northward. On September 27, 1858, Li Xubin’s imperial army took Qianshan
Qianshan County
Qianshan County is a county in Anhui Province, People's Republic of China under the jurisdiction of Anqing City. It has a population of 570,000 and an area of . The government of Qianshan County is located in Meicheng Town...
, on October 13, 1858, imperial force took Tongcheng
Tongcheng
Tongcheng City is a county-level city in Anhui under the jurisdiction of Anqing City. Its population is 744,000 and its area is 1571 square kilometers...
, and on October 24, 1858, imperial army took Shucheng
Shucheng County
Shucheng County is a county in Anhui Province, People's Republic of China under the jurisdiction of Lu'an City. It has a population of 1,390,000 and an area of . The government of Shucheng County is located in Chengguan Town....
. After leaving behind two thousand troops to guard the newly conquered towns, on November 3, 1858, Li Xubin led the remaining six thousand imperial troops to the outskirt of Sanhe Town (San He Zheng, 三河镇, literally meant Three Rivers Town), around 25 km southeast of Shucheng
Shucheng County
Shucheng County is a county in Anhui Province, People's Republic of China under the jurisdiction of Lu'an City. It has a population of 1,390,000 and an area of . The government of Shucheng County is located in Chengguan Town....
.
Sanhe (Three Rivers) Town was located on the western shore of Lake Chao
Lake Chao
Chao Lake, or Chao Hu, , is a lake located at the juncture of Chaohu and Hefei cities in Anhui Province, China. It is the largest lake in Anhui and one of the five largest freshwater lakes in China. Laoshan Island is situated within the lake. About 5 million people live near the lake, and use it...
, and an important barrier of Luzhou (庐州) and also an important transportation hub to supply provisions for both and Luzhou (庐州) and Nanjing
Nanjing
' is the capital of Jiangsu province in China and has a prominent place in Chinese history and culture, having been the capital of China on several occasions...
. Originally lacked any city wall, the Taiping Army constructed a new wall and in addition, built a total of nine forts outside the newly built city wall. The Taiping commander in charge of defending Sanhe Town was Wu Dinggui (吴定规). On October 24, 1858, Chen Yucheng had just succeeded in taking Liuhe (六合) and received the news that Sanhe Town was besieged by the imperial troops. Realizing the importance of the town, Chen Yucheng decided to reinforce Sanhe and asked Hong Xiuquan
Hong Xiuquan
Hong Xiuquan , born Hong Renkun, style name Huoxiu , was a Hakka Chinese who led the Taiping Rebellion against the Qing Dynasty, establishing the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom over varying portions of southern China, with himself as the "Heavenly King" and self-proclaimed brother of Jesus Christ.-Early...
to send Li Xiucheng
Li Xiucheng
Li Xiucheng was an eminent military leader of the Taiping Rebellion, and known during his military tenure as the Loyal King . This title was given because a Qing general attempted to bribe him to kill Hong Xiuquan, but he refused and told Hong Xiuquan. His many victories also made Hong very happy...
to strengthen the Taiping reinforcement force. Chen’s request was granted. Nearby regions‘s Nien Rebellion
Nien Rebellion
The Nien Rebellion was an armed uprising that took place in northern China from 1851 to 1868, contemporaneously with Taiping Rebellion in South China...
to send 40,000 troops to strengthen the Taiping reinforcement force,too.
Battle
On November 7, 1858, imperial troops attacked Taiping army’s forts in three fronts:- 6 battalions attacked Taiping forts in the regions of HenanHenanHenan , is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the central part of the country. Its one-character abbreviation is "豫" , named after Yuzhou , a Han Dynasty state that included parts of Henan...
Boulevard (Henandajie, 河南大街) and Mouse Trap (Laoshujia, 老鼠夹) - 3 battalions attacked Taiping forts in the region of Water Buddhist nunnery (Shui’an, 水庵) and Crystal Buddhist nunnery (Shuijing’an, 水晶庵)
- 2 battalions attacked Taiping forts in the region of Zhujiayue (储家越)
- 2 battalions personally led by Li Xubin acted as reserve of the attacking forces.
After heavy casualties on both sides, Taiping army abandoned all nine forts and retreated to the safety behind the city wall. On November 7, 1858, Chen Yucheng’s force reached Sanhe and camped in Golden Ox (Jinniu, 金牛) Town, just south of Sanhe Town. A week later, Li Xiucheng
Li Xiucheng
Li Xiucheng was an eminent military leader of the Taiping Rebellion, and known during his military tenure as the Loyal King . This title was given because a Qing general attempted to bribe him to kill Hong Xiuquan, but he refused and told Hong Xiuquan. His many victories also made Hong very happy...
’s force also reached Sanhe Town, and camped in the region of White Stone Mountain (Baishishan, 白石山). The Taiping army in Sanhe region totaled more than 100,000 and Li Xubin’s staff officers suggest that the imperial force must withdraw to Tongcheng
Tongcheng
Tongcheng City is a county-level city in Anhui under the jurisdiction of Anqing City. Its population is 744,000 and its area is 1571 square kilometers...
temporarily since there were only six thousand of them. Li Xubin refused and subsequently moved all of his forces into the newly taken forts to take defensive positions.
Realizing the enemy had numerical superiority and he could not hold out for long, Li Xubin decided to launch a preemptive strike against Chen Yucheng’s force. At the night of November 15, 1858, seven battalions of imperial force were sent to attack Taiping army at Golden Ox Town under the cover of darkness, but unbeknown to the imperial troops, Taiping army had already laid an ambush for them. On the dawn on November 16, 1858, the imperial army clashed head on with the vanguard of Chen Yucheng’s Taiping army, which lured the entire seven battalions of imperial army into the pre-laid ambush. Chen Yucheng’s force ambushed and killed half of the seven battalions of the imperial force, and surrounded the remainders. Li Xubin sent out another four battalion for the rescue and personally led several dozen charges against the Taiping army positions, but all were beaten back with heavy loss.
Taiping army under Li Xiucheng
Li Xiucheng
Li Xiucheng was an eminent military leader of the Taiping Rebellion, and known during his military tenure as the Loyal King . This title was given because a Qing general attempted to bribe him to kill Hong Xiuquan, but he refused and told Hong Xiuquan. His many victories also made Hong very happy...
’s command went out to support Chen Yucheng and Wu Dinggui (吴定规)’s Taiping army behind the city wall also went out of the town to attack imperial army. Li Xubin had to retreat back to the forts with surviving imperial troops and attempted to hold their position and wait for reinforcement but 15,000 Green Standard Army
Green Standard Army
Green Standard Army is the name of a category of military units under the control of the Qing Dynasty in China. It was made up mostly of ethnic Han soldiers and operated concurrently with the Manchu-Mongol-Han Eight Banner armies...
delay never show. However, the imperial army was severely weakened and seven out of nine forts fell in short time, with the fort where Li Xubin’s headquarter was located also besieged. As Li Xubin attempted to breakout, he was killed in the fierce battle( another saying Li hang suicide on dry tree), Zeng Guofan
Zeng Guofan
Zeng Guofan was an eminent Han Chinese official, military general, and devout Confucian scholar of the late Qing Dynasty in China....
’s first younger brother Zeng Guofar(曾國華) was also killed, both Li and Zeng missed their bodys, and by November 18, 1858, the battle ended when the last resistance stopped.
Aftermath
After their victory at Sanhe, Chen Yucheng and Li XiuchengLi Xiucheng
Li Xiucheng was an eminent military leader of the Taiping Rebellion, and known during his military tenure as the Loyal King . This title was given because a Qing general attempted to bribe him to kill Hong Xiuquan, but he refused and told Hong Xiuquan. His many victories also made Hong very happy...
continued their offensive southward, and imperial army had to abandon Shucheng
Shucheng County
Shucheng County is a county in Anhui Province, People's Republic of China under the jurisdiction of Lu'an City. It has a population of 1,390,000 and an area of . The government of Shucheng County is located in Chengguan Town....
and withdrew to Tongcheng
Tongcheng
Tongcheng City is a county-level city in Anhui under the jurisdiction of Anqing City. Its population is 744,000 and its area is 1571 square kilometers...
, but on November 24, 1858, Li’s and Chen’s Taiping troops took Tongcheng
Tongcheng
Tongcheng City is a county-level city in Anhui under the jurisdiction of Anqing City. Its population is 744,000 and its area is 1571 square kilometers...
. Imperial force under the command of Jiangning (江宁) General Du Xing’a (都兴阿) besieging Anqing
Anqing
Anqing is a prefecture-level city in southwestern Anhui province, East China. It borders Lu'an to the north, Chaohu to the northeast, Tongling to the east, Chizhou to the southeast, and the provinces of Jiangxi and Hubei to the south and west respectively....
was risking being cutting off from behind, and the siege had to be abandoned on November 27, 1858 and the imperial army withdrew to Xiusong (宿松) via Shipai (石牌). Taiping army subsequently retook Qianshan
Qianshan County
Qianshan County is a county in Anhui Province, People's Republic of China under the jurisdiction of Anqing City. It has a population of 570,000 and an area of . The government of Qianshan County is located in Meicheng Town...
and Taihu (太湖).
Outcome
The imperial defeat at Sanhe was a major setback, not only the newly conquered towns were lost again, the siege of AnqingAnqing
Anqing is a prefecture-level city in southwestern Anhui province, East China. It borders Lu'an to the north, Chaohu to the northeast, Tongling to the east, Chizhou to the southeast, and the provinces of Jiangxi and Hubei to the south and west respectively....
was also crushed. In addition, the Taiping army also expanded their territory as the result of its victory. The six thousand strong imperial force was the crack troop, whose loss would take long time to recover and thus would have severe impact on future operations against Taiping army.