Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1871-08-03
Admiral Rogers Report of the
Fight with the Coreans.
SAN Francisco, July Is.

| SAN FRANCISCO, July l6.
The special report of Admiral Rogers
fight with the Coreans is received by the
America, from Shanghai, having been
brought there by the Palos, of the Ad-
miral's fleet, which left Cuba, June 3rd,
to get stores and bring up some light
inch guns from the Aspuleot fleet. Af-
ter the fleet, which was engaged in sur
yeying the coast channels, &C., arrived
off Corea, they were visited by some ma
tives of the third and fifth rank, who
were properly received and informed
that the fleet was on n surveying eXpe-
dition, and assured them that its mission
was entirely peaceable, and that the
Coreans would not be molested in any
way unless they first assaulted the
Americans. They expressed satisfac-
tion at hearing this, and the commander,
believing them satisfied, started the
NTonaccay and Palas, with four steam
launches, to go up to Port Kanghas, an
island at the mouth of the river Sales,
and survey. The boats proceeded up
the river some distance unmolested un-
til they approached narrow portion of
the river, about ten miles from where
they left the Colorado. Here they came
in sight of about two thousand Corean
soldiers marching along the bluffs
There were two red stone forts visible
on each bank apparently armed with
upward of siXty-nine eighteen-poun-
ders and guarding the narrow passage
or bend in the river. The one on the
right bank was the smaller of the two,
and was not noticed at all during the
engagement, except by shot or two to
find if anybody was stirring therein
but the main fort, built upon the bank
and rising nearly one hundred feet from
the waters edge, was evidently the stand
point of the Coreans, and from which
they expected to intimidate or drive
away in dismay all foreigners. The
boasts Kept steadily along, and paid no
attention to the spectacle ashore, where
the number of Coreans was constantly
increasing. Finally, when the turning
point in the river was almost reached,
and when at distance of about one
hundred and fifty yards from shore,
stream of fire poured from the larger |
fort, which was followed in few mo-
ments by the discharge of guns from the
forts on the right bank. Launches were
at once turned on the main fort and
three guns quickly replied, while the
Palas and Monaccay, coming up on n |
fine knot tide, ratified away over the
heads of the flotilla with their eight
inch rifled guns. Lieut.. Com. Rockwell
with the Palas, made splendid prac-
tice with her bow guns, while Captain
McCrea, who followed in the Monaccay, |
gave the enemy the full ben
eft of his broadside battery at close
quarters; so close, indeed, that the ves-
sci grazed some hidden rocks which
formed a reef just above the bend of the
river. Notwithstanding this accident,
which moved an iron plate, causing a
leak, the MOnaccay kept up a steady
and well directed fire until the fort was
silenced. During the action there was
little or no breeze, and the thick smoke
from the shore and river almost hid the
At intervals, however, it
cas- noticed that red sand, with the NOR
tar from the walls, was flying off in
clouds as the shells burst in the works.
and in ten minutes from the commence