General Gordon, Saint and Soldier

This ebook was transcribed by Les Bowler.
By J. WARDLE, C.C., a personal friend.
nottingham: Henry B. Saxton, King Street. 1904.
Nothing but the greatest possible pressure from my many kind friends who have heard my lecture on “General Gordon: Saint and Soldier,” who knew of my intimacy with him, and had seen some of the letters referred to, would have induced me to narrate this little story of a noble life. I am greatly indebted to many friends, authors, and newspapers, for extracts and incidents, etc., etc.; and to them I beg to offer my best thanks and humble apology. This book is issued in the hope, that, with all its imperfections, it may inspire the young men of our times to imitate the Christ-like spirit and example of our illustrious and noble hero, C. G. Gordon.
J. Wardle.
THIS BRIEF STORY of a NOBLE, SAINTLY and HEROIC LIFE, I Dedicate with Much Affection To My Son, JOSEPH GORDON WARDLE
“If I am asked, who is the greatest man? I answer, “the best.” And if I am requested to say, who is the best, I reply: “he that deserveth most of his fellow creatures.”
— Sir William Jones .
Chapter I.—Introduction—Gordon’s birth, parentage and school—His first experience of warfare in the Crimea—His display of exceptional soldierly qualities—The storming of Sebastopol and its fall.
Chapter II.—Gordon assisting to lay down frontiers in Russia, Turkey and Armenia—Gordon in China—Burning of the Summer Palace—Chinese rebellion and its suppression.
Chapter III.—Gordon at Manchester—My experiences with him—Ragged School work—Amongst the poor, the old, the sick—Some of his letters to me, showing his deep solicitude for the lads.