It should be noted that the American soldier of fortune Frederick Townes Ward prior to his China adventure had gained valuable military experience as a filibuster, serving as a lieutenant to the famous/infamous William Walker.
"Filibuster"
"A filibuster, or freebooter, is someone who engages in an unauthorized military expedition into a foreign country to foment or support a revolution. The term is usually used to describe United States citizens who attempted to foment insurrections in Latin America in the mid-19th century."
"Filibusters were irregular soldiers who acted without authority from their own government, and were usually motivated by financial gain, political ideology, or the thrill of adventure."
ACTING WITHOUT AUTHORITY - - QUITE OFTEN ILLEGALLY, EVEN AGAINST THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES!! The gringo behaving in a bad way down south of the border!!
Organize, train, plan, and lead into battle a motley crew of mercenaries and locals - - hoping to overthrow the established government to the extent that it exists, establish your own sovereignty over the conquered territory!
A chance for your average citizen who is so inclined to earn some "glory", depending upon your ability, skill and bravery perhaps attain the rank and title of Captain, Major, Colonel. Everybody wants to be a Colonel!
I was and still am only vaguely familiar with the actions of the various filibusters. Seems to have been quite a going concern during that period prior to the American Civil War. Persons - - quite often adventure seekers, hoping to strike it rich quick or even perhaps enlisting as a filibuster merely for the thrill, a vocation so to speak, and NOT LIMITED TO AMERICANS EITHER!!
William Walker perhaps of course the most famous/infamous of the filibusters, the man meeting a bad end while filibustering in Central America - - "live by the sword, die by same"!
coolbert.
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