对太平军的历史考察

太平军在早年 ,分别男营女营 ,实行圣库制度 ,纪律严明 ,战斗力甚强。后来 ,成员日益复杂 ,粮食供应困难 ,男女混杂 ,纪律日坏。太平军兵由将招 ,饷由将筹 ,形成以家族为核心、以同乡为外围的大大小小的集团 ,较清军的绿营兵有较强的战斗力。久而久之 ,其弊端也突出显现 ,各集团之间互争雄长 ,互相仇杀 ,损失惨重 ,成了太平天国终归失败的重要原因之一。

A Historical Survey of the Taiping Army

In the early years of the Taiping Army, battalions of men and women were separated, disciplines were strict, soldiers' pay was paid by the emperor's treasury, and thus this Army had high combat effectiveness. Later, groups, large or small, were gradually formed on the basis of family or countrymen. As time passed, fights and killing among groups appeared and losses were not avoided. This is one of the important reasons why the Taiping Army was beaten.