The short-lived "Republic of Taiwan" At that time, the combined forces of Taiwan citizens and soldiers plus the garrison originally sent over from the mainland totaled about 50,000 men, mainly concentrated in the north. This hastily assembled force was only able to withstand attacks by the well-trained and well-equipped regular Japanese forces for about a week. The army collapsed, and Tang fled to the mainland.
當時台灣本身的民軍和大陸招募來的兵勇約有五萬人左右，主力部署在台灣的北部，這支匆匆組成的台灣防衛軍，那堪訓練有素、武器精良的日本正規軍的攻擊，只抵擋了一個星期左右，就潰不成軍，唐景崧也逃回大陸去了。