Warring Societies of Pre-colonial Southeast Asiaamong navy, infantry, and artillery helped to maintain those citadels
against the Tayson siege until the next summer monsoon allowed the
Nguyen fleets to sail north with reinforcements.
Nguyen Phuc Anh’s campagnes de saisonPrince Nguyen Phuc Anh started his career with years of severe losses
and exhaustion. After several naval and land battles in the Mekong Delta
in 1777, his family was completely defeated. Nguyen Phuc Anh and a few
retainers spent the next decade hiding in swamps and on islands in the
Gulf of Siam. With Siamese aid, he was able to launch a counter-attack
on the Mekong River (1784–1785) but this resulted in the complete
destruction of his fleet. A western missionary states that he lost 400 ves-
sels, 70 Chinese ships, and one Spanish warship.^73
The death of the youngest Tayson brother, Nguyen Lu (1787), and
fighting among the others gave the Prince a perfect opportunity to regain
Gia Dinh in 1788. The tides of war had now turned in his favor. He imme-
diately organized a sophisticated warfare machine in the lower Mekong
that allowed him to repulse most Tayson assaults. As their enemy was well
known for its infantry and war elephants,^74 the Nguyen chose to target
the Tayson navy and its weak connection with land forces. Geographical
factors were also in favor of Gia Dinh, particularly the seasonal monsoon.
In the first seasonal campaign in 1792, the Nguyen navy destroyed most
of Tayson ships in Thi Nai. This base was located in a gulf where there
was a major Tayson armada, reinforced with a shipyard, well-defended
ramparts, and a large number of artillery. The strategic garrison aimed
to protect the capital Quy Nhon from the sea and prevent Nguyen’s
maritime expeditions. In June 1792, the Tayson recruited 40 warships
led by Chinese pirates and prepared a large campaign against Gia Dinh.
Within ten days, Nguyen Phuc Anh commanded 128 vessels and made
a raid on the base. The ensuing battle forced Tayson troops to flee, leav-
ing behind 75 vessels, arms, and a destroyed harbor.^75 The defeat greatly
alarmed Nguyen Hue who immediately prepared a massive campaign
- Phu Lang, “Cuoc khoi day va chien tranh cua Tay son”, 69.
- HLNTC, 282–83.
- DNTL, vol. 2, quyen 6, 93.