Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. Major-General Charles George Gordon CB (28 January 1833 – 26 January 1885), also known as Chinese Gordon, Gordon Pasha, Gordon of Khartoum and General Gordon, was a British Army officer and administrator. He saw action in the Crimean War as an officer in the British Army. He made his military reputation in China, where he was placed in command of the "Ever Victorious Army", a force of Chinese soldiers led by European officers that was instrumental in putting down the Taiping Rebellion, regularly defeating much larger forces. For these accomplishments, he was given the nickname "Chinese Gordon" and honours from both the Emperor of China and the British.

A serious revolt broke out in the Sudan, led by a Muslim religious leader and self-proclaimed Mahdi, Muhammad Ahmad. In early 1884, Gordon was sent to Khartoum with instructions to secure the evacuation of loyal soldiers and civilians and to depart with them. In defiance of those instructions, after evacuating about 2,500 civilians, he retained a smaller group of soldiers and non-military men. In the months before the fall of Khartoum, Gordon and Muhammad Ahmad corresponded; Gordon offered him the sultanate of Kordofan and Ahmad invited Gordon to convert to Islam and join him, which Gordon declined. Besieged by the Ahmad's forces, Gordon organised a citywide defence that lasted for almost a year. This gained him the admiration of the British public, but not of the government, which had not wanted him to become entrenched there. Only when public pressure to act had become irresistible did the government, with reluctance, send a relief force. It arrived two days after the city had fallen and Gordon had been killed.

This is an outstanding letter written by C.G. Gordon or “Chinese Gordon” on February 16th, 1872. The letter is written to Colonel Gerald Graham V.C., describing Gordon’s recent visit to the Crimea Battlefields. In particular, he was sent to inspect the British military cemeteries in the Crimea. His correspondant, Gerald Graham, also a Royal Engineer, was awarded the Victoria Cross for coolness and leadership in the attack on the Great Redan on 18 June 1855, in which he led the first ladder party under Russian fire.

Gordon writes his old Crimea comrade:

“I found the house you lived in at Sevastopol and where your blankets were burned in the fire. It is nearly repaired as are the houses along the quay which are now barracks, the holes you made in the Revetement are still there unrepaired… Our graveyard is in first rate condition and the Russian engineers said they would take special care to look after it… Lord Raglan’s house is unoccupied, the Russians would like us to buy it, but I do not think we shall…”

The letter is double-sided and goes into great detail of his visit, and measures 6 x 9”. The envelope, which is included in great condition, measures roughly 3 x 5 ½”. The envelope retains the stamp and the ink stamp showing the 1872 date. The back of the envelope shows in red pencil where it was sent from, Sevastopol.

A tremendous letter & envelope set more than worthy of being professionally framed with a handsome portrait of Gordon. There is very little material in the public market relating to Gordon, and this is the first letter of his we have had the pleasure of offering. Comes ready for further research and display.

“During his time in Crimea, Gordon made friendships that were to last for the rest of his life, most notably with Romolo Gessi, Garnet Wolseley, and Gerald Graham, all of whom would cross paths with Gordon several times in the future.”