Liu crossed into China with some of his most loyal followers, but the bulk of the Black Flag Army was disbanded on Tonkinese soil in the summer of 1885.
It was through a want of precaution against the skill aud courage of the Black Flags that Garnier lost his life in 1873, and through a repetition of the same blunder Riviera sufiered defeat and death in 1883.
Les Français au Tonkin, 1787-1883.
The Anamese troops were sent against them several times, but were invariably defeated.
The Black Flag Army is named from the colour of Liu's command flags.
It was a swift and striking victory for the Black Flag Army.