Tang Zhengcai
King of Hang Tang Zhengcai | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1816 Qiyang County, Hunan, Qing China |
| Died | 1863 Wuxi, Jiangsu, Qing China |
| Allegiance | Taiping Heavenly Kingdom |
| Service | Navy |
| Battles / wars | Taiping Rebellion |
Tang Zhengcai (Chinese: 唐正才, 1816–1863, born in Qiyang County, Hunan) was an eminent navy leader of the Taiping Rebellion, known during his tenure as the King of Hang (航王).[1] He led the Taiping fleet in many battles, nearly destroying the Xiang Army. He trained other naval officers, including Li Rongfa and Li Xiucheng. Tang was killed in action in 1863.
Tang Zhengcai employed wooden bridges similar in design to the Bailey bridge later developed by Donald Bailey.[citation needed]
Battles
In the a battle near Nanjing on March 10, 1853, Tang commanded the first offensive, successfully cutting off every river pass that could reinforce Nanjing. In 1854, at Lake Dongting, Tang's fleet surrounded the Xiang Army's fleet and destroyed much of it. Tang's fleet later transported 30,000 of Shi Dakai's troops along the Yangtze in a swift surprise attack.
In 1857, Tang's fleet moved to Wuhu, between Wuhan and Nanjing; it remained there to defend the location until 1861, when a Xiang counterattack forced Tang to retreat to Nanjing.
In 1863, he was killed in action – shot by the Huai Army in Wuxi.
References
- ^ Gray, Jack (2002). Rebellions and Revolutions: China from the 1800s to 2000. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-821576-9.
| Battles and campaigns | |
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| Taiping Heavenly Kingdom leaders | |
| Other rebel leaders |
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| Qing dynasty leaders and personnel | |
| Other notable figures | |
| Miscellaneous topics | |
See also: | |
