the
strength of Quinsan, and also because his ammunition had run short.
But his trouble with his men was not yet over, and he had to face a
serious mutiny on the part of his officers. For improved economy and
efficiency Gordon appointed an English commissariat officer, named
Cookesley, to control all the stores, and he gave him the rank of
lieutenant-colonel. This gave umbrage to the majors in command of
regiments, who presented a request that they should be allowed the
higher rank and pay of lieutenant-colonel; and when this was refused
they sent in their resignations, which were accepted. The affair was
nearly taking a serious turn, as the troops refused to march; but
Gordon's firmness overcame the difficulty. Two of the majors were
reinstated, and the others dismissed, but this incident finally
decided Gordon to change his headquarters from Sungkiang to some place
where the bad traditions of Ward and Burgevine were not in force. The
active operations now undertaken against Quinsan served to distract
the attention of the men, and to strengthen their commander's
influence over them. General Gordon's own description of this affair
is well worth quoting:--

"The force arrived at their old camping ground near the east gate
of Quinsan on the evening of 27th of May. General Ching had
established some five or six very strong stockades at this place,
and, thanks to the steamer _Hyson_, had been able to hold them
against the repeated attacks of the rebels. The line of rebel
stockades was not more than 800 yards from his position. The
force encamped near the stockades; and at daybreak of the 28th
the 4th and 5th Regiments, with the field artillery, moved to
attack them. The right stockade was attacked in front, and its
right flank turned, on seeing which the rebels retreated. They
were in large force, and had it not been for the numerous bridges
they had constructed in their rear, they would have suffered
much, as the pursuit was pressed beyond the north gate close up
to a stockade they held at the north-east angle of the city.
Captain Clayton, 99th Regiment, a very gallant officer who had
gained the goodwill and admiration of every one of the force, was
unfortunately wounded in the attack, and died some months
afterwards of his wounds. Our loss was two killed and sixteen
wounded.

"General Ching was now most anxious to get me