吳(wu)長慶(1829—1884年(nian)),字筱軒,安(an)徽(hui)省廬(lu)江(jiang)縣(xian)南(nan)鄉沙湖山人。父吳(wu)廷香,由優(you)貢就選教職。其(qi)子(zi)吳(wu)保初,與陳三立、譚(tan)嗣(si)同(tong)、丁惠(hui)康贊同(tong)維(wei)新,被人稱為(wei)“清末四公(gong)子(zi)”。
太平(ping)軍(jun)(jun)轉(zhuan)戰安(an)徽,吳(wu)廷香(xiang)創辦團練(lian),對(dui)抗太平(ping)軍(jun)(jun)。咸豐(feng)四年(nian)(1854年(nian)),戰死廬江(jiang),清廷諭旨賜(si)恤,賞(shang)云騎尉(wei)世職。五年(nian),吳(wu)長慶襲職,安(an)徽巡撫福濟委其(qi)統領舒(shu)城、廬江(jiang)團練(lian)。吳(wu)長慶痛父殉(xun)難,誓與太平(ping)軍(jun)(jun)為敵,不(bu)共戴天。
八月(yue),會(hui)合諸(zhu)軍(jun)(jun)攻克(ke)太(tai)平軍(jun)(jun)要地桃溪鎮,擊退上(shang)派太(tai)平軍(jun)(jun)援軍(jun)(jun),毀太(tai)平軍(jun)(jun)30余壘,升守備(bei)。十一月(yue),安徽巡撫翁同書令其創(chuang)辦合肥東鄉團練(lian),以保合肥。翁同書因(yin)其護城(cheng)效力,賞戴藍(lan)翎(ling)(ling)。大(da)敗太(tai)平軍(jun)(jun)英王陳(chen)玉成于華子崗,功加(jia)都司銜,賞換花翎(ling)(ling)。
咸豐(feng)十一年,奉(feng)(feng)兩江(jiang)總督(du)曾國藩令(ling)(ling),收復廬江(jiang),攻(gong)占三河。曾國藩即(ji)令(ling)(ling)其(qi)(qi)以(yi)所部500人,創(chuang)立淮軍(jun)慶(qing)字營。并(bing)親(qin)手(shou)書寫(xie)“忠孝(xiao)堅(jian)定(ding),不可撓折”八個(ge)大字,贊其(qi)(qi)“忠孝(xiao)”,以(yi)勵慶(qing)軍(jun)將(jiang)士(shi)。不久江(jiang)蘇郡縣被太(tai)平軍(jun)攻(gong)占。曾國藩令(ling)(ling)其(qi)(qi)隨福建(jian)延建(jian)邵道(dao)李鴻章赴援(yuan)上海。吳長慶(qing)首戰(zhan)虹橋取勝,次克柘(zhe)林(lin)、奉(feng)(feng)賢、南匯、川沙、金(jin)山(shan),擊退寶山(shan)太(tai)平軍(jun)強悍援(yuan)軍(jun)。戰(zhan)后(hou)敘功,以(yi)游(you)擊留江(jiang)蘇補用。
同治元年(nian)(nian)(1862年(nian)(nian)),江蘇巡(xun)撫(fu)李鴻章令其(qi)回(hui)籍添募勇(yong)練3營(ying)。適太(tai)平(ping)軍忠(zhong)王李秀成進(jin)攻廬(lu)江,曾國藩即令其(qi)留營(ying)駐守,吳長慶(qing)慨(kai)然允諾(nuo),說道:“此桑梓邦(bang),又吾先人(ren)殉(xun)節地,敢不(bu)勉(mian)”。遂麾軍與李秀成戰(zhan),將太(tai)平(ping)軍擊退。不(bu)久李秀成復(fu)集大(da)軍,再次圍攻廬(lu)江,吳長慶(qing)登(deng)陴固守,伺懈出(chu)擊,又將太(tai)平(ping)軍擊退,廬(lu)江城(cheng)始保無恙。
同(tong)治二年(1863年)率(lv)營返上海,繼續(xu)參加援(yuan)滬(hu)戰(zhan)(zhan)斗。七月,攻拔楓涇(jing)、西塘(tang)等(deng)鎮,摧毀千(qian)窯巢太(tai)平(ping)軍(jun)(jun)營壘(lei),越級(ji)升(sheng)為(wei)副將。十(shi)月,調往浙江鎮壓太(tai)平(ping)軍(jun)(jun)。吳(wu)長慶采取(qu)偷(tou)襲戰(zhan)(zhan)法,欲取(qu)浙江嘉善。在進(jin)攻張涇(jing)匯戰(zhan)(zhan)斗中(zhong),奪(duo)取(qu)北(bei)岸橋壘(lei),將城攻破(po)。同(tong)治三年,率(lv)部進(jin)攻嘉興府城時(shi),左臂(bei)中(zhong)彈丸,仍裹創血戰(zhan)(zhan),斬士卒在前進(jin)中(zhong)回顧者(zhe)數人,軍(jun)(jun)中(zhong)沒有(you)人再(zai)敢后退一步,皆蜂擁而(er)上,蟻(yi)緣登城,破(po)城而(er)入,城即(ji)陷。積(ji)功以總兵記名(ming)(ming)簡放(fang),賞力勇(yong)巴圖魯名(ming)(ming)號。同(tong)治五年,分援(yuan)浙閩,累克湖州、長興、廣德、漳州、漳浦(pu)等(deng)地,因戰(zhan)(zhan)功卓著,旨交軍(jun)(jun)機處記名(ming)(ming),遇有(you)提督、總兵缺出,盡(jin)先題奏。
太(tai)平(ping)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)基本(ben)平(ping)定后,捻(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)復起。吳(wu)長慶(qing)率馬(ma)步隊11營(ying)隨李鴻(hong)章前往(wang)鎮(zhen)壓,進剿于河(he)南(nan)內黃(huang)、滑縣(xian)、浚(jun)縣(xian)、山(shan)東(dong)臨邑(yi)、德州、直(zhi)隸寧津(jin)間。同治五(wu)(wu)年(nian)四(si)月(yue)二十八日(ri),捻(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)張(zhang)宗禹部轉戰(zhan)(zhan)(zhan)至宿遷埠子鎮(zhen)一(yi)帶,吳(wu)長慶(qing)與總兵王占魁、況文榜各率所(suo)(suo)部,夜襲捻(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)營(ying)壘,斬獲捻(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)70余(yu)名。五(wu)(wu)月(yue)一(yi)日(ri)黎明,復由(you)舊河(he)堤(di)內外(wai)分路夾擊,斃捻(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)甚眾。同治六年(nian)四(si)月(yue)十一(yi)日(ri),東(dong)捻(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)轉戰(zhan)(zhan)(zhan)至應山(shan)縣(xian)境,伏(fu)擊清總兵楊鼎勛部,吳(wu)長慶(qing)率隊往(wang)援,殊(shu)死戰(zhan)(zhan)(zhan)斗,將(jiang)(jiang)東(dong)捻(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)擊退。同治七年(nian)五(wu)(wu)月(yue)四(si)日(ri),西捻(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)突(tu)破李鴻(hong)章運河(he)、減河(he)之守,轉戰(zhan)(zhan)(zhan)陽信、海(hai)(hai)豐等地(di),向南(nan)轉移。吳(wu)長慶(qing)飛赴(fu)吳(wu)橋攔截,狂殺捻(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)眾,致(zhi)使西捻(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)遭受巨大損失。東(dong)、西捻(nian)(nian)(nian)(nian)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)殄除凈盡后,清廷賞吳(wu)長慶(qing)穿黃(huang)馬(ma)褂(gua),換瑚敦巴圖魯名號,并(bing)正(zheng)一(yi)品封典。時曾國藩再督兩江,以宿遷、徐(xu)(xu)海(hai)(hai)地(di)處沖(chong)要,民(min)俗強(qiang)悍,常有發(fa)難,需良(liang)將(jiang)(jiang)鎮(zhen)守,乃疏準(zhun)吳(wu)長慶(qing)率所(suo)(suo)部防守徐(xu)(xu)州。
同治八年,潘(pan)鼎新(xin)軍因爭(zheng)糧餉發生嘩(hua)變。水(shui)(shui)(shui)陸兩路(lu)數(shu)千人,蔽河(he)而南。曾國藩令吳(wu)長慶(qing)前往查辦(ban)。嘩(hua)變士(shi)卒欲謀脅慶(qing)軍,以擾(rao)淮陰。吳(wu)長慶(qing)偵(zhen)知,即潛(qian)遣精兵(bing)良將,防守要隘。時河(he)水(shui)(shui)(shui)暴漲,北風勁(jing)吹,水(shui)(shui)(shui)路(lu)乘舟先至(zhi),塞河(he)道數(shu)里。他先以好言召(zhao)羈(ji)其首,后對嘩(hua)擾(rao)骨干立(li)即斬首,再曉(xiao)以利害(hai),眾皆懾服,不(bu)(bu)(bu)敢亂為。盡收其旗(qi)幟、槍炮、刀矛。適(shi)陸路(lu)趕至(zhi),他們見從水(shui)(shui)(shui)路(lu)先至(zhi)的一(yi)(yi)部已(yi)被解除武裝,感僅陸路(lu)一(yi)(yi)部勢(shi)單(dan)力薄(bo),不(bu)(bu)(bu)敢較(jiao)量,亦就(jiu)撫。吳(wu)長慶(qing)另(ling)筑營舍,將嘩(hua)變士(shi)卒與慶(qing)軍分(fen)開居住,并令軍中(zhong)不(bu)(bu)(bu)得(de)有(you)一(yi)(yi)人與其通話(hua)。派(pai)得(de)力人員(yuan),分(fen)別(bie)鄉貫,資送回家,旬日大(da)定。漕運總督張之洞,疏稱吳(wu)長慶(qing)在(zai)處理鼎軍嘩(hua)變事件中(zhong),有(you)條不(bu)(bu)(bu)紊,請予(yu)獎敘(xu)。清廷(ting)允(yun)奏,賞加(jia)一(yi)(yi)級,記錄2次。
同治九年,吳(wu)長(chang)(chang)慶奉命率部移(yi)駐揚(yang)州。時母親病逝,欲告假歸里守喪。曾國藩奏(zou)準(zhun)詔(zhao)諭(yu),照軍營慣例,穿(chuan)孝服百日,戴孝管理營務,吳(wu)長(chang)(chang)慶遵詔(zhao)而從。同治十一年,調駐江浦,督(du)所部疏(shu)浚(jun)揚(yang)州、儀征鹽河,不(bu)久移(yi)屯江陰。兩江總(zong)督(du)沈葆(bao)楨奏(zou)言:“長(chang)(chang)慶一軍,號令嚴肅,所駐之處,官民有戀(lian)戀(lian)不(bu)舍之意”,深(shen)得清廷(ting)贊賞。
同治十(shi)三年,日(ri)本在臺灣尋端肇(zhao)釁(xin),清廷令其(qi)添募慶字4營,筑江(jiang)陰、江(jiang)寧(ning)(ning)炮臺,加強長江(jiang)防務(wu)。時六合鄉(xiang)民,因漕(cao)(cao)(cao)糧負擔沉重,聚(ju)眾嘩訴,沈葆楨令吳長慶速往處理(li)。他只身乘單騎,一夕(xi)至(zhi)城(cheng)下(xia),將主謀誘至(zhi),許其(qi)不死,然(ran)后(hou)好(hao)言說服,立散其(qi)眾。吳長慶以為,“江(jiang)寧(ning)(ning)漕(cao)(cao)(cao)糧之(zhi)重,同于蘇(su)、松二府(fu)(fu),而(er)六合與賊(太平(ping)軍)相抗(kang)最久,被害(hai)亦(yi)最酷(ku),今二府(fu)(fu)減(jian)漕(cao)(cao)(cao)糧五(wu)十(shi)四萬,而(er)江(jiang)寧(ning)(ning)如故(gu),富者且為能納,則貧者流亡日(ri)多……宜奏(zou)請減(jian)之(zhi)。”沈葆楨深感(gan)言之(zhi)有理(li),因有請減(jian)江(jiang)寧(ning)(ning)五(wu)屬漕(cao)(cao)(cao)糧之(zhi)奏(zou)。
光緒元年(nian)(nian)(1875年(nian)(nian)),敘功授直(zhi)隸正(zheng)定(ding)鎮總兵,沈(shen)(shen)葆(bao)(bao)(bao)楨疏請(qing)(qing)留防江南,從(cong)緩(huan)赴(fu)任,清廷如所請(qing)(qing)行(xing)(xing)。光緒二年(nian)(nian),寧國(guo)府(今宣城地區)天主教(jiao)(jiao)徒(tu)白會清、黃之(zhi)紳、楊琴(qin)錫等,以(yi)教(jiao)(jiao)會之(zhi)名(ming),陵暴鄉(xiang)里,誘匿少婦,恣其(qi)(qi)(qi)淫虐,激起民(min)(min)眾憤慨(kai)。鄉(xiang)民(min)(min)萬人(ren),奮呼云集(ji),用木棍將黃之(zhi)紳、楊琴(qin)錫打死,放火燒毀(hui)教(jiao)(jiao)堂,白會清僅以(yi)身(shen)(shen)免。他挑動(dong)西洋教(jiao)(jiao)士(shi)構訟,為(wei)(wei)(wei)黃、楊二人(ren)報仇雪恨,衙門到處抓(zhua)人(ren),民(min)(min)眾疑懼不(bu)(bu)安,沈(shen)(shen)葆(bao)(bao)(bao)楨又(you)遣吳長(chang)(chang)慶(qing)(qing)前往(wang)處理(li)。吳長(chang)(chang)慶(qing)(qing)甫至(zhi),教(jiao)(jiao)士(shi)指控建平(今郎(lang)溪縣)人(ren)何諸為(wei)(wei)(wei)首(shou),要立(li)即將其(qi)(qi)(qi)斬首(shou)。何諸謁見(jian)吳長(chang)(chang)慶(qing)(qing)說:當時衙門亂抓(zhua)亂捕,不(bu)(bu)得主名(ming),民(min)(min)眾惶惶不(bu)(bu)可(ke)終(zhong)日(ri),為(wei)(wei)(wei)解(jie)釁(xin)息(xi)事(shi)(shi),自請(qing)(qing)受戳。吳長(chang)(chang)慶(qing)(qing)認為(wei)(wei)(wei),袒民(min)(min)不(bu)(bu)可(ke),枉法徇教(jiao)(jiao)也不(bu)(bu)可(ke),力(li)排干擾,查明事(shi)(shi)實真(zhen)相(xiang),呈請(qing)(qing)何諸無罪,嚴懲教(jiao)(jiao)會不(bu)(bu)法行(xing)(xing)為(wei)(wei)(wei)。并建議沈(shen)(shen)葆(bao)(bao)(bao)楨親自審(shen)理(li)此事(shi)(shi)。沈(shen)(shen)葆(bao)(bao)(bao)楨為(wei)(wei)(wei)其(qi)(qi)(qi)所言(yan),事(shi)(shi)遂平息(xi)。吳長(chang)(chang)慶(qing)(qing)駐防江寧期間(jian),江浦(pu)有條(tiao)河(he)名(ming)黑水(shui)(shui)河(he),年(nian)(nian)年(nian)(nian)水(shui)(shui)患為(wei)(wei)(wei)害,橫溢200余里,民(min)(min)眾苦不(bu)(bu)堪言(yan)。吳長(chang)(chang)慶(qing)(qing)率(lv)部(bu)滅蝗,常行(xing)(xing)其(qi)(qi)(qi)河(he),悉知民(min)(min)眾疾苦,即建議疏通下游泉(quan)河(he)、玉帶河(he),以(yi)根治黑水(shui)(shui)河(he)水(shui)(shui)患。光緒四年(nian)(nian)秋,沈(shen)(shen)葆(bao)(bao)(bao)楨依其(qi)(qi)(qi)言(yan)奏請(qing)(qing)河(he)事(shi)(shi),委吳長(chang)(chang)慶(qing)(qing)以(yi)軍力(li)治河(he)。他受任后(hou),從(cong)勘察到材料(liao)籌集(ji),從(cong)兵力(li)安排到工(gong)具配備,凡事(shi)(shi)身(shen)(shen)必躬親,苦戰2年(nian)(nian),將工(gong)程大(da)部(bu)完成。其(qi)(qi)(qi)后(hou)大(da)學士(shi)左(zuo)宗棠總督兩江,繼續其(qi)(qi)(qi)事(shi)(shi),直(zhi)至(zhi)完成,深為(wei)(wei)(wei)民(min)(min)眾贊頌(song)。
光(guang)緒六年元(yuan)月(yue),吳長慶(qing)升(sheng)浙(zhe)江(jiang)提督(du)。十月(yue),調任(ren)廣東(dong)(dong)水(shui)師(shi)提督(du),未赴任(ren)。時法(fa)國與越南構兵(bing),沿海(hai)戒嚴,清(qing)廷命吳長慶(qing)幫辦山東(dong)(dong)軍務。適(shi)張之洞彈劾山東(dong)(dong)四鎮總(zong)兵(bing)驕悍(han),營規(gui)不整(zheng),清(qing)廷即令其查閱四鎮。并歸節(jie)制,吳長慶(qing)率所部(bu)屯駐(zhu)登州。
光緒(xu)八(ba)年,朝鮮(xian)禁軍叛亂,進犯王(wang)(wang)宮(gong)(gong),殺(sha)戮大臣(chen),王(wang)(wang)妃(fei)(fei)失蹤,并火(huo)燒日本使(shi)館(guan),殺(sha)害使(shi)館(guan)人員,日發兵干預。中國(guo)駐日使(shi)節黎(li)庶昌電告北洋(yang)大臣(chen)張樹聲,遣兵輪(lun)3艘前(qian)往(wang)按治。但所派兵輪(lun)駛抵仁川停在(zai)日輪(lun)后部(bu),士氣沮喪不(bu)能濟事。清(qing)廷聞奏(zou),即(ji)(ji)令(ling)吳(wu)長(chang)慶(qing)(qing)率兵輪(lun)前(qian)往(wang)。七(qi)月,軍抵南陽(yang)府。日使(shi)挾兵前(qian)來談判(pan),因(yin)條件苛求(qiu),談判(pan)不(bu)成,憤(fen)憤(fen)而去(qu)。吳(wu)長(chang)慶(qing)(qing)當機立斷,先占(zhan)王(wang)(wang)宮(gong)(gong),日使(shi)悔,乃(nai)就(jiu)盟(meng)。慶(qing)(qing)軍入王(wang)(wang)宮(gong)(gong)時,其為首分(fen)子(zi)朝鮮(xian)王(wang)(wang)父大院君李昰應正在(zai)造兵聚黨,擴大事態。吳(wu)長(chang)慶(qing)(qing)將其誘至,筆(bi)談及(ji)暮(mu),力(li)勸(quan)不(bu)聽,即(ji)(ji)揮隊將其擁赴南海口,安置在(zai)登瀛洲船上,送往(wang)天(tian)(tian)津。第二天(tian)(tian)擊(ji)散亂黨,迎復王(wang)(wang)妃(fei)(fei),將事態平息。清(qing)廷以吳(wu)長(chang)慶(qing)(qing)功最,賞三等輕車都尉,留鎮漢城。吳(wu)長(chang)慶(qing)(qing)駐朝2年,組織(zhi)朝鮮(xian)人民(min)(min)修道路(lu),筑橋梁,救(jiu)災恤喪,示(shi)以恩信。回國(guo)時,朝鮮(xian)人民(min)(min)作歌相送。
光緒(xu)十年四(si)月(yue),吳長(chang)慶(qing)奉命移防(fang)金州(zhou),閏五月(yue)病逝。大學士直隸總督李鴻章疏請(qing)優恤,付史館立(li)傳,準于立(li)功地方(fang),建專祠,謚(shi)武(wu)壯,以(yi)其次子(zi)吳保初襲職主事(shi)。吳長(chang)慶(qing)好讀(du)書(shu),愛(ai)人才(cai),時稱儒(ru)將(jiang)。