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Battle of Songjin

Type Event Region Asia Time 1640–1642

From 1640 to 1642, Qing forces besieged Jinzhou in western Liaoning; Ming commander Hong Chengchou led 100,000+ troops to relieve it, but was defeate…

Timeline

  1. 1640–1641Jinzhou · JinzhouQing forces under Jirgalang, Dorgon and others dug trenches and besieged Jinzhou, cutting off Zu Dashou's garrison from supply routes to Ningyuan and Shanhaiguan. Jinzhou was the key to the Ming defensive line east of the passes; under prolonged siege the city gradually ran short of food, forcing the Ming court to assemble a large force to break out.
  2. 1641Songshan · JinzhouGovernor-General of Ji and Liaoning Hong Chengchou, by imperial order, commanded Wang Pu, Yang Guozhu, Tang Tong, Bai Guang'en, Cao Bianjiao, Ma Ke, Wang Tingchen and Wu Sangui — eight generals — advancing with over 100,000 infantry and cavalry to Songshan, attempting to open up Jinzhou's outer perimeter. The Chongzhen Emperor pressed for battle, and the Ming army engaged the Qing before securing its supply lines.
  3. 1641Songshan · JinzhouHong Taiji rushed from Shengjing, cutting off the Ming army's supply lines and coastal retreat between Songshan and Xingshan. After a failed night attack, the Ming line collapsed entirely; units under Wang Pu, Wu Sangui and others fled south, cut down by Qing forces along the way, while Hong Chengchou led only remnants back into Songshan to hold out.
  4. 1642Songshan · JinzhouSongshan was besieged for months, out of food and reinforcements. Deputy General Xia Chengde secretly agreed to surrender the city; Qing forces broke through the gates, killing Governor Qiu Minyang and Generals Cao Bianjiao and Wang Tingchen, while Hong Chengchou and Zu Dale were captured and sent to Shengjing. Hong Chengchou at first refused food, and months later shaved his head and surrendered to the Qing.
  5. 1642Jinzhou · JinzhouWith Songshan lost, all hope of outside relief for Jinzhou was gone, and Zu Dashou led his troops to surrender the city to the Qing. The Qing then breached Xingshan with red-barbarian cannons, and Tashan also fell; of the Ming forts east of the passes, only Ningyuan remained. Liaodong's elite troops and large quantities of firearms fell into Qing hands, and the Ming northeastern defense line existed in name only.

Sources