道咸同間駐守澳港兩地廣東將領張玉堂事蹟考補

Zhang Yutang’s ancestors lived in Hulu Ling, Boluo County, Guangdong for generations. Zhang used to participate in the Imperial Examination in his early years, but failed to obtain any degree. Then he served in the army and eventually became a military officer stationed in Macau and Hong Kong. Zhang repeatedly garrisoned Xiangshan County and took field investigation in Macau, he also wrote poetries during his visit to A-Ma Temple. Zhang had been holding the post of Dusi (battalion commander) of Qianshan Battalion during the events that occurred in the year 1849 such as Macau’s governor Ferreira do Amaral expanding the Northern territory of Macau, Amaral being assassinated and the Portuguese capturing the Border Gate. Notwithstanding the fall of the Border Gate and total defeats in Lata Stone Fort, Zhang did not receive any punishment but was instead promoted. Zhang also repeatedly garrisoned Kowloon. But during his tenure, Kowloon Walled City was captured by bandits and foreigners three times. As the guard general of Kowloon, Zhang abandoned the city and escaped, which was a very disgraceful period of his life. However, Zhang was good at English and social intercourse, and also undertook the work of intelligence gathering from foreigners. These might be important reasons why he had held the post of Fujiang (brigadier) of Dapeng Brigade for 12 years.