Participants representing Union troops take part in the 149th Gettysburg Re-enactment on the site of the battlefield in Pennsylvania. Photos: Corbis; Cliff Carter; William B. Radell; Michael J. McAfee, senior editor of Military Images
Participants representing Union troops take part in the 149th Gettysburg Re-enactment on the site of the battlefield in Pennsylvania. Photos: Corbis; Cliff Carter; William B. Radell; Michael J. McAfee, senior editor of Military Images
Irving Moy (centre) re-enacts the role of Guangzhou-born Joseph Pierce during an event at Fort Trumbull State Park in New London, Connecticut.
Irving Moy (centre) re-enacts the role of Guangzhou-born Joseph Pierce during an event at Fort Trumbull State Park in New London, Connecticut.
Irving Moy, dressed as Joseph Pierce, at the latter's gravesite in Meriden, Connecticut.
Irving Moy, dressed as Joseph Pierce, at the latter's gravesite in Meriden, Connecticut.
The tombstone of Hong Kong-born Thomas Sylvanus in Oakland.
The tombstone of Hong Kong-born Thomas Sylvanus in Oakland.
An amputation being carried out during the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863.
An amputation being carried out during the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863.
Bodies of soldiers killed at Little Round Top, the site of an unsuccessful assault by the Confederates against Union troops on July 2, 1863.
Bodies of soldiers killed at Little Round Top, the site of an unsuccessful assault by the Confederates against Union troops on July 2, 1863.
Confederate dead at the edge of Rose Woods, where some of the heaviest fighting occurred.
Confederate dead at the edge of Rose Woods, where some of the heaviest fighting occurred.
Magazines /  Post Magazine

The Chinese soldiers who fought in the American civil war

The American civil war's bloody turning point will be commemorated this week and, thanks to a small band of dedicated historians, the involvement of a handful of Chinese combatants - as well as their shameful treatment afterwards - is also being remembered. Stuart Heaver goes in search of long-lost heroes

Stuart Heaver
Stuart Heaver

Updated: 1:29pm, 14 Jul, 2016

Why you can trust SCMP
Participants representing Union troops take part in the 149th Gettysburg Re-enactment on the site of the battlefield in Pennsylvania. Photos: Corbis; Cliff Carter; William B. Radell; Michael J. McAfee, senior editor of Military Images
Participants representing Union troops take part in the 149th Gettysburg Re-enactment on the site of the battlefield in Pennsylvania. Photos: Corbis; Cliff Carter; William B. Radell; Michael J. McAfee, senior editor of Military Images
Irving Moy (centre) re-enacts the role of Guangzhou-born Joseph Pierce during an event at Fort Trumbull State Park in New London, Connecticut.
Irving Moy (centre) re-enacts the role of Guangzhou-born Joseph Pierce during an event at Fort Trumbull State Park in New London, Connecticut.
Irving Moy, dressed as Joseph Pierce, at the latter's gravesite in Meriden, Connecticut.
Irving Moy, dressed as Joseph Pierce, at the latter's gravesite in Meriden, Connecticut.
The tombstone of Hong Kong-born Thomas Sylvanus in Oakland.
The tombstone of Hong Kong-born Thomas Sylvanus in Oakland.
An amputation being carried out during the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863.
An amputation being carried out during the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863.
Bodies of soldiers killed at Little Round Top, the site of an unsuccessful assault by the Confederates against Union troops on July 2, 1863.
Bodies of soldiers killed at Little Round Top, the site of an unsuccessful assault by the Confederates against Union troops on July 2, 1863.
Confederate dead at the edge of Rose Woods, where some of the heaviest fighting occurred.
Confederate dead at the edge of Rose Woods, where some of the heaviest fighting occurred.
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