Liu Mingchuan 劉銘傳

LIU Ming-ch'uan 劉銘傳 (T. 省三, H. 大潛山人), 1836–1896, Jan. 11, soldier and official, was a native of Ho-fei (Lu-chou), Anhwei. His ancestors had for generations been farmers. Resourceful, ambitious, and discontented with his father's occupation, he became the head of a band of freebooters who were engaged in the illegal sale of salt. When he was eighteen sui he is said to have murdered a rich villager. When the Taipings threatened Lu-chou (see under Chiang Chung-yüan), he organized a powerful volunteer corps which became famous under the name, Ming-tzŭ Chün 銘字軍. A few years later his forces participated in the campaign against Ch'ên Yü-ch'êng [q.v.]. Having attained the rank of major, in April 1862 he followed Li Hung-chang [q.v.] to Shanghai, and from May to June resisted the Taipings east of that city. After taking the fortress at Chin-shan, a strategic point in the prefecture of Sungkiang (July 17), he rushed back to Shanghai which was again menaced, and by the end of the year overcame the insurgents there. In order to aid the naval force under Huang I-shêng 黃翼升 (T. 昌岐, 1818–1894), Liu advanced on Fu-shan by boat early in 1863, and on June 8 he and Huang took the strategic fortress at Yang-shê 楊舍堡 in Kiangyin and occupied the district city three months later (September 13). After the general attack on Soochow by Li Hung-chang's army, Liu and his forces, early in 1864, pursued Li Hsiu-ch'êng [q.v.] to Nanking. In co-operation with the commanders of other volunteer corps, he finally took Changchow (May 11) and captured a powerful insurgent commander, Ch'ên K'un-shu (see under Li Hsiu-ch'êng). In this battle Liu was injured in the forehead. For restoring peace to Kiangsu, this rustic of only twenty-nine sui was made an official of the first rank and commander-in-chief of Chihli (1864). He did not assume the post, however, as he was sent elsewhere to fight. Having already in 1862 received the honorary title of military merit, baturu 巴圖魯, he was in 1864 awarded the Yellow Riding Jacket.

In the spring of 1865, under the command of Tsêng Kuo-fan [q.v.], Liu Ming-ch'uan was ordered to subjugate the rebel bands known as the Nien-fei (see under Yüan Chia-san and Sêng-ko-lin-ch'in). Marching into northern Anhwei, he and Chou Shêng-po 周盛波 (T. 海舲, d. 1888) captured (July 25) Chih-chia-chi 雉家集 (present Wo-yang), a strategic base of the rebels. Thereafter, with Chou-chia-k'ou, Honan, as headquarters, he took part in various campaigns against the insurgents who were overruning Honan and adjacent regions. Late in the autumn of 1866 he and a fellow-commander, Pan Ting-hsin (see under Ts'ên Yü-ying), attacked the Nien-fei in western Shantung, dividing their forces. One contingent, known as the Western Nien (西捻), fled to Shansi (see under Tso Tsung-t'ang) under the leadership of Chang Tsung-yü (see under Sêng-ko-lin-ch'in), while the Eastern Nien (東捻), led by Jên Chu 任柱 and Lai Wên-kuang 賴汶光, remained in Shantung. Under the direction of Li Hung-chang, who replaced Tsêng Kuo-fan late in 1866, Liu drove the Eastern Nien to Kiangsu and then to Hupeh (see under Pao Ch'ao). In the spring of 1867, however, the latter again invaded Shantung, and made their way eastward. Liu pursued and defeated them at Jih-chao, Shantung and at Kan-yü, Kiangsu, in November; and at Wei-hsien and Shou-kuang, Shantung, in early December—thus driving them to the mouth of the Mi River (瀰河) where he annihilated them on December 24, 1867. Liu's men are said to have killed some 20,000 insurgents and taken about 10,000 captives. Jên Chu died in the battle of Kan-yü; and Lai Wên-kuang, after narrowly escaping massacre at Shou-kuang, was captured at Yangchow (January 5, 1868). As the most distinguished commander in this three-year war, Liu Ming-ch'uan was given the rank of Ch'ing-ch'ê tu-yü of the third class. After a few months of retirement he was ordered (May, 1868) to participate in the suppression of the Western Nien who invaded Chihli and Shantung in the spring of 1868. Though Liu was temporarily at variance with Li Hung-chang, Tsêng Kuo-fan succeeded in reconciling their differences in order that they might unite their forces against the enemy. When the rebels attempted to break across the Yellow River to invade Southern Shantung, Liu, in co-operation with Kuo Sung-lin 郭松林 (T. 子美, 1834–1880), overwhelmed them in a battle near Chih-p'ing on August 16. Chang Tsung-yü is said to have drowned himself during this engagement. As a result of this victory the Nien-fei were completely subdued. Liu was promoted to the rank of a baron of the first class and returned home.

At his native place Liu Ming-ch'uan built a luxurious residence named Ta-ch'ien Shan-fang 大潛山房 where he devoted his time to study, and to which he invited many scholars of note. It is said that only by having sequestered large quantities of silver obtained in the wars was he able to live in such an imposing style. He published a collection of his poems, entitled Ta-ch'ien shan-fang shih-ch'ao (詩鈔), but some scholars aver that these were written by an amanuensis. Four months after the outbreak of the so-called Tientsin Massacre (1870, see under Ch'ung-hou), Liu was summoned to Peking, but the insurrection was quelled before he could leave the capital. At this time he was granted the privilege of memorializing the throne, a concession not ordinarily made to one of his rank. Late in 1870 Liu was ordered to direct the armies in Shensi which were fighting the Tungans and was given command of about twenty thousand men. But he found it impossible to cooperate with Tso Tsung-t'ang [q.v.], governor-general of Shensi and Kansu, and resigning his post on the ground of illness, returned home late in the following year. In 1880, when the Ch'ing authorities were forced to strengthen the defense against Russia (see under Ch'ung-hou and Tsêng Chi-tsê), Liu, by order of the emperor, went to Peking where he memorialized the throne on the importance of constructing a railroad between Ch'ing-chiang-p'u (Huai-yin) and Peking for strategic reasons. His plan, however, was not put into effect owing to the opposition of other officials, especially Liu Hsi-hung (see under Kuo Sung-tao). After stopping at Tientsin to receive optical treatment, he returned home in the following year.

When the Franco-Chinese war broke out in 1884 Liu Ming-ch'uan, invested with the rank of governor of Fukien, was ordered to garrison Formosa. He rushed to the island in July, and after working out a plan of land strategy, in lieu of an adequate naval force, immediately stationed his men at important ports. The French fleet under the command of Sebastian Nicholas Joachin Lespès 李士卑斯 (1828–1897) attacked the port of Kelung (Kīrun) on August 4 and on the following day destroyed the battery, but was driven back by Liu's troops. Early in October the main force of the French Asiatic Squadron, commanded by Amédé Anatole Prosper Courbet 孤拔 (1827–1885), pressed on the port of Tamsui (Tansui), and after a month's fighting, occupied Kelung (November 2). At the same time this fleet blockaded the ports along the west coast making it virtually impossible for Liu to obtain munitions and reinforcements from the mainland. On March 3, 1885 French marines from Kelung advanced to the strategic port of Taipeh (Taihoku) but Liu held the city against them. About two weeks later, owing to a change of policy by the French government, Courbet's main force retired to the Pescadores (Bōko-tō), and with the conclusion of a peace treaty on June 9 (see under Li Hung-chang), all the French forces evacuated Formosa. Liu then returned to Foochow to reassume the post of governor of Fukien to which he had been appointed in 1884.

His achievement in Formosa was not fully appreciated by the government, and a few high officials criticized his tactics. But the Empress Dowager awarded him 3,000 taels silver which, it is said, he distributed entirely among his subordinates. Those Ch'ing authorities, however, who realized the strategic importance of Formosa, created the office of governor of Taiwan (October, 1885), and Liu Ming-ch'uan was appointed the first governor. Two years later the island was declared, by imperial decree, to be an independent province, and Taipeh was made the capital. In reorganizing the military system of the island he established at Taipeh in 1886 an arsenal and a powder-magazine in Western style and commenced in 1887 the construction of batteries at five important ports. During the years 1885–86 he organized a naval force with base of operations in the Pescadores. At the same time he undertook to reform the island's administrative policy towards the savages and to develop the financial resources. In 1887 he established sixteen stations where officials, teachers, physicians and hair-dressers attempted to conciliate the aborigines and gradually civilize them. In 1890 he established at Taipeh a school of higher education for youths of the influential and well-to-do families. But he did not scruple to use armed force in the northeastern regions in order to subdue rebellious tribes. Likewise he reformed the tax system and encouraged industries under government control. The new land tax which he put into effect in 1887 he made more equable by a survey and a census. Though, owing to the opposition of the natives, he was unable to carry out his program entirely, he increased the revenue considerably within a few years. In the hope of developing modern industries in the island he either established or reorganized (1887–88) government bureaus for the control of the principal industries such as camphor, sulphur, salt, gold and coal. Similarly he increased to a marked degree the production of tea for the foreign trade. He thus succeeded in placing the island government on a sound financial basis and relieved the Fukien government of its previous heavy burden.

Liu Ming-ch'uan constructed the capital city of Taipeh in western style, paving the streets (1885) and lighting the city with electricity. On March 22, 1888 he introduced a Westernized postal system such as existed on the mainland only in treaty ports. A telegraph line had been previously laid (1877) between Taipeh and Anping (Ampin) by Ting Jih-ch'ang [q.v.]. Liu extended this line to Kelung in 1887, and in 1888 laid a submarine cable between Tamsui and Foochow. During the years 1887–91 he constructed a railway between Taipeh and Kelung. The work of extending this line to Hsinchu (Shinchiku) was begun in 1888 and was completed in 1893, two years after he left the island. Though only 62 miles long, this Formosan line was one of the first railways to be operated on Chinese territory. Liu also opened under government supervision a commercial steamship line between Formosa, China, India and the South Seas, obtaining (1888) for this purpose two steamships from British merchants in Singapore. In all the above-mentioned undertakings for modernization the materials were imported chiefly from Great Britain and the technical work was carried out by European engineers in Liu's employ. Finally he established two schools at Taipeh, one primarily for instruction in English (1887) and the other for the training of telegraph operators (1890).

Being a soldier of fortune who rose to high position through native ability, Liu Ming-ch'uan was free from the traditional conservatism and self-interest which characterized many Chinese officials of his time. Moreover he was too liberalminded and practical to be moved by prejudice against Western culture. High officials in Peking, however, became troubled by his radical reforms in Formosa, and compelled him to relinquish his post in July 1891. His conservative successors allowed most of his enterprises to lapse. Thereafter he lived in retirement at his native place, nursing his health which had suffered greatly through his war experiences and his prolonged residence in a malarial climate. He found relaxation in Chinese chess of which he is said to have been an expert player. In 1894 when the Sino-Japanese war broke out, he was summoned by the emperor, but excused himself on the ground of ill health. He died several months after the cession of Formosa to Japan, and was canonized posthumously as Chuang-su 壯肅. He left a collection of memorials to the throne arranged in 22 chüan. This collection was later revised by Ch'ên Tan-jan 陳澹然 and published under the title Liu Chuang-su kung tsou-i (公奏議) preface by the latter dated 1906.

[1/422/3a; 2/59/50a; 8/24上/8b; Appendix to the Liu Chuang-su kung tsou-i; Ch'ên Yên 陳衍, 石遺室文集 Shih-i shih wên-chi (1913), 1/5a; Hsiang chün chi, chüan 10, 16 (see bibliography under Tsêng Kuo-fan); Chiao-p'ing Yüeh-fei fang-lüeh (see under I-hsin), passim; Chiao-p'ing Nien-fei fang-lüeh (see under Li Hung-chang), passim; Inō Yoshinori, 臺灣巡撫としての劉銘傳 Taiwan-jumbu to shite no Ryū Meiden (1915) and 臺灣文化志 Taiwan bunka shi (1929), 3 vols. passim; Yano Jinichi 矢野仁一, 髮賊亂の經過及び平定 and 捻匪の亂 in Kindai Shina shi (1926); Maurice Loir, L'escadre de l'amiral Courbet (1886), pp. 89–101, 182 243, and 291–317; Dodd, J., Journal of a Blockude Resident in North Formosa, during the Franco-Chinese War, 1884–85 (1888); Davidson, J. W., The Island of Formosa, Past and Present (1903) pp. 217–56].

Hiromu Momose

Liu Ming-ch'uan 劉銘傳 (T. 省三 H. 大潛山人), 1836-1896, Jan. 11, soldier and official, was a native of Ho-fei (Lu-chou), Anhwei. His ancestors had for generations been farmers. Resourceful, ambitious, and discontented with his father's occupation, he became the head of a band of freebooters who were engaged in the illegal sale of salt. When he was eighteen sui he is said to have murdered a rich villager. When the Taipings threatened Lu-chou (see under Chiang Chung-yuan), he organized a powerful volunteer corps which became famous under the name, Ming-tzu Chün 銘字軍. A few years later his forces participated in the campaign against Ch'en Yü-ch'eng [q.v.]. Having attained the rank of major, in April 1862 he followed Li Hung-chang [q.v.] to Shanghai, and from May to June resisted the Taipings east of that city. After taking the fortress at Chin-shan, a strategic point in the prefecture of Sungkiang (July 17), he rushed back to Shanghai which was again menaced, and by the end of the year overcame the insurgents there. In order to aid the naval force under Huang I-sheng 黃翼升 (T. 昌岐, 1818-1894), Liu advanced on Fu-shan by boat early in 1863, and on June 8 he and Huang took the strategic fortress at Yang-she 楊舍堡 in Kiangyin and occupied the district city three months later (September 13). After the general attack on Soochow by Li Hung-chang's army, Liu and his forces, early in 1864, pursued Li Hsiu-ch'eng [q.v.] to Nanking. In co-operation with the commanders of other volunteer corps, he finally took Changchow (May 11) and captured a powerful insurgent commander, Ch'en K'un-shu (see under Li Hsiu-ch'eng). In this battle Liu was injured in the forehead. For restoring peace to Kiangsu, this rustic of only twenty-nine sui was made an official of the first rank and commander-in-chief of Chihli (1864). He did not assume the post, however, as he was sent elsewhere to fight. Having already in 1862 received the honorary title of military merit, baturu 巴圖魯, he was in 1864 awarded the Yellow Riding Jacket.

In the spring of 1865, under the command of Tseng Kuo-fan [q.v.], Liu Ming-ch'uan was ordered to subjugate the rebel bands known as the Nien-fei (see under Yuan Chia-san and Seng-ko-lin-ch'in). Marching into northern Anhwei, he and Chou Sheng-po 周盛波 (T. 海舲, d. 1888) captured (July 25) Chih-chia-chi 雉家集 (present Wo-yang), a strategic base of the rebels. Thereafter, with Chou-chia-k'ou, Honan, as headquarters, he took part in various campaigns against the insurgents who were overruning Honan and adjacent regions. Late in the autumn of 1866 he and a fellow-commander, P'an Ting-hsin (see under Ts'en Yu-ying), at- tacked the Kien-fei in western Shantung, dividing their forces. One contingent, known as the Western Nien (西捻), fled to Shansi (see under Tso Tsung-t'ang) under the leadership of Chang Tsung-yu (see under Seng-ko-lin-ch'in), while the Eastern Nien (東捻), led by Jen Chu 任柱 and Lai Wen-kuang 賴汶光, remained in Shantung. Under the direction of Li Hung-chang, who replaced Tseng Kuo-fan late in 1866, Liu drove the Eastern Nien to Kiangsu and then to Hupeh (see under Pao Ch'ao). In the spring

赠太子太保兵部尚书衔福建台湾巡抚一等男爵刘壮肃公墓志铭 桐城马其昶撰 　　公姓刘氏，讳铭传，字省三，合肥人。曾祖某，祖廷忠，考惠，世业农，后皆以公贵，赠如公官爵。公生而英特，有伟抱，尝登所居大潜山叹曰：『生不爵，死不谥，非夫也』。会天下乱，淮、淝居民争筑堡寨自卫，各相长雄。一日，有大豪呼公考至马前，责供给不时至，诃骂而去。公愤甚，蹑豪行数里，夺其佩刀杀之，乘马徐归。于时年十有八矣。 　　同治元年，合肥李公以曾文正公奏荐巡抚江苏，募淮勇东征。公以千总从，所将卒号「铭军」。连击破川沙、奉贤、福山，解常昭围。合水师夺扬舍汛要隘，苦战六日，乘胜下江阴，取无锡，进攻常州，奇兵出奔牛镇，降其酋，推锋直进。寇复犯奔牛，还军却之，再攻围常州，先登生获寇酋陈坤书，常州平。积功至提督，赏黄马褂。而程忠烈已前定苏州，遂越境应浙军攻嘉兴，克之。至是公平常州，亦出屯句容，以应江宁围军。于是湘军拔江宁，殄洪寇。积苦久，遂皆散遣。 　　**捻复纵横齐、豫、吴、楚之郊。曾公受命督师。湘军将既已罢归，乃益募淮勇，设四镇重兵。公屯军周家口，战捷于瓦店、于南顿、于扶沟。诏授直隶提督。率师援鄂，克黄陂，追贼至颖州，大破之。公以中原平旷地，贼四走疲我，乃建议筑堤扼沙河为守。贼溃突汴梁堤，追创之于巨野。捻首张总愚窜陕西，任柱、赖汶洸窜山东，自是有东捻、西捻之目。李公代曾公督师。公率所部自郓城至京山，西东数十战，贼皆披靡望风遁。由是东至黄陂，西至安陆、襄、枣，北至南阳、邓，铭军常为选锋。复议防运河，扼胶、莱，筑长墙，北起夏店，南抵柳林口，遏贼骑西。六年，引兵南救沭阳，追北至诸城、日照，还殪任柱于赣榆。赖汶洸图窜青、济，间道驰潍西北击破之，蹙之海滨，歼其众，河流尽赤。汶洸自投扬州防军以死。东捻平。论功最，给三等轻车都尉。乞假归。 　　七年，西捻张总愚由陕窜河朔，畿辅大震，诏责诸将率。公卧疾在家，李公假朝命强起之，会师进击盐山、沧州、德平。李公仍议筑墙临邑属之马颊河。墙成，值大雨，徒骇河盛涨，贼不得渡。张总愚赴水死。西捻平。晋一等男爵，诏驻师张秋，资镇守。旋命督军陕西，剿北山回匪。引疾归。 　　论者谓李公江苏之功推程忠烈，平捻功，公为大。忠烈攻嘉兴遽战死，而公初起将五百人，稍增至七千，讨捻益骑兵合万二千人，西防陕增多至二万。逮后台湾之役，以异数改巡抚，位望乃益崇矣。自程忠烈始识外国械器利，其战江苏，悉改用新械，淮军竟以此胜。而公尤以铁道实自强要图，其关于兵事利害为重。光绪六年，与俄罗斯争伊犁约，应诏至都，即上言铁道便利数大端。李公因奏公主办。议格不行。 　　十年，法兰西扰海疆，再起公以巡抚衔督台湾军务。至七日，基隆炮台毁。公以台湾无兵舰，不利海战，移军基隆山后避炮弹，且诱敌登陆。寻击毙法酋二、兵百余，夺二纛，他兵械数十。有诏褒美。法兵以偏师絓基隆军，别遣五舰犯沪尾。沪尾者，基隆后路也，距台北府三十里，军资饷械皆聚台北。公夜退师驻淡水，犄角沪尾。谤讥流闻，取断于中，不眩时议。敌益增舰来攻。是时马江已挫，上海用三轮船济师，皆遏不达。诸将冒雨跣足督战，坚守八阅月。诏授福建巡抚。明年媾成，朝议台湾阻海峙南洋门户，当设立行省自治。乃改公台湾巡抚。奏增一府、一厅、三县。 　　生番窟宅台南北七百余里，奔狂叫呶，风气湮阏，捣虚斧顽，厘其驯稚，一皆化熟，不以异类自疑。念兵制久敝，不饶给财用，无能革新。于是清丈田亩，赋收倍经额；而诸所创土田、茶盐、金煤、林木、樟脑之税，亦充羡府库。始至岁入金九十万，其后至三百万。因益筑炮台，购火器，设军械局、水雷局、水雷学堂。要以兴造铁道为纲纽，辅之以电线、邮政，功费大百余万。公思以一岛基国富强，迹所已效，威名树立，如其初志。累加太子少保、兵部尚书衔，又特命襄办海军事务。 　　尝登沪尾炮台，东望日本，欹戱感发曰：『即今不图，我为被虏矣』！已而户部奏请天下十年内毋增置舰炮，复喟曰：『人方惎我，我顾欲樽俎折之乎』？遂三疏求去。 　　台湾之立行省自公始。公治台湾凡七年而归。归四年而朝鲜难作，屡召不出，遂以疾终于家，春秋六十。是年台湾割隶日本。遗疏入，天子轸悼，赠太子太保，谥壮肃，建专祠，史馆立传。长子盛芬，直隶候补道，前卒，官其长孙朝仰、三子盛芾，皆员外郎。朝仰承袭男爵。次子盛芸，赐举人，记名道。四子盛芥，举人，候选道。女四人，皆适望族。配程夫人。侧室有出者曰项氏、陈氏。绝粒以殉得旌者，曰二李氏。公以某年月日葬某乡某原。其诸孙朝望，举人，刑部郎中，致公所为大潜山房诗二卷，并致状曰：『先公墓碑未刻，敢请铭』。乃铭。公所箸别有奏议二十四卷，藏于家。辞曰： 　　公专阃寄，方壮其齿。金节琱戈，谑浪书史。蛰居在壑，公驩无止。皇怵外讧，诏速公起。公来氓驩，彼骄亦骇。韬智衔勇，创古未有。涨天大泽，纳于一沚。公胡遽归？公归不俟。疆场成坏，彼此一时。悲膺雄志，虽死而视。焯功镵词，万古是记。 　　清太子太保兵部尚书台湾巡抚合肥刘壮肃公神道碑 桐城陈澹然撰 　　圣清光绪二十年夏，日本夺朝鲜，我师壁牙山，不战；朝命李鸿章传旨，召故台抚刘公于里第。公卧病不出。海军熸。明年夏，割台湾，盟成；公辄悲啸数月，竟以是冬薨于家。 　　初，咸丰间粤寇踞苏常为金陵内府。同治元年，大学士李公鸿章起淮军东讨。自将程学启讨苏、松，命公与其弟鹤章讨常州、太仓，断苏、松援贼。伪忠王李秀成合五伪王军数十万，连屯二百里来援。公合诸将血战破之，诸列城毕拔。苏援绝，乃降。伪王陈昆书痛苏降之见杀也，则死守常州不下。程公既没，李公亟表公特将逼常州。公则遣将壁奔牛镇，断贼援。伪忠王鼓轮炮环击奔牛军，饟援绝且死。公闻，宵驱五百人袭贼后夹击，呼声动天地，遂以四千人斩馘十万，蹙诸江。三年夏，竟拔常州，磔昆书。军威达于皖、浙。逾月，湘军始克金陵。 　　当是时，湘军围金陵，三年不下，朝论辄推淮军功骎骎出湘军上。淮军固后起，公少，特起冠诸军。湘中诸老将益惊叹以为弗及。自粤寇据东南，淮捻、陇回并起，飙荡数千里，中国无寗土者殆二十年。公竟以此名震中国。 　　同治四年春，僧忠亲王战死曹州。朝命大学士曾公国藩壁徐州，统四镇兵讨捻。特拜公提督直隶为大将，壁周口重镇摄之。尝兼旬逐寇千七百里，曾公特表叹奇之。逾年，李公代帅壁济寗。公益发舒骋奇略。捻骑恒突数千里，公则创议建堤堑扼沙、汴、黄、运、胶、莱诸河二千里罟之。斥巨金，练奔卒万人，蹑击齐、豫、皖、鄂、淮徐五行省之郊。血战三载，卒灭东捻王任柱、赖文洸。病剧，乃归。 　　同治七年，西捻王张总愚自关北渡河突畿疆，京师大震。李公特表公节度诸军为上将，血战灭之。中原大定。论功第一，诏锡一等男。九年，回寇突关中，棘甚；特诏督陕西军为大帅。未几，复引归。自是海内承平。公独宝古周盘，筑亭大潜山抵。要人不悔，尝角巾往来秦淮上，乐诗歌琴管十年，翛然若忘天下，独酒酣太息敌国外患，辄孤啸不忍言。 　　光绪六年，俄罗斯夺我伊犁，特诏入都询方略，辄复归。又四年而台湾难作，卒保危台，任巡抚八年乃归。 　　初，光绪九年，法兰西夺我越南，遂荡闽海，觊台湾，扼南洋要我。十年，朝命李公趣公出，公方泛西湖，未之应。闰五月，台湾事岌，始诏用巡抚衔督台湾军事。乃强起以东。台峤孤绝海中，危甚。公至，建军府台北，而基隆适当敌冲。莅台十日，法将驱铁舰辄大至。基隆仅五炮，不能军，舰炮攻，台辄毁。公曰：『台北萃饷为根本地，死守基隆，敌且袭台北制吾命。且敌舰横海上，我独无。江督赁三舰济师，辄败返。此绝域也，不舍基隆〈口舀〉敌，避舰攻，致陆战，如何哉』？则徙军沪尾，扼基隆山后断其冲。躬壁淡水，策前军卫军府。朝士大哗，坚不动。血战逾年，屡破法军于岸上，斩其将，法兵死者千数百人。军士至饮溺为活。身为大帅，短衣草履卧山野，战辄亲出当军锋。一日，**堕马下，左右皆惊，公则从容指挥，距跃奋进。众以是益服其神勇。当是时，法既大破闽军，绝台援，基、沪距台北裁八十里，卒不获夺台湾要我。天子闻其状，特拜福建巡抚宠嘉之。盖自中国外战，数千年未有险绝如此者。公自是威名震海外矣。 　　十一年，和议成，朝议建行省台湾，坚国蔽。天子柶其忠，遂拜巡抚台湾之命。公念制敌莫先自守，以台保台，而后可纵横海上。台疆周二千里，生番亘山中七百里，岁出杀掠苦吾民。绅吏贪残，赋财益绌。则抚剿悍番六百社，廓垦疆，惩贪墨，清赋税，增设府、厅、州、县、布政使固其民，建澎湖总兵，移两副将制前后山扼中权，合台镇，张厥武，创商轮、邮电，广硫磺、盐茶，凿前后山二百里辟巨道，谋铁道七百里纵之，拟建省城于彰化，镇全台。始至，岁入九十万，及归，岁乃三百万。既开制造厂，兴武校，拓营台，广兵轮鎗鎗，制水雷。当是时，醇亲王督海军，李公佐之，皆锐意任公经营海表。两宫大喜，特晋太子少保兵部尚书衔帮办海军。公益慷慨激发，锐志辟海军，谋日本，为国家东南保障。未几，醇亲王薨，李公孤立，户部抗疏令海军十年毋增炮舰，李公争不获。公乃迭疏乞骸骨以归。归四年而朝鲜之难作矣。 　　公钟声铁面，雄侠威棱，为治用兵，曰勤廉简。少读书，喜奇略。功成勇退，则益静研中外得失之林。尝来嘅古兵法多主奇，其正乃在治国，故虽年二十九提督畿疆，三十五辄拜钦使督关军，顾不乐以武功襮天下，居恒目营心摹，思耸国家于富强之列。事权既不尽属，辄郁郁不得发舒。晚治岩疆，艰难缔造，虽绩效炳然，顾未竟其志。性伉爽刚毅，谋国一本血诚，不顾问流俗毁誉。虽李公患难久，知独深，及抗论大计，辄面赤眦裂，李公恒屈下之。盖其纵横奇侠，实有非常度所能测者。 　　同治间，士大夫方咏太平，竞党争，诟西法，公独谓非罢科举，火部案，辟西校，拔真才，不出十年，中国将不可问！及伊犁事起，独抗言开铁道，通国脉，使兵饷出朝廷，督抚无能牵制，然后天下可为。今事败乃践公谋，患且不可治矣！ 　　公尝登基隆山，张远镜，东望慨然曰：『彼葱郁者非日本三岛耶？失今不图，吾且为彼虏乎』！及闻海军罢，则顿足叹曰：『人方盗我，我乃自抉其藩，亡无日矣』！故卒归不出。 　　今公殁十年，李公亦崎岖庚子间以死。中兴诸老尽矣。自古忧微之士，每不获行其说于未败之前，衰世之臣不恤以国家殉其门户，固如此。然则公之进退生死，其重系天下为何如哉！ 　　公讳铭传，字省三，安徽合肥人。咸丰之乱年十八，独起诛土豪，团练保乡里。尝登所居大潜山，谓大丈夫当生爵死谥，安能龌龊科举间。当异军特起，辄思独树淮南北，不乐隶他人，卒建铭军名天下。薨年六十，两宫震悼，赠太子太保，谥壮肃，赐专祠、列传，爵子孙如其志。乃最其大者着于墓道之碑。铭曰： 　　霍古天柱，雄镇江淮，郁彼间气，荡厥丛霾。赫赫徐常，越刘代起，旷五百年，英风畴似。既平大难，独藏厥躬，元鹤丽天，万籁斯融。晚镇危疆，气吞强敌，壮志沉埋，卧我岩壁。台亡公逝，函夏安归？浩浩江淮，万古长〈言意〉！ 　　书刘壮肃公碑阴 桐城陈澹然撰 　　同治间，海内承平，文儒喜党争，竞门户。李、刘二公皆豪杰，尤厌绝之。 　　霍山黄从默言，虢季子白盘者，固周宣王十二年所制故物也。道光间，常州徐燮钧任陕西郿县，得而宝之，常州陷，没于贼。刘公克常州，得之，则大喜，筑盘亭于所居大潜山为乐。某氏者，常熟巨家也，巨金购之，公不可；则请连婚媾阴图之，公辞益坚；则大怒。 　　李公之克苏城也，见苏人颂李秀成碑壮丽甚，苏巨家某氏名皆列焉，始固未之诘也。既克苏，军多饷益绌，取富捐佐之，苏人劾诸朝。李公怒曰：『若辈颂贼酋，吾不问，乃假此怼我哉』！则命五百人匝其碑，将按治。苏人大惧，敛饷金数十万谢之，乃已。 　　苗沛霖之乱淮北也，某氏之兄方抚皖，结师弟右之。乱作，逮诸朝。其父固师相，贵甚，乞皖人疏救之。皖人持不可，益大恨，仇皖益深。 　　同、光间，两人方以名士主朝局，奔走清流。二公益傲睨不下。李公常笑曰：『若曹但善走东华门耳！乌足与言天下事哉』？ 　　自西人之起，二公辄深忧太息，非变科举、重西法、练海军、开铁道，不足图吾存。清流溺文字，目不见西书，益大哗，以为乱法。故李公困畿疆二十年，疑谤纷拏，终不获行其志。公益痛心不出。厥后铁道之阻、海军之罢、甲午之战，嫉者固未达中外强弱之殊，要其议主自李、刘，则固有不惜舍封疆以殉门户者。 　　方朝鲜之乱作也，我师壁牙山，寡甚。桐城陈澹然方报罢，客京师，拟疏乞某公达诸朝，请拜刘公钦差大臣督朝军，与李公相表里。某公不可。强争之不获，则请某给谏达之。翌日而廷寄命李公传旨召公出。公曰：『吾任封疆，即引归，固大臣也。今廷寄等之列将，岂朝廷所以待大臣之义哉』！辞不出。八月，朝军溃，复召之，卒不出。其明年，同里张云锦过谒公，叩之。公叹曰：『朝事方起，朝廷苟命吾为帅督前军，吾当重扼鸭绿江，保全辽，观衅而动，边事尚可为也。迨平壤既败，其事尚可为耶？且观吴大澄之出，何啻王化贞之抚辽？夫已氏之处枢廷，何啻叶向高之为相？微论铁道不兴，海军久罢，事固未易谋也，即勉图一出，有不千挠百折，致吾熊襄愍之续哉』？呜呼！此公急流勇退之不可及也。 　　公伟干雄豁，始年十五尚不慧，一日梦虎搏己，惊而寤，辄奇敏绝人。年十八，土豪假团练虐其父，豪去，公自书塾归，怒谓诸兄曰：『丈夫当自立，安能耐此辱哉』！徒手蹑豪马，请决战。豪顾狂笑曰：『孺子敢当我哉！吾授若刀，能杀我则壮士也』！公喜，手豪刀猝斩之，乘其马，手其头，登高大呼曰：『某豪虐乡里，吾斩之，能从吾者当保若里』。壮士大喜，归者数百人，遂筑堡寨为其长。寺中有铜佛数百尊，寇侮之辄死，公独冶铜佛制炮，佛竟寂然。里人益相惊以为天授。当是时，官军寇盗错肥西，公辄奴下之，谓莫足当吾意者。尝思独树淮南北，骋其奇，久不获。同里张靖达公树声言于李公，请召之。李公困曾幕久，自请讨苏州，则召公以出。始将纔五百人，及防陕，铭军乃至二万。淮军独行中国三十年，铭军辄冠其曹。告归，所部辄戍重边当一面。 　　其讨捻也，捻方阻河冰自固，诸将争演剧祷河神。河神者，状类蛇，微甚，独奇变若神，尝平地涌水数十丈。朝廷敬惮之，所封某大王者也。及是，公独手佩刀掷神案叱曰：『吾奉天子命讨捻，明日冰不开，当斩汝』！是夕，冰竟豁然。其自台归也，有巨物拥其舟，海涛壁立，舟荡甚。军将大恐，请曰：『龙物送公返，请谢之』。公出，命发炮挥赤帜遣之。巨物竟去，风涛晏然。其神勇天授，盖有非人力所能为者。 　　公性傲睨，厌华士，得贤才辄尊礼之。和州李煌言其师朱景昭者，号默存，合肥优贡生，奇士也，博学多奇识。英果敏公翰抚皖，重其才，尝为兄弟交。英公阅武坐将台；朱独布衣手蒲扇以往。英公虚左席敬之，朱辄岸然不怍。李公既相，诮朱曰：『君深汉书，近何读』？曰：『读霍光传耳』。李公严惮之，不能用也。公独尊入幕，宾礼之。讨捻之师久不效，公问之。朱笑曰：『捻如马贼，官军欲以步武胜之，如何哉？惟以捻制捻耳』。公大悟，即日焚短香，置巨金壁门外，令曰：『能刻寸香绕六营三匝，首至者取此』。军士皆乐奔，最后至有刻寸香绕十四营三匝者。故捻飙疾如风雨，铭军亦风雨赴之，卒以成大功，名天下。朱死，公独厚赙之。既贵家居，有石超者，湖北童生也，年少，独以兄弟称请见，长揖踞上坐。公奇之，命属对则应如响（出云：持三寸帖；见一等男，童生大胆称兄弟；对云：手八行书，行万里路，布衣长揖傲王侯）。公大喜，延为上客。 　　当告归时，清流论将才，于公率訾议。独闽人陈阁学宝琛奏议中一语推重之。厥后公抚台，陈适罢，贫甚，公恒以他事给之；其肝胆如此。 　　光绪十七年，余客金陵，落拓甚，上书李文忠公于天津，冀得一言于南帅刘忠诚，俾得著书养母。李公笑曰：『才类省三，舍老夫惟省三能用之耳。刘岘庄安能用此才哉？惜乎其归也』！然卒不获见两公，而国事乃不忍言矣。故于两公尤耿耿云。（自记） 　　纪刘省三宫保守台湾事状 桐城张传耜撰 　　华夷交骋，乃前古未有之变局，而战争遂不可以宁。光绪乙酉，法兰西构难于安南，既而东窥台湾，谋内犯。朝廷顾念南服，以今宫保刘公省三抚其地。 　　台湾者，本孤岛，为地数千里，悬海外。国初，降草窃者郑成功之孙克塽，始入版图，置郡县隶于闽，而为东南海疆之屏蔽。至是更改设行省焉。 　　命下之日，有以书致公京师，谓敌将邀于海而为公危者。公阳惧，先期征师船为卫。至沪上，更示趑趄状，而阴则潜舟以济。比至，敌人蹑公者之舟亦至，而已无及矣。 　　当是时，台湾绝未备，师不逾千，饷不盈亿，战守之具无一可恃者。公虽至，仓卒不遑有施设，第檄镇兵八百人扼基隆而已。基隆为涉海遵陆之首途，南距省治曰台北府六十里，连峰绝巘，而狮球岭横阻于其中。越日，法兰西以兵舰九艘集，隳其垒。更筑垒，置巨炮，为仰攻狮球计。公夜窥敌形，谓左右曰：『征师未即至，敌锐甚，恐不可久守。盍战而却之』？将曙，天大雨雾，乃命骁将率精卒百人潜入敌垒旁之空室，更以镇兵从别将出他道趋敌后。百人者出不意，猝举炮击敌垒。近陴者多死。镇兵复鼓噪薄之。敌惊溃，争奔其舟。舟泊处近断岸，陡绝不可攀，挤而堕溺者若凫鹜之集，毙其巨酋一，获级数百计。遂复基隆。 　　初，法兰西之入安南也，以为必可举其国。及至其境，刘永福以谅山之众搘拄于其间，朝廷复以冯、鲍诸军遏之。其分兵窥闽疆、犯台湾，盖智穷思有所袭据，以为和议地耳。不图公甫临治，即以军师却之，用是益忿公，而公亦知其必不已也。 　　省治西百八十里有濒海要隘曰沪尾者，由基隆鼓轮舟半日可至。复基隆后数日，敌更以巨舰十二载师续至，而以前所至舟攻沪尾，若为以劲师袭基隆也者。公下令弃基隆，独留二百人扼狮球岭。左右皆以基隆必不可弃，环跪而谏，公曰：『是吾意也，咎吾自当之。若以基隆失他隘，君等能任其咎乎』？众不能对。公遂以师夜驰入沪尾，密为备。明日，敌舟果悉至，毁垒而登，众以万计。我师接战不利，将败北，别将率伏兵从他道突出，殊死闘，敌始溃却，蹙至海滨，其舟不可近，乃争以漆艇渡，艇小不任重，满则溺焉，遗械弥地，斩馘逾千。盖至是士气始大张。未几，闽师失利，和议成，遂无可战矣。 　　是时法兰西屡见绌于安南，其在台湾者复被创不得逞。倘闽疆得人，直可使无片帆归耳，而惜乎不能，夫寗非天欤！且法兰西为泰西强国，果使大有所挫，则海外国必震惧，修睦惟谨，况其余孤弱岛国，尚敢为他日患乎？而惜乎不能，夫寗非天欤！ 　　是役也，以千余疲病之师，当十倍之强敌，非公机智沉绝，不能至是。然闻战之日，敌所用炸炮多堕泥淖中，不能再发伤人，其间抑又似有天焉。 　　先是公下令军中曰：『杀敌一级者赏百金』。有朱哨官者，见前军乍却，乃尽裂其衣服，袒身衔利刀，持炮狂呼轰击而进。其属五十人亦大呼驰进。遂衷敌师，裂其阵。比罢战，朱哨官血淋漓满身，不可睹面目。公戮前军之却者，即以其众俾朱率之。观此，则公之弛张进退，与素所以待将士者为何如哉？ 　　公在台湾数岁，多惠政。而平番社、辟疆土，尤有伟绩。乞归后，以诗酒自娱，时与田夫野老相过从，笑语为乐。后数年，日本人犯辽阳，我师辄挫衄，有劝公出就征召者，公喟而不应。呜呼，公之心人或未能尽知之，而东边之事则固已为公所料矣。其可慨也夫！ 　　公从孙伯海太守，宦于蜀，台事固其所目睹者。他日述于余，至危险处犹栗然变色。余因获闻其详，而辄状其颠末如此。 　　书先壮肃公守台事 孙朝望谨述 　　先大父壮肃公，既夷粤、捻之难，放浪山水者十余年。晚镇台疆，威信敌国，治台八载，厉行新政；奏疏具载，世可得稽。独其战守之情状，公牍既不尽备，论者多莫能详。爰考之奏议，征诸故老，务求翔实，书其梗概，将以上史馆备采择焉。 　　光绪十年，法兰西扰海疆，诏以公督办台湾军务，加巡抚衔。公既奉命，率亲卒百余人，部将邓长安辈十数。闰五月甲辰朔，丁卯抵基隆。时淮军至者纔六百人，合湘土诸军士不逮四千人。湘军将曰孙开华，宿将也，尝隶鲍超。淮军将名章高元者，位望不逮开华，而勇略与之齐。两人皆先数月各率所部防台。公以兵单，连奏请令江、闽兵轮赴援，皆不获至。公既至基隆，行其炮台，仅有炮五，且仅守前面，不能左右应。曰：『此绝地，恶足恃』？居七日，法兵舰来犯，基隆炮台果毁。公以台湾无兵舰，不可与海战，乃移军基隆山后以诱之。顷之，法人登陆，趋山巅而阵，势锐甚。我军仰攻不利。公念敌炮瞰射莫能御，欲出奇计阴毁之，未知所使，乃召诸将议而激挑之。诸将至，公方食，语幕客曰：『吾尝以数千人破粤、捻十万之众，然皆吾将唐殿魁、刘盛藻力也。使是二人者在，吾岂忧法人哉』！于是章高元、邓长安闻之气咻，眦尽裂，乃进曰：『某等从公亦十余载矣，公今困绝域，某等义不生还，唯公命之』！公释箸遽起，前握两人手曰：『好男儿！勉立功名，唐、刘不得专美于前矣』。乃各授以计。于是长安夜率壮士，冒雨蛇行，潜破法垒，毁其炮。高元与苏得胜、曹志忠东西袭击之。敌死拒良久，高元冒雨奋进，敌兵披靡，阵毙法将三、兵百余，夺纛二、洋鎗数十杆、账房十余架，余卒奔其舰。奏入，有诏褒美，皇太后为颁内帑银三千两以劳军。 　　七月，法以偏师絓我基隆军，别以五舰犯沪尾。沪尾者，基隆后路也，去台北三十里，而军资饟械悉萃台北。孙开华时守沪尾，告急书一日三至。公念事急，不得出十全，必有所弃而后有所取。今敌既不得志于基隆，必以全力攻沪尾。沪尾失，则台北危，基隆之师将自溃。狮球岭去海稍远，地险阻易守。乃下令退军，诸将以为方战胜而退军非计，有叩马泣谏者。公按剑叱曰：『吾计已决，罪谴吾自当之，有违令者斩』。诸将乃不敢复言。我军既退扼狮球岭，立遣高元驰援沪尾，而自驻淡水策应。用知府李彤恩计，填石塞海口。彤恩宦台久，有智略，然郁郁不得志，公一见奇之，数称其才。彤恩于是言公，欲诱敌陆战，非填石塞海口不可。公从之。彤恩因益进张李成。张李成者，台湾人，任侠，喜结交死士，人未之奇也，彤恩独知之，言于公，使募土勇五百人。中朝闻公退基隆，则大骇，严旨趣公旋军基隆。公曰：『兵事变化，恶有隔海可遥度者』？卒守便宜不进。 　　当是时，法既摧闽军于马江，毁兵舰三十，法大将孤拔益鼓胜兵攻沪尾。朝命江督用三轮船济师，皆遏不达。会盛暑，疫疠流行。我军既疲劳，复感瘴，多疾病，军中炊烟日减。公短衣草履，亲拊循卒，吊死问疾，与同食饮。将士感奋，人人皆乐为吾帅死。 　　法既增舰攻沪尾，公令开华、高元分大军为三，距海数里缘山而伏。诫曰：『待敌薄我而后战』。令张李成以土勇五百人伏海滨丛草中，而以羸兵数百当海岸。法舰开巨炮，声震屋瓦，然莫能中。欲入海口，为石所阻，则登陆攻我海岸军。海岸军佯北，法人逐之，薄我大军。我大军殊死战。开华、高元身先士卒，血肉相薄，法人死力进，鎗弹雨注，卒不可败。鏖战久，法军稍益懈，我军逾濠奋击。张李成所将五百人者突出敌背，敌愕顾。我军前后夹击，士卒皆一以当百，短兵接，呼声动天地。法军乱，则反走其舰。我军乘胜踪击，大败之，斩馘千余人，余众奔走相蹂躏。我军益进，蹙之海。敌众登小舟，相挤，舟覆死于海者无算。自是法人不敢复犯沪尾。其踞基隆者扼于狮球岭，不得进尺寸。十二月，法人攻我月眉山，林朝栋、曹志忠、刘朝祜等苦战败之。公以孤军悬隔海外，屡摧强寇，凡战守八月而孤岛卒全。外人观战者皆惊叹，以为不可及。于是公威名动海外矣。 　　初，公之衔命过沪也，法使数来会，探行期。公则置酒高会，声言某日乘某舰渡台。是夜大风雨，公乃微服乘小艇登他舰疾行，去岸数时，法使乃觉，疾发兵舰追之，思要之于海。比至沪尾，则公已登岸两时矣。其督师基隆也，尝亲出当军锋。一日，法军开炸炮，所乘马忽屈伏于地，弹丸从顶上过，左右皆惊失色，公独夷然，益挥军进。众以是益服之。初退基隆，朝士以为怯，论者前后数十疏，诏旨切责，有「谤书盈箧」之语。公卒守便宜，不为动。然朝士终以为怯。及沪尾战捷，军威大振，中外人士闻其战状者，始交颂刘公艰苦绝人云。

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