British general (born 1833) who, in 1860, crushed the Taiping Rebellion in China, earning the nickname “Chinese.” Later appointed Governor General of the Sudan, he traveled to Egypt in 1884 to organize the defense of Khartoum against a rebel uprising and was killed there on January 26, 1885, two days before a relief force arrived. ALS signed “C. G. Gordon,” one page both sides, 4.25 x 7, June 6, 1870. Gordon writes from Gravesend to “My dear Clarke.” In part: “I am again going to ask you a favor. You remember a man by name Gimlinton who came … about the breakwater in Galle; if you can manage to do him a good turn with respect to the new harbor, you would much oblige me. I do not know if you have so many applications as I get….” Long vertical ink stroke to first page and light intersecting mailing folds (vertical fold lightly touching “G” of signature), otherwise fine condition. R&R COA.
