June 25, 1859 · North China Theater
June 25, 1859
China's only significant military victory of the entire Opium War era. The Qing garrison had rebuilt and significantly strengthened the Taku Forts, adding iron obstacles in the river channel. When British Admiral Hope led a gunboat assault without adequate reconnaissance, the attack was repulsed with heavy British casualties — 464 killed or wounded, including Hope himself. American Commodore Josiah Tattnall violated U.S. neutrality to rescue British sailors, uttering his famous line: 'Blood is thicker than water.'
Commanders