Lot 3545

Description

General Charles G. Gordon, 'Chinese Gordon', four page letter note (17.5cm x 11.5cm), written at Brompton Barracks on July 9, 1859 to a friend regarding entry to military premises at Woolwich, site of the Royal Military Academy, signed, C.G.Gordon. With scattered foxing, light showthrough and several pencil notations, otherwise very good and scarce.

Together with Certificate of Authenticity from Todd Mueller Autographs Inc and another from R & R Enterprises Autograph Auctions. General Charles G. Gordon (1833-1885), a professional soldier with a brilliant career. He became famous in the China War of 1860 thus earning the nickname ’Chinese Gordon’ and at one time was Mandarin of the Chinese Army. In 1884 he was appointed Governor General of the Sudan. When the army of the Muslim fundamentalist, the Mahdi, besieged Gordon in Khartoum the British Government were implored to send a relief mission but the British Prime MInister Gladstone delayed for an inordinate length of time and finally when relief was sent it arrived two days too late and Chinese Gordon was dead, murdered by the ’Mad’ Mahdi.