As UNION infantry advanced towards Chinese positions on the morning of 1st November 1870 an eerie silence greeted them. Although smoke rolled across the country no fire was received from the Chinese. As the Chinese entrenchments were reached UNION troops found nothing but total destruction. The Chinese trenches had been leveled and only dead Chinese soldiers were present. As UNION troops continued advancing through the Chinese defences a few wounded Chinese soldiers were found, wounded not only physically but also mentally deranged by the awful bombardment to which they had been subjected. The same reports came into UNION command from all fronts. Medical teams were ordered forward to assist the Chinese survivors as the advance continued. By mid afternoon it became clear that the Chinese army of over 300,000 had been destroyed. Harbin had been leveled, only piles of brick showings the fate of the town and its civilian and military inhabitants.
In the north UNION cavalry had taken up blocking positions astride the railway some 35 miles north of Harbin. Over the next few days they reported a steady flow of Chinese soldiers coming up from Harbin. All were shell shocked and incapable of fighting so were taken prisoner and escorted south for medical treatment. In total only 30,000 Chinese soldiers, mostly wounded, were taken prisoner by UNION forces south of Harbin. In the north, some 100,000 Chinese were taken prisoner and another 25,000 wounded soldiers were found in the devastated Chinese positions. In total some 155,000 Chinese were captured meaning the remaining 150,000 had been killed. The Chinese defeat was overwhelming. UNION Pioneers started the digging and filling of mass graves .
In Peking the government frantically sought information from their General to no avail. It was not until word reached them via France that the UNION was seeking agreement to repatriate Chinese prisoners that they realised the extent of their defeat. At the end of November arrangements were made for the return of the prisoners who were taken by wagon trains to the end of the railway line about 35 miles north of Harbin and loaded on Chinese trains under UNION cavalry supervision. On this occasion all wounded were repatriated. The war was clearly over.
As soon as the Chinese prisoners had been returned the UNION withdrawal commenced. In accordance with the original plan and with Harbin and the railway north for many miles already destroyed, UNION railway contractors now began the systematic dismantling of the Chinese railway as UNION troops retired south. UNION cavalry ranged far and wide carrying out a scorched earth campaign. Crops, buildings , trees and bridges were destroyed. The local peasant population were given provisions and sent north. The human suffering was great but UNION security took precedence. The long march out of China continued for months until the border was finally reached by the cavalry rearguards in March 1871. During the later stages of the withdrawal many displaced Chinese peasants followed the UNION troops as trekking north was just not practical. By the time the border was reached some 20,000 Chinese peasants were scattered along the border, their villages destroyed and crops burned.
Public opinion in the UNION demanded that something be done to help these refugees. After lengthy negotiations via France , during which time military rations were provided to the refugees, agreement was finally reached to repatriate them via France. This was effected by loading them on trains for the long journey to France.
The war against China had been won. The Chinese countryside from the border to Harbin 1000 miles away had been depopulated and devastated and the Chinese army destroyed. The UNION could look forward to a period of peace and prosperity. The Chinese could only look forward to revenge.
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