The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-08-26
The Story Of an officer Of the
United States Expedition.
A Roaring and Whirling River and a
Nation of Hard Fighters.
THE STORMING OF THE FORTS
BLESS YOU! 1T WAS A JOB.
A Land FOrcs Of Five Thousand Men Necessary
to Open the Way to the.
Corean Capital.

tVAtNh NupAs"'
The following letter, from one OF the Ofncers en-
gagged In the United States expedition TO the Corea
will be found very interesting, as presenting view
OF the exciting events In that distant land by an
active participant In the night with the Ooreans.
Our special correspondent has already given our
readers graphic account OF the expedition, but
TINS letter possesses and interesting details, be-
ing an insight into the fighting qualities Of the
Ooreans such as we nave not had before. Sailor
like, the writer plunges at once In medals res and
avoids all preparatory and unnecessary nourtshes:
UNITED STATES STEAMER u
Isle BOIsEH COrea, June 70, 1871.
from here uoats were sent out In every direction to
verify the French charts. while the Palos and four
TINS 9' nsn every Inn where
boats landed for angles ths peep people s, were
aSoaSn eSdeSy Vsy muca unds1 Of
their officials From our nrst snchorage-thiry
miles from herews sent letter TO the capS1 ny
age We found three minor officials waiting 70 see us
They came on bOard-an unheard-of tning before
iieDcs win Il JACK, ding then bellies with good
beet, pork and bread, and taking, when they leit
lot with them. The 0fcias came TO say that they
were sent in advance to announce the approach Of
shree higher officials who had been sent from the
came as friends and without any hostile Intentions
and, not moiestcd, we should modest no one but
We were Always We'll dIulcu, huus IL LIEU uPOuy
would undoubtedly fire back.
They were very much relieved al our assurance OF
Trouble Aiisr u stay Of about an hour they de-
parted. very much pleased with tnelr visit ., me
next day the three officials announced as on their
way came on board. Neither Mr.. Low nor the Ad
miral would them, because they Were not OF high
rank enough but they were turned over 70 Inc Sec
done said 10 them remains profound diplomatic
mystery. And no answer was vouchsa1ed 10 them
THE OBJECT OF OUR MISSION,
except that 1t was peaceful. Indeed, l am
reaS government is yet in ignorance Of the sim
pie object OF our mission here, except so far as
whoever comes here next VIII ind Jordan hard
road to travel; for We have taught them lesson
winch they VIII not be slow to profit BY and there
arc plenty foreigners out here ready and willing
and anxious to furnish these people with modern
The commission left ABOUT three p. NJ, entrusted
with letter 10 the government. ana at sunset had
ha S sGpa To-
h very oilicult OF navigation owing 10 the
and is vsry ssongy is 10 there
are many forts IN almost inaccessible positions and
containing thousands OF guns. You must remem-
OF foreigners, not desiring their presence in
their country, jealousy Gu InS the gates
ana always resisting by force any attempt to
approach them. they met US In friendly spirit;
We entered INTO friendly correspondence with
the result OF the vlsll Of the three oicals Without
notice We despatched party,
BRIsTLING WITH ARMS,
mp the water course leading.to their capital. This
was intended q menace TO show our ability to 60
TO tile capital II we were so disposed. do not CLAIM
started SAID, I'VE make no treaty with Corea.h In
an hour we heard brisk firing up the river. and In
men wounded and Que vessel LEAKING SO badly as TO
make 1t doubtful II We could save her without
ABOUT ten miles above the ship, where the river be.
comes very narrow and takes the shape OF horse.
% me rsr " sg anna snS
when the vessels had become unmanageable,
,. TT. THE cokEANs S OPENED UPON THEM
tours and hundreds of to four Founders Chinese
oreech leaders,. besides innumeraole match looks.
Our people instantly responded, but could NOT stop:
batteries at the mercy Of the tide In driving the
enemy from them. and anchored above. Here IL
was found that the Monocacy had
STRUCK ROCK,
cutting through her bottom as q knife would out
this paper, and was making water so fast that her
only safety was In keeping underway. After shell.
tarnsa ana cssnes out the second time the Batter
les that first fired, and then returned to the ships.
fort but owing 70 Its inaccessible position to
vessels during the spring tides, which were then
ATOMS until tho nesp tide, which ' would USit
also give the Coreans time TO explain their conduct
THIS they aid letter saving they we're sorry they
custom, and their officers had orders not to permit
strangers to approach the gates OF the kingdom;
shat We approached
o.,..,a .,so vt. A. SIa n, OWN ss,a RISK ,,
Why then, II you really meant peace, did you at
tempt to force your way INTO our countryS We
70 and VIII he prepared" A reply was sent to this
letter saying that the Admiral would wait few
ne would adopt such measures as ne deemed
necessary TO punish them for the insult to dag.
she Uoreans were not idle, for at certain stages of
che tide they could be seen as busy as beavers ct
They also commenced throwing up earthworks on
the hills In our immediate vicinity, and even far
low tide when the aats are uncovered MANI Of tSs
people would come down 70 Dig CLAIMS. At such
nm sn our es o az with them
10 DO great dread Of their officials. On the 10th
the Pal0s, having returned from Chefoo,
THE EXPEDITION STARTED
Its composition was the MOnocacy with two OF
our nne-incn guns in addition to her own battery,
leading to shell out the small forts below tho large
one, the Palos towing twenty three boats, con-
tanning the landing party, Of about nve
msnder Blake commanded the expedIiion, ana Com
mander Kimberly the land forces 1t was the
intention 70 land about hall mile or so below the
large fort and nsnk the position which was sup
posed TO be unprotected IN the rear, Chinese
the river Tank below were prepared for resistance.
and It was deemed too dangerous TO tow the
crowded boats past them; 80 Is was determined to
honocacy sheled out the lowest one, and the land
ing commenced; but ,,
A mud nat extended quarter OF mile from the
eolio ground. In this mud the men sank to their
hips losing boots and In instances the legs Of
trousers pulled or by the tenacty OF the mud.
1he artillery sank out OF sight, ana was only saved
after ncredDldabor OF the whole force, hauling IL
bodily through. Fortunately there was no resist
ance to the landing and our forces walked into the
ewO 1rst forts and took possession.
There was other fort between them and the
nain object the expedition but as this had stone
wal, and looked strong IL was deemed unadvtsa
Bile TO move upon It In the exhausted condition o
me iorces so they 9ncamped between the two cap
Srcd ones and under cover or the two vessels, one
OF which, however, tire Palos. was
HIGH AND pBY ON THE ROCKS,
wnicn we're through her bottom IN two places.
Al SIX the next morning, after night without
neep, Wing 10 hostile movements OF the Coreans,
me troops started, the marines IN mont skirmlshinG,
Mnicn tnev continued right up to the walls OF the
ssone Tort ana rushedn, the few Coreans not driven
0ut Oy the Monocacy rushing out from the other
1oe; IN TINS fort, az also In the two captured the
SsJ TU,ore, were found few thirty twos and twen-