Li Hsu-pin
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Li Hsu-pin [Li Xubin] (李续宾) (1817-November 15, 1858) was a Chinese general as commander of the Hunan Braves during the Taiping Rebellion.
Born in Hunan Provence to a minor prosperous family, Li Hsu-pin enlisted in the Hunan militia in 1852 (later becoming known as the Hunan Braves). Within four years, Li Hsu-pin would become a veteran combat leader with a reputation as aggressive and resourceful officer. After leading the Hunan Braves in a successful assault against the Taiping stronghold of Wuchang (Wuhan) in December 1856, he would repulse several Taiping couterattacks by using tactics including the construction of a series of water-filled trenches.
Advancing down the Yangtze Valley in early-1858, Li Hsu-pin's forces occupied the surrounding area of Kiukiang (Jiujiang) before capturing the city on May 19. In an offensive to capture the Anhui Provence, Li Hsu-pin would eventually be killed while leading a charge against the Taiping fortress of Luchou on November 15, 1858.
[edit] References
- Michael, Franz and Chang Chung-li, The Taiping Rebellion: History and Documents (Vol. I), Seattle, 1966.
- Teng, Ssu-yu. New Light on the Taiping Rebellion, Cambridge, Mass., 1950.
