吳(wu)(wu)長慶(qing)(1829—1884年),字筱(xiao)軒,安徽省廬(lu)江縣(xian)南鄉沙湖山(shan)人(ren)(ren)。父吳(wu)(wu)廷香,由優貢就(jiu)選教(jiao)職。其子(zi)吳(wu)(wu)保初(chu),與陳三(san)立(li)、譚(tan)嗣同(tong)、丁惠(hui)康(kang)贊同(tong)維新,被人(ren)(ren)稱為“清末四公(gong)子(zi)”。
太(tai)平軍(jun)轉戰安徽,吳(wu)廷(ting)香創辦團(tuan)(tuan)練(lian),對抗太(tai)平軍(jun)。咸豐四年(1854年),戰死廬江,清廷(ting)諭(yu)旨賜恤,賞云騎(qi)尉世職(zhi)(zhi)。五年,吳(wu)長(chang)慶(qing)(qing)襲職(zhi)(zhi),安徽巡撫福濟委其統(tong)領舒城、廬江團(tuan)(tuan)練(lian)。吳(wu)長(chang)慶(qing)(qing)痛父殉難,誓與太(tai)平軍(jun)為(wei)敵,不共(gong)戴(dai)天。
八月(yue),會(hui)合(he)諸(zhu)軍(jun)攻(gong)克太平(ping)軍(jun)要地桃溪(xi)鎮,擊退上派太平(ping)軍(jun)援軍(jun),毀太平(ping)軍(jun)30余壘(lei),升守備。十一月(yue),安徽(hui)巡撫翁(weng)同書(shu)令其創辦合(he)肥東鄉團練,以保合(he)肥。翁(weng)同書(shu)因其護城(cheng)效力(li),賞(shang)戴藍翎。大敗太平(ping)軍(jun)英王(wang)陳玉成于華子(zi)崗,功加都(dou)司銜,賞(shang)換(huan)花翎。
咸(xian)豐十一年(nian),奉(feng)兩江(jiang)總督曾國(guo)藩令,收復廬(lu)江(jiang),攻(gong)(gong)占(zhan)三河。曾國(guo)藩即令其(qi)以所部500人,創立(li)淮(huai)軍(jun)慶字(zi)營(ying)。并親手書寫“忠孝堅定,不可撓折”八(ba)個大(da)字(zi),贊(zan)其(qi)“忠孝”,以勵慶軍(jun)將士(shi)。不久江(jiang)蘇郡縣被太平(ping)軍(jun)攻(gong)(gong)占(zhan)。曾國(guo)藩令其(qi)隨福建(jian)延建(jian)邵(shao)道李鴻章(zhang)赴援(yuan)上海(hai)。吳長慶首戰(zhan)虹橋取勝,次克柘(zhe)林、奉(feng)賢、南匯、川沙、金山(shan)(shan),擊(ji)退寶山(shan)(shan)太平(ping)軍(jun)強(qiang)悍援(yuan)軍(jun)。戰(zhan)后敘功,以游擊(ji)留江(jiang)蘇補用。
同(tong)治元年(1862年),江蘇巡撫李(li)(li)鴻章令其回(hui)籍添募勇練3營。適太(tai)平(ping)(ping)軍(jun)忠王李(li)(li)秀成進攻廬江,曾國藩即令其留營駐守,吳長(chang)慶(qing)慨然允諾,說道:“此桑梓邦,又吾先人殉節(jie)地,敢不(bu)勉”。遂麾軍(jun)與李(li)(li)秀成戰,將太(tai)平(ping)(ping)軍(jun)擊退。不(bu)久李(li)(li)秀成復集(ji)大軍(jun),再次(ci)圍攻廬江,吳長(chang)慶(qing)登(deng)陴固守,伺(si)懈出擊,又將太(tai)平(ping)(ping)軍(jun)擊退,廬江城始保無恙。
同治(zhi)二年(nian)(nian)(1863年(nian)(nian))率營(ying)返上(shang)海(hai),繼續(xu)參加援滬戰(zhan)(zhan)斗。七月,攻(gong)拔楓涇(jing)、西塘等鎮,摧毀千窯(yao)巢太平軍(jun)(jun)營(ying)壘,越級升為(wei)副將。十月,調(diao)往浙江(jiang)鎮壓太平軍(jun)(jun)。吳長(chang)慶采取(qu)偷(tou)襲戰(zhan)(zhan)法,欲取(qu)浙江(jiang)嘉(jia)善(shan)。在(zai)進(jin)攻(gong)張涇(jing)匯戰(zhan)(zhan)斗中(zhong),奪(duo)取(qu)北岸橋壘,將城攻(gong)破。同治(zhi)三年(nian)(nian),率部進(jin)攻(gong)嘉(jia)興府城時,左臂中(zhong)彈丸,仍裹創血戰(zhan)(zhan),斬士卒在(zai)前(qian)進(jin)中(zhong)回顧(gu)者數人(ren),軍(jun)(jun)中(zhong)沒(mei)有人(ren)再(zai)敢后退一(yi)步,皆蜂擁(yong)而上(shang),蟻(yi)緣登城,破城而入,城即陷。積(ji)功以(yi)總兵記(ji)名簡放,賞力勇巴圖魯名號。同治(zhi)五年(nian)(nian),分援浙閩,累克湖州、長(chang)興、廣德、漳(zhang)州、漳(zhang)浦等地,因戰(zhan)(zhan)功卓著,旨(zhi)交軍(jun)(jun)機(ji)處記(ji)名,遇有提督、總兵缺出,盡(jin)先題奏(zou)。
太平(ping)軍(jun)(jun)基本平(ping)定(ding)后,捻(nian)軍(jun)(jun)復起(qi)。吳(wu)(wu)長(chang)慶(qing)(qing)率(lv)馬步隊11營(ying)隨李鴻(hong)章前往(wang)鎮壓,進(jin)剿于河南內(nei)黃、滑縣、浚縣、山(shan)東(dong)臨邑、德州(zhou)(zhou)、直隸寧(ning)津間。同(tong)治(zhi)五年四(si)月二十八日(ri),捻(nian)軍(jun)(jun)張(zhang)宗禹(yu)部(bu)轉(zhuan)戰(zhan)(zhan)至宿(su)遷(qian)埠(bu)子鎮一(yi)帶,吳(wu)(wu)長(chang)慶(qing)(qing)與(yu)總兵(bing)王占魁、況(kuang)文榜各率(lv)所(suo)部(bu),夜襲捻(nian)軍(jun)(jun)營(ying)壘(lei),斬獲捻(nian)軍(jun)(jun)70余名。五月一(yi)日(ri)黎明(ming),復由舊河堤內(nei)外分路(lu)夾(jia)擊,斃捻(nian)軍(jun)(jun)甚眾。同(tong)治(zhi)六(liu)年四(si)月十一(yi)日(ri),東(dong)捻(nian)軍(jun)(jun)轉(zhuan)戰(zhan)(zhan)至應山(shan)縣境,伏擊清總兵(bing)楊鼎(ding)勛(xun)部(bu),吳(wu)(wu)長(chang)慶(qing)(qing)率(lv)隊往(wang)援,殊(shu)死戰(zhan)(zhan)斗,將東(dong)捻(nian)軍(jun)(jun)擊退。同(tong)治(zhi)七(qi)年五月四(si)日(ri),西(xi)捻(nian)軍(jun)(jun)突破(po)李鴻(hong)章運河、減(jian)河之守(shou),轉(zhuan)戰(zhan)(zhan)陽(yang)信、海(hai)豐等地,向(xiang)南轉(zhuan)移。吳(wu)(wu)長(chang)慶(qing)(qing)飛赴吳(wu)(wu)橋攔(lan)截(jie),狂殺捻(nian)眾,致(zhi)使西(xi)捻(nian)軍(jun)(jun)遭(zao)受(shou)巨大損失(shi)。東(dong)、西(xi)捻(nian)軍(jun)(jun)殄除凈(jing)盡后,清廷賞吳(wu)(wu)長(chang)慶(qing)(qing)穿(chuan)黃馬褂,換瑚敦巴圖魯名號,并正一(yi)品(pin)封典(dian)。時曾國藩再督兩江,以宿(su)遷(qian)、徐(xu)海(hai)地處沖(chong)要,民俗強悍(han),常有發(fa)難,需良將鎮守(shou),乃疏準吳(wu)(wu)長(chang)慶(qing)(qing)率(lv)所(suo)部(bu)防(fang)守(shou)徐(xu)州(zhou)(zhou)。
同(tong)治(zhi)八年,潘(pan)鼎(ding)(ding)新軍因爭(zheng)糧餉(xiang)發(fa)生嘩變(bian)(bian)(bian)。水陸(lu)(lu)兩路數(shu)千人,蔽河(he)而南(nan)。曾國藩令(ling)吳長慶前(qian)往(wang)查辦。嘩變(bian)(bian)(bian)士卒(zu)欲(yu)謀脅慶軍,以(yi)(yi)擾淮陰。吳長慶偵知,即潛遣精(jing)兵(bing)良將(jiang),防(fang)守要隘。時河(he)水暴漲(zhang),北風勁吹,水路乘舟(zhou)先至,塞(sai)河(he)道(dao)數(shu)里(li)。他(ta)先以(yi)(yi)好言召羈其(qi)首(shou),后對(dui)嘩擾骨(gu)干立即斬首(shou),再曉以(yi)(yi)利(li)害,眾皆懾服,不(bu)(bu)敢亂為(wei)。盡(jin)收其(qi)旗幟、槍炮(pao)、刀矛(mao)。適陸(lu)(lu)路趕至,他(ta)們見從水路先至的(de)一(yi)(yi)部已被解除(chu)武裝,感僅陸(lu)(lu)路一(yi)(yi)部勢單力(li)薄,不(bu)(bu)敢較量,亦就撫。吳長慶另筑(zhu)營舍(she),將(jiang)嘩變(bian)(bian)(bian)士卒(zu)與慶軍分開居(ju)住,并令(ling)軍中不(bu)(bu)得有一(yi)(yi)人與其(qi)通(tong)話。派得力(li)人員,分別鄉貫(guan),資(zi)送(song)回家,旬日(ri)大定。漕運總督張之洞,疏稱吳長慶在處(chu)理鼎(ding)(ding)軍嘩變(bian)(bian)(bian)事件(jian)中,有條不(bu)(bu)紊,請予獎(jiang)敘。清廷允奏(zou),賞加(jia)一(yi)(yi)級(ji),記(ji)錄2次。
同(tong)治(zhi)九年,吳長(chang)慶(qing)(qing)奉命率部(bu)移(yi)駐揚州。時(shi)母親病(bing)逝,欲(yu)告假歸(gui)里守(shou)喪。曾國(guo)藩奏準詔諭,照軍營慣(guan)例,穿孝服百日,戴孝管理營務(wu),吳長(chang)慶(qing)(qing)遵詔而從。同(tong)治(zhi)十一(yi)年,調駐江浦,督所(suo)(suo)部(bu)疏浚(jun)揚州、儀征鹽河,不久移(yi)屯江陰。兩(liang)江總督沈(shen)葆楨奏言:“長(chang)慶(qing)(qing)一(yi)軍,號令嚴肅(su),所(suo)(suo)駐之(zhi)處,官(guan)民有戀戀不舍之(zhi)意”,深得(de)清(qing)廷贊賞。
同治十三年,日本在臺(tai)灣尋端肇釁(xin),清廷(ting)令(ling)其(qi)添募(mu)慶字4營,筑(zhu)江(jiang)(jiang)陰、江(jiang)(jiang)寧炮臺(tai),加強長江(jiang)(jiang)防(fang)務。時六合鄉(xiang)民,因漕(cao)糧(liang)(liang)負擔(dan)沉重(zhong),聚眾嘩(hua)訴(su),沈(shen)葆楨令(ling)吳長慶速往處理。他只(zhi)身乘單騎(qi),一夕至城下,將主謀誘至,許其(qi)不死,然后好言說服,立散其(qi)眾。吳長慶以(yi)為,“江(jiang)(jiang)寧漕(cao)糧(liang)(liang)之(zhi)重(zhong),同于蘇、松二(er)府,而六合與賊(太平(ping)軍)相抗最(zui)(zui)久,被害(hai)亦最(zui)(zui)酷,今二(er)府減(jian)漕(cao)糧(liang)(liang)五(wu)十四萬,而江(jiang)(jiang)寧如故,富者且(qie)為能納,則(ze)貧者流亡日多……宜奏(zou)請減(jian)之(zhi)。”沈(shen)葆楨深感(gan)言之(zhi)有理,因有請減(jian)江(jiang)(jiang)寧五(wu)屬(shu)漕(cao)糧(liang)(liang)之(zhi)奏(zou)。
光緒元(yuan)年(nian)(1875年(nian)),敘功授(shou)直(zhi)隸正(zheng)定鎮總兵,沈(shen)葆(bao)(bao)楨(zhen)疏(shu)請留防江(jiang)南,從緩赴任,清(qing)廷如所請行(xing)(xing)。光緒二(er)年(nian),寧(ning)國(guo)府(今(jin)(jin)宣城地區)天主(zhu)(zhu)教(jiao)徒(tu)白(bai)會清(qing)、黃之紳、楊琴錫等,以(yi)教(jiao)會之名(ming)(ming),陵暴鄉(xiang)里,誘匿(ni)少婦,恣其(qi)(qi)淫虐,激起民(min)(min)(min)眾(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)憤慨。鄉(xiang)民(min)(min)(min)萬人(ren)(ren),奮呼云集,用木棍將黃之紳、楊琴錫打死,放火(huo)燒毀教(jiao)堂,白(bai)會清(qing)僅以(yi)身免。他挑動西(xi)洋教(jiao)士(shi)構(gou)訟,為(wei)(wei)(wei)黃、楊二(er)人(ren)(ren)報(bao)仇(chou)雪恨,衙門(men)到(dao)(dao)處(chu)抓(zhua)(zhua)人(ren)(ren),民(min)(min)(min)眾(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)疑懼不(bu)(bu)(bu)安,沈(shen)葆(bao)(bao)楨(zhen)又(you)遣吳(wu)(wu)長(chang)慶(qing)前往處(chu)理。吳(wu)(wu)長(chang)慶(qing)甫至(zhi),教(jiao)士(shi)指控建(jian)平(ping)(ping)(今(jin)(jin)郎(lang)溪縣)人(ren)(ren)何諸(zhu)為(wei)(wei)(wei)首,要立即(ji)將其(qi)(qi)斬(zhan)首。何諸(zhu)謁(ye)見(jian)吳(wu)(wu)長(chang)慶(qing)說:當時衙門(men)亂抓(zhua)(zhua)亂捕,不(bu)(bu)(bu)得主(zhu)(zhu)名(ming)(ming),民(min)(min)(min)眾(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)惶(huang)惶(huang)不(bu)(bu)(bu)可(ke)終日,為(wei)(wei)(wei)解釁息(xi)事(shi)(shi),自請受戳。吳(wu)(wu)長(chang)慶(qing)認(ren)為(wei)(wei)(wei),袒(tan)民(min)(min)(min)不(bu)(bu)(bu)可(ke),枉法徇教(jiao)也不(bu)(bu)(bu)可(ke),力(li)排(pai)干擾,查明事(shi)(shi)實真相,呈請何諸(zhu)無罪,嚴(yan)懲教(jiao)會不(bu)(bu)(bu)法行(xing)(xing)為(wei)(wei)(wei)。并建(jian)議沈(shen)葆(bao)(bao)楨(zhen)親自審理此(ci)事(shi)(shi)。沈(shen)葆(bao)(bao)楨(zhen)為(wei)(wei)(wei)其(qi)(qi)所言(yan)(yan),事(shi)(shi)遂(sui)平(ping)(ping)息(xi)。吳(wu)(wu)長(chang)慶(qing)駐防江(jiang)寧(ning)期間,江(jiang)浦有條河名(ming)(ming)黑水(shui)(shui)河,年(nian)年(nian)水(shui)(shui)患為(wei)(wei)(wei)害,橫溢200余里,民(min)(min)(min)眾(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)苦不(bu)(bu)(bu)堪言(yan)(yan)。吳(wu)(wu)長(chang)慶(qing)率部滅蝗,常行(xing)(xing)其(qi)(qi)河,悉知民(min)(min)(min)眾(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)疾苦,即(ji)建(jian)議疏(shu)通下游泉河、玉(yu)帶(dai)河,以(yi)根治黑水(shui)(shui)河水(shui)(shui)患。光緒四年(nian)秋,沈(shen)葆(bao)(bao)楨(zhen)依其(qi)(qi)言(yan)(yan)奏請河事(shi)(shi),委吳(wu)(wu)長(chang)慶(qing)以(yi)軍力(li)治河。他受任后,從勘(kan)察到(dao)(dao)材(cai)料籌集,從兵力(li)安排(pai)到(dao)(dao)工具配(pei)備,凡事(shi)(shi)身必躬親,苦戰(zhan)2年(nian),將工程大部完成(cheng)。其(qi)(qi)后大學士(shi)左宗棠總督兩江(jiang),繼續其(qi)(qi)事(shi)(shi),直(zhi)至(zhi)完成(cheng),深(shen)為(wei)(wei)(wei)民(min)(min)(min)眾(zhong)(zhong)(zhong)贊(zan)頌(song)。
光緒六年元(yuan)月,吳(wu)長慶(qing)升(sheng)浙江提督。十月,調任廣東水師(shi)提督,未赴(fu)任。時法(fa)國與越南(nan)構(gou)兵,沿海戒嚴(yan),清廷命(ming)吳(wu)長慶(qing)幫辦山東軍務。適張之洞彈劾山東四(si)鎮總(zong)兵驕悍,營(ying)規不整,清廷即令其查閱四(si)鎮。并歸節制,吳(wu)長慶(qing)率所部屯(tun)駐(zhu)登州。
光(guang)緒八(ba)年,朝(chao)鮮(xian)禁軍(jun)(jun)叛亂(luan),進犯王(wang)宮(gong)(gong),殺戮大(da)(da)臣,王(wang)妃(fei)失蹤,并火燒日(ri)本使(shi)館,殺害使(shi)館人員(yuan),日(ri)發兵干預。中國駐日(ri)使(shi)節黎庶(shu)昌電告北洋大(da)(da)臣張樹(shu)聲,遣兵輪3艘前(qian)往(wang)(wang)(wang)按治。但所(suo)派兵輪駛抵仁川停在(zai)日(ri)輪后部,士氣沮喪不能濟事。清(qing)廷聞奏,即令吳(wu)長慶(qing)率兵輪前(qian)往(wang)(wang)(wang)。七月(yue),軍(jun)(jun)抵南陽府。日(ri)使(shi)挾兵前(qian)來談(tan)判,因條件苛求,談(tan)判不成(cheng),憤憤而(er)去。吳(wu)長慶(qing)當機立斷,先占王(wang)宮(gong)(gong),日(ri)使(shi)悔,乃就(jiu)盟。慶(qing)軍(jun)(jun)入(ru)王(wang)宮(gong)(gong)時,其為首分子朝(chao)鮮(xian)王(wang)父(fu)大(da)(da)院君李昰應(ying)正在(zai)造兵聚黨(dang),擴大(da)(da)事態。吳(wu)長慶(qing)將(jiang)其誘(you)至,筆(bi)談(tan)及暮,力勸不聽,即揮隊將(jiang)其擁(yong)赴南海(hai)口,安(an)置在(zai)登(deng)瀛洲船上,送往(wang)(wang)(wang)天(tian)津。第二天(tian)擊散亂(luan)黨(dang),迎復王(wang)妃(fei),將(jiang)事態平息(xi)。清(qing)廷以吳(wu)長慶(qing)功(gong)最,賞三(san)等輕車都尉,留鎮漢城。吳(wu)長慶(qing)駐朝(chao)2年,組織(zhi)朝(chao)鮮(xian)人民修道路,筑橋(qiao)梁(liang),救(jiu)災恤喪,示以恩信。回(hui)國時,朝(chao)鮮(xian)人民作歌相送。
光緒十年(nian)四月(yue),吳長(chang)慶奉命移防金(jin)州(zhou),閏五月(yue)病逝。大學士直隸(li)總督李鴻章(zhang)疏請(qing)優(you)恤,付史館立傳,準于立功地方,建專祠,謚武(wu)壯,以其次(ci)子吳保初襲職主事。吳長(chang)慶好讀書,愛人(ren)才(cai),時稱(cheng)儒將。