ms was erected at
Lanchefoo, and on one occasion as many as 10,000 rifles of the Berdan
pattern were sent in a single convoy. While Tso Tsung Tang, the Viceroy
of Kansuh and Commander-in-Chief, was making these preparations north of
the Tian Shan, for forcing the range with the melting of the snow,
another Chinese general, Chang Yao, was stationed at Hamil for the
purpose of seconding the main attack by a diversion south of the range.
In estimating the total number of the Chinese army at 60,000 men--that
is, 50,000 round Guchen and 10,000 at Hamil--we would express only what
is probable. The total number may have been more or less, but in
estimating it at 60,000 men we believe we are as close to exactitude as
is possible under the circumstances. In the month of March the Chinese
generals had made all their preparations for attacking Yakoob Beg. So
far as our geographical information goes there is no direct road from
Guchen to Turfan, and consequently the chief Chinese attack was made
from Urumtsi against Devanchi, where Yakoob Beg had constructed a fort.
But, although the larger army was manoeuvring north of the Tian Shan,
the decisive blow was in reality struck by the smaller force advancing
from Hamil. If we are to judge from the disposition of the Kashgarian
army, the movements of this brigade had not obtained that attention from
the Athalik Ghazi which they merited.

General Chang Yao captured the small towns of Chightam and Pidjam in the
middle of April without encountering any serious opposition. And from
the latter of these places, some fifty miles east of Turfan, commenced
that concerted movement with his superior, Tso Tsung Tang, which was to
overcome all Kashgarian resistance. A glance at the map will show that
Yakoob Beg at Turfan was caught fairly between two fires by armies
advancing from Urumtsi and Pidjam, and if defeated his line of retreat
was greatly exposed to an enterprising enemy. Upon the Chinese becoming
aware of the success of their preliminary movements a general advance
was ordered in all directions. It is evident that the Chinese were met
at first with a strenuous resistance at Devanchi, and that the forcing
of the Tian Shan defiles had not been accomplished when news reached the
garrison that their ruler had been expelled from Turfan by a fresh
Chinese army. It was then that confusion spread fast through all ranks
of the followers of Yakoob Beg; in that hour of doubt and unreasoning
panic the