Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-08-24
Further Particulars of the COrean
Battle.

| Ihe following details of the Corean
battle are furnished by an eyewitness of
the engagement:
The Asiatic Fleet, under the command
of Admiral John Rogers has had another
tussle with the Corean forts. the result
being decided victory for the Ameri.
can forces. The details of the affair are
very interesting. The Corean govern.
ment having failed to apologize for the
wanton and murderous attack on the
United States surveying party, on the 1st
of June, the Admiral found it necessary
to plan an expedition and vindicate the
honor of the American flag. According ly
an order was issued for the following
ships and men to hold themselves in
readiness: The M0n0cacy, Pdlos, and four
steam launches, as also landing party
consisting of GA officers and men, under
the command of COMMANDER L. A Kim
berly, the whole under the chief COM
mand of Commander Blake.
In all GA men and officers, land forces.
and 30l men afoat, making total of GAG
officers and men. On the morning of the
10th of June, after food had been cooked
and canteens filled, the expedition left
the anchorage. All of the land forces
were in light marching order, each man
having been served with one hundred
rounds of ammunition. This little party
moved up the river, preceded by the
steam launches, who took sonndings,
After having shelled and demolished two
forts on their way, situated on small
lslets near the shore, they arrived at the
place of operations about pm. The
ships now began to shell No. Fort, on
kanghoa Island, now called Marine Re.
doubt, while the land forces cast off from
the Pa10S in boats, to effect landing,
covered by the fire of the fotilla. They
found it very difficult to draw their ar
tillery through the mud fiat, before reach
ing the shore the mud being waist-deep
but American energy at last overcame all
obstacles, and the little force arrived
safely on dry ground. Having arrived
in position, the force at one deployed,
and preceded by skirmishers, advanced
on Fort No. l, or Marine Redeubt. This
having been effectually shelled by the
M0n0cdcy, the enemy left it without a
struggle, only now and then firing a stray
shot while retreating.
While one party of the land force was
engaged in demolishing the fort and des-
troying the guns, the other portion ad-
vaneed toward Fort No. 3, leaving Fort
No. 2 on their right, which was being
shelled by the fotilla, and soon silenced,
its garrison beating q retreat. The party
of the land forces which had pushed for
ward in advance, soon arrived near a
cemetery. on a wooded knoll, from where
they could see Fort No. 3, (since called
Fort Monocacy,) as also in the distance
| the citadel over which waved the yellow
flag of the Corean Commander-in-Ch Chief
The country around was very beautiful
in aspect, there being several fine hills,
surrounded by extensive rice and barley
fields. The M0H0cdcy had, during this
time, steamed up to Fort No. 3, and be-
gan to greet the enemy with some Ameri-
can shells, when the Pal0s got fast on a
rock. She was only got off with much
difficulty on the next day, leaving hole
Ia her bottom which made her leak seri-
ously The fort responded briskly to the
fire of the M0n0cacy, doing, however,
no other damage than cutting some of
her standing rigging. Night having
come on now, both flotilla and the land
forces ceased active operations for the
night, holding, however, everything in
readiness to prevent a surprise.
The next morning the M0nOcdcy took
up position within five hundred yards
OF Fort No. 3, and renewed the attack,
giving it to the Coreans in fine style
This, together with the advance of the
land force in the rear, made the Coreans
beat hasty retreat, and so this strong
hold was taken possession of without the
shedding of blood on the American side |
Now came the real struggle for the citi-
del, which bad fred on the surveying |
party on the LIST of June. A party re-
manned behind as rear guard, and to de-
mo}iah the fort, the remainder advancing |
rapidly on the next stronghold. It was
hard labor to drag the guns over hill and !
dale, but the pioneers proved themselves
up TO their work 80 that all obstacles
were removed without much difficulty
The h0tilla, III the meantime, moved up
owtrd the citadel, and the M0n0cdcY
having taken up a position within two
hundred yards OF il, began to open fire,
dropping her mis~ils among the enemy in
fine style. But she had not alone to con-
tend with the citadel, as the battery on
the opposite shore, on the mainland, also
opened fire. The Runners, however, soon
set down in earnest to their work, and
after IN hours severe shelling both pla-
oes were silenced, the ship having re-
oeiv5d DO injury from the fire of the ene-
my. A signal then went up from shore
to cease firing, and the land force ad-
Vanced to storm the place.
Having arrived at the foot of the hill 3
he storming party stopped moment to !
breathe, after which they made bold !
ush for the Notifications above them. A ,
~ y,FI ,,1I i - ! |
he storming party, but nothing could /
top them. With the greatest pluck and q
courage they advanced until the desired +
Inject was gained. Lieut.. Mckee was +
he first to enter, followed by some of his .
men, but no sooner had he got over the
vail than lie was struck by ball and
,ierced by a spear, which killed him.
In a few minutes the place was cleared
nd the enemy routed. The interior of a
be citadel was in friQhtful condition. l
Numerous dead and mutilated bodies Law t.
nd around the fertilization, 243 being I
ountCd in s. small space. This wae, how
yer, not the whole loss, for hundreds ran
lto the water and were drowned, among
'hom was the Commander in Chief. who,
hen in the water, cut his throat. The tt
scoud in command was among the p
'ounded prisoners. Itappears they were cl
laced there by the CoreQn Government
Their to conquer or die, hence the desper-
-e resistance they maintained there. !.
Beside the brave Lieut.. Mckee, the
mericaus had two more killed and six
ounded, which, considering the murder re
IL fire they had to pass through, is tn
.ry light loss. 1t was the bad aim oil
bich made the fire 50 ineffective. The az
Dreams, like the Chinese, are poor marks dc
en-. The fort was demolished like the GU
hers; all the guns were disabled and U
rown into the river, the stores were ne
lrnt and magazines blown up. In all or
C Americans destroyed i've forts and lei
e citadel, with 4S1 guns. On
Looking at the whole affair. all de. IL
rye great praise for their conduct. The or
icers showed themselves skilful and ca!
cir men obeyed orders, and were brave
d worthy of the name of Americans no
mmander Blake having informed the ilo
I - hx1