#hankow

Famer with buffalo in Hankow, modern-day Wuhan city, Hebei, China

T. Minyano’s lithographic print illustrations c. 1920 of the Battle of Yangxia, the decisive conflict of the Xinhai Revolution, October to December 1911. These are not organized chronologically, but the date of events will be noted - also, Minyano’s depictions are somewhat exaggerated and fictionalized to fit the already heroized subject matter.

1) The Revolution Army in Middle China. The March of the Revolutionary Army on Wuhan, shortly after October 10, 1911. Li Yuanhong and Sun Yat-sen are depicted in the left and right rondels, respectively. Wellcome Images, L0040008. 

2) The revolutionary army, on a hill (left), ambushes part of the imperial army (right) as the latter approaches a city flying the republican flag. This might be depicting the start of the second Qing attempt to retake Hankou on October 27, 1911. Wellcome Images, L0040010.

3) The Revolution War in China, the same battle outside Hankou from the 24th to the 27th of 1911, but viewed from the imperial side. Wellcome Images, L0040020.

4) This depicts the battle on the afternoon of October 18, 1911, when the revolutionaries, having failed to capture the railway station at Liujiamiao that morning, regrouped and, with the help of railway workers, ambushed a train carrying Qing troops heading south. The train derailed and sent the Qing troops fleeing, and more than 400 were killed by revolutionaries. Wellcome Images, L0040003.

5) This depicts the battles between imperial and revolutionary troops for possession of Liujiamiao, between the 25 and 27 of October, 1911. Wellcome Images, L0040013.

6) A depiction of the failed revolutionary attack on Wushengguan further north of Hankou, October 21-22, 1911. Wellcome Images, L0040011.

Bund in Hankow, modern-day Wuhan, China

“Foreign Nations Land Marines In The Burning City,” Toronto Star. October 13, 1911. Page 5. ---- Hankow Is in the Hands of Rebels, and the City Is in Flames --- JAP ADMIRAL COMMANDS ---- Cable Has Been Cut by the Rebels and Communication Is Cut Off ---- Canadian Press Despatch Peking, Oct. 13. - Consular advices received here to-day state that the rebel artillery has occupied a hill commanding Hankow and the rebels have taken possession of the railway station.

The allied foreign mariners have landed and are protecting the foreign concessions under command of the Japanese Admiral Kawashima, the head of the third squadron of the Japanese navy. The Chinese gunboats are anchoring off the foreign concessions for their own safety/

The Provisional President Special to The Star. San Franscisco, Calif., Oct. 13. - A Hankow cable to the Chinese World to-day said that Lai Yuen Ling, formerly one of the chief commanders of the Chinese army, has deserted to the rebels and has been elected porvisional president of the new Chinese republic.

The American counsel, Roger S. Greene, visited Wu Chang to-day and escorted by a party of forty-four foreigners, Italians, English, and Americans. He was received most courteously by the rebel leader, Col. Li.

Hankow is in Flames. Special to the Star Washington, Oct. 15. - The State Department to-day received the following cablegram from Secretary Williams, in charge of the American Embassy, at Pekin:

‘Hankow, reported in flames. Americans seem to be safe. Fifteen thousand men, composing three army corps, have joined the rebels. Communication with Hankow is cut off.’

A message was received from Consul-General Greene, whose station is Hankow as follows:

‘Wu Chang and Hankang are held by the rebels. Hankow is in great disorder. Two American warships, two Japanese, three British, one German, and six Chinese warships are here. The reels have seized the provincial treasury, and have captured one million taels.’

Street scene in Hankow, modern-day Wuhan city, Hebei, China