Ward, Frederick Townsend, 1831-1862

"Devil Soldiers" and the "Ever Victorious Army." Ward, a naturalized Chinese subject, married Chang Mei, the daughter of a mandarin, in 1862. Ward died on September 22, 1862 in Ningpo from wounds suffered in battle.

Army officer and adventurer.

Frederick Townsend Ward was born on November 29, 1831 in Salem, Massachusetts into a prominent family with a military and naval background. He accompanied his uncle, a sea captain, on a voyage to the China coast in 1847. Upon his return, Ward attended the American Literary, Scientific and Military Academy, later known as Norwich University, in Vermont. After leaving school in 1848, Ward sailed to Latin America, Mexico, India, China, and California. In 1859 Ward offered his services to the Chinese imperial government in its war against the Taipings. Chinese bankers provided funds for a private anti-Taiping army made up of Americans and Europeans, of which Ward would be commander. His first military encounter was a debacle. His troops consisted of deserters and untrained civilians, lured by money rather than duty. Ward regrouped, earning a new respect for the Chinese as a fighting force. He amassed highly disciplined and successful troops of native Chinese soldiers commanded by western officers who were experts in the use of modern weaponry. His troops were dubbed the "Devil Soldiers" and the "Ever Victorious Army." Ward, a naturalized Chinese subject, married Chang Mei, the daughter of a mandarin, in 1862. Ward died on September 22, 1862 in Ningpo from wounds suffered in battle.