British general 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,” seven pages on two sets of adjoining sheets, 4.75 x 7, May 17, 1866. Lengthy letter to Mr. Nugent while building the forts that guard the Thames River regarding the use of granite or iron for forts. In part, “I have delayed answering your letter till the Corps dinner was over and also till I thought I could tell you about Davison who however has just arrived, but who I hear is by no means a man for J.P.F. ever if Sir W. gave up which he will not do. I was much interest to know if the Tinians could attack your station…situated exactly where they might be expected to come but I suppose they are expended by this time. The Corps dinner though unanimously attended went off…without incident the Duke was as dull as ever…In the best paper on Engineer subjects considering that these young fellows are officers & therefore should only be probably interested in our medal, also that engineering subjects are as…as they could probably be I should say it was…& I trust will not be carried…After the Corps meeting Hutchinson read the report of the corps papers after which…got up & asked why…paper on an experiment which had been filed at…of 300 per…in which the letter had been dreadfully wanted had not been published…Jervois' answer was self defence for…paper…up with the experiment is that granite was useless and was obsolete. Forts must be of iron in the future, it was useless to build forts of granite of course Jervois is building many forts of granite & still thinks it very good (as cheaper). These conclusions are quite condemnatory of him & his work & he was right to defend himself but his manner was very rude & violent…I have seen Hart for a moment only but…see him next week…Nicholson has to go to Caylon next year.” General Gordon lived in Gravesend during the construction of the Thames forts. For six years he devoted himself to the welfare of the town’s poor boys, establishing a Sunday school and providing food and clothes for them from his Army wage. In command of the Royal Engineers from 1865-71, he was responsible for the forts that guard the Thames downstream from Gravesend, New Tavern Fort in the town, Shornemead Fort on the south bank, and Coalhouse Fort on the north. In fine condition, with expected folds and light show-through from text on opposite sides. COA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
