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Newly-announced historical documents from a French source of archives said that Mai Xuan Thuong, leader of Can Vuong insurgent movement against the French colonialists in Binh Dinh Province, was arrested when he was on the way to Phu Yen neighbour province and was beheaded on 7th June 1887.
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Relic of Mai Xuan Thuong’s tomb at Binh Tuong Commune, Tay Son District, Binh Dinh Province. Photo: Đ.B.H
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Many researches on Vietnamese contemporary history have so far stated that Mai Xuan Thuong surrendered to avoid a massacre by the French colonialists at two villages of Phu Phong and Phu Lac after he had heard about his captive mother. However, the newly-announced historical documents about the resistance war against the French colonialists by local people of Binh Dinh and Phu Yen rectify that Mai Xuan Thuong was arrested rather than surrendered himself to the enemy. Some of the newly-announced documents originate from the French source of archives. Among them, documents from archives of Indochina Governor-general palace and archived files of General Permanent Representatives in North and Centre Vietnam are the most notable.
A report dated 10th May 1887 by Tirant to Governor of South Vietnam was made to public by Prof. Charles Founiau with his article “The Resistance against the French colonialism in two provinces of Binh Dinh and Phu Yen (1885-1887)” in Journal of Historical Research. It provides us many clear details about the arrest and detention of Mai Xuong Thuong. “At that time, Mai Xuan Thuong was accompanied by 50 people including his family (his mother,his wife, his brothers) and his assistants. All of them were beset at a mountainous Cham village (probably in Van Canh) on 4th April 1887 but they successfully escaped. On 21st April, his family was arrested but he rescued them out. However, in late 31st April night to early 1st May, one of his follower who was captured on 21st April and was released at the night later surrendered and informed the French troops about secret shelter of the captives in the mountainous Cham village which was 3 days away from Phu Phong, birthplace of Mai Xuan Thuong. Loc and Giang caught Mai Xuan Thuong on 4th May while he was hiding in Hon Nhen cave at Thang Ot village next to Phu Yen Province’s border, at upstream of Con River. One day later, his family was arrested, too. His commanders were all arrested. Nguyen Ngoc Laong was arrested on 14th May, Lê Khanh was captured on 20th May”.
Mai Xuan Thuong (1860-1887) was born at Phu Lac Hamlet, Binh Thanh Commune, Tuy Vien District (Tay Son District now), Binh Dinh Province. He first joined Can Vuong insurgent movement against the French colonialism led by Dao Doan Dich as a commander. He then became leader of the movement and was beheaded at Cham Mound in 1887. He was buried at his homeland and then reintered at a high hill at Hoa Son Hamlet, Binh Tuong Commune in 1962. |
In his PhD in history, Phan Van Canh also argued that Tran Ba Loc besieged 2 bases of Ham Ho and Linh Dong on 21st April 1887 and then seized the 2 bases. Loc arrested some people including Ms. Hoang Thi Nguyet, mother of Mai Xuan Thuong. In the evening of 30th April, Mai Xuan Thuong led a suicide squad to break into barracks of Tran Ba Loc, recueing the confined captives. After the succesful rescue, Mai Xuan Thuong and his 50-member troop went over mountains to Phu Yen for continuance of the Resistance. Yet, they were ambushed at Phu Quy Pass between Binh Dinh and Phu Yen.
Loc escorted Mai Xuan Thuong, his family and his followers to Phu Phong. He celebrated the victory and spead a false rumour about Thuong surrender surrendered to smear his reputation. “How can an anti-French fighter like me surrender the French? Righteous men prefer dieing bravely kneeling down to the enemy” bravely shouted Thuong at the enemy. Unable to oppress Thuong, Loc beheaded Thuong and his loyal followers at Cham Mound at the east of Binh Dinh old Citadel. Thuong’s corpse was buried at his homeland of Cay Muong, Phu Lac Hamlet, Binh Thanh Commune, Tay Son District, Binh Dinh Province. In 1961, it was disintered for reburial at Hoa Son Commune, Binh Thuong District, Binh Dinh Province.
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