WI: Frederick Townsend Ward survived the Taiping Rebellion

I've just started learning about the details of the Taiping Rebellion in China and I have become enamoured by the character of Frederick Townsend Ward. He was one of two American men who ended up leading one of the most succesful units in the empiral Chinese army known as "The Ever Victorious Army" which Ward had started. He did in 1862 after an abdomenal wound and his command was taken over by the second American mentioned above named Henry Andres Burgevine who mantioned the command for nine months. Ward's actions are considered crucial in winning the Empire's victory over the rebels. Unlike some military leaders of his time he understood that the frontal assault was of limited value against disciplined long range firepower which helped him in his successes. As well he gained alot of military experience before joining the Empires army by serving in the French army during the Crimean war and working as a filibuster with William Walker. Yes THAT WILLIAM WALKER! Also Ward learned to avoid some of Walker's mistakes which included having a reputation for being “excessively vain, weak minded and ambitious…his weakness renders him cruel…”. As well he earned alot of respect from his men in China by being ahead of his time and treating the men of all races and origins equaly. He also took a native chinese women as his wife and wished for his loyal Filipino subordinate Macanaya to succeed him as the commander, but the imperial Chinese court selected Burgevine instead.

I recently ordered a biography on him titled "Devil Soldier: The Story of Frederick Townsend Ward" so that I can learn more.

Now to get to the point. In this thread I'd like to ask that those with more knowledge on the subject of the Taiping Rebellion and Ward himself give their comments on what Ward and his subordinates lives might have been like if he had not been killed as he was in OTL.
 
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Devil Soldier by Caleb Carr is an excellent book. I don't think there has been any major book on either Ward or Walker in the last 60 years. My personal opinion would be that Ward would have eventually become a problem for the conservative clique in the Imperial Government. Not that I can immediately provide any proof of that without looking back over the book, but I feel he would have sided with those seeking to reform the Chinese government.
 
Devil Soldier by Caleb Carr is an excellent book. I don't think there has been any major book on either Ward or Walker in the last 60 years. My personal opinion would be that Ward would have eventually become a problem for the conservative clique in the Imperial Government. Not that I can immediately provide any proof of that without looking back over the book, but I feel he would have sided with those seeking to reform the Chinese government.

Do you think that there was any chance that he or his subordinates such as Burgevine might have moved back to the USA? Seeing either of them in a TL in which they get involved in the ACW would be awsome!
 
Do you think that there was any chance that he or his subordinates such as Burgevine might have moved back to the USA? Seeing either of them in a TL in which they get involved in the ACW would be awsome!
Burgevine is rather likely to return to the USA or elsewhere. Just having him have a falling out with the Qing as OTL and sent back to the United States (assuming Ward doesnt have him executed for defecting).

As for Ward, Li Hongzhang would probably want to keep his old comrade (and his army) around in China, if to increase his own powerbase and nothing else. By the time the Taiping Rebellion is over the ACW will be over soon as well so not much chance of him going back, especially since he planted his roots in China and his job's in China (ie the reason he's paid).
 
Burgevine is rather likely to return to the USA or elsewhere. Just having him have a falling out with the Qing as OTL and sent back to the United States (assuming Ward doesnt have him executed for defecting).

As for Ward, Li Hongzhang would probably want to keep his old comrade (and his army) around in China, if to increase his own powerbase and nothing else. By the time the Taiping Rebellion is over the ACW will be over soon as well so not much chance of him going back, especially since he planted his roots in China and his job's in China (ie the reason he's paid).
Did Burgevine have sympathies to either side during the ACW? Also the ACW still had a bout a year left could'nt Ward perhaps want to go and aid is country out? If Ward stayed in China after the official end of the rebellion in 1864 how much longer might the Ever Victorious Army remain in service?
Devil Soldier by Caleb Carr is an excellent book. I don't think there has been any major book on either Ward or Walker in the last 60 years. My personal opinion would be that Ward would have eventually become a problem for the conservative clique in the Imperial Government. Not that I can immediately provide any proof of that without looking back over the book, but I feel he would have sided with those seeking to reform the Chinese government.
If Ward had lived to see The Boxer Rebellion which side do you think he would have taken?
 
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