The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-08-25
THE SECOND FIGHT AT COREA.
Interesting Details Of the Attack q

morning OF June lUth an e4pedltlon
started from the fleet 1t consisted OF
about 900 men, Of which about 700,
including los marines, were to operate
on land, 400 from the Colorado, and l25
each from the Alaska and Benicia, all
the crews of the Monocacy and Palos
being required to work the guns on
board. The Monocacy took the lead,
followed by the Palos, with all the
smaller boats in tow, except the steam
launches.
The main object of attack is built on
the top Of small conical hill, on a
tongue Of land that projects from the
right and west bank of the river, and
extending out into the water about hall
a mile. Its average width from the
north to the south is about 400 yards.
The river makes sharp bend around
the point OF this little peninsula, and
during the rise and fall of the tide the
water rushes past it with fearful rapid,
ity. About 800 yards from the extreme
eastern point OF this a small conical
hill arises, about 800 feet high. The
Coreans have fortified this in such q
manner, that, looking from the water
the walls of the fort appear but con,
tinuation Of the extension upward OF the
steep sides of the hill, only approaching
more nearly to the perpendicular, the
sides of the hill forming an angle OF
about 45 or so degrees with the horizon,
and the fort being so built on the top as
to occupy the whole level space, about
50 feet in diameter, leaving no level
ground outside the parapet wall. The
ground between this and the water s
edge is very rough, steep and rocky
and difficult for military operations.
The Coreans had a water battery Of "A
and 80 Founders and small old brass
pieces, commanding the channel past
this point and protecting the APP
proaches to the fort from the water. AS
this was the grand object Of attack, il
was determined to land several miles
below and take 1t in the rear
Accordingly, when the boats reached
the first fort, about two miles below the
point aforementioned, the Monocacy
and Palos opened fire on it with vigor
but the Palos, unfortunately running
upon rock, was held fast there, and
her effectiveness impaired for awhile
The Monocacy's fire continued, silenc
ing the fort and driving in its defenders
and under cover of this fire the smaller
boats, which had been towed up by the
Palos, cast off, rowed rapidly to the
beach, and landed portion Of the force
designated to operate by land. The
landing was effected in good order and
without difficulty, but the men hat
then to toll through some two hundred
yards of mud, from one to two fee
deep, and over sluices in some parts
much deeper, before reaching good
firm, dry land.
This done, the first fort was easily
occupied, its defenders having been 81
fenced by the fire from the Monocacy
and Polas, and retreated on the ap
proach of the skirmish line of the ma
rines, thrown out in advance Of the at
lacking party, firing a few harmless:
shots as they fled. Night now coming
on, the whole land force bivouacked till
the next morning, posting strong guards
in advance.
On Sunday, the llth, the whole ex
petition moved forward on the next fort
and took it without resistance. They
then extended their line across the
peninsula, and advanced on the main
fort, called by the French Fort de Con
deaf, (Fort of the Elbow from its
being located in the bend or elbow Of
the river. This being place Of great
strength, and the way Of approach be-
ing extremely rough and difficult, some
time was necessary to get the whole
force up into position. When the order
was given to charge, about half past
ten, our whole line went with rush
and yell, responded to by the death.wail
or war-whoop of the Coreans in the
fort. The Coreans here made firm
stand and desperate resistance, firing
their clumsy gingals with great cool
ness and deliberation at our men as they
charged up the hill, and then fighting
hand-to-hand with long spears and
swords when the fort had been stormed
and our men were inside the ramparts
Lieutenant Mckee, Of Kentucky, who
led the charge into the fort, was the
first to enter, and fell fighting bravely
being overwhelmed and borne down by
superior numbers.
Two hundred and Iorty-three dead
Coreans were found in the fort, and
several prisoners were taken, among
whom was a deputy commandment
chief who was wounded.
Our own loss was Lieutenant Hugh
w. Mckee, Seth Aiken, ordinary sea
man of the Colorado, and private Hour
ahad, of the marine corps, killed. Sew
eral were wounded, including Passed
Assistant Surgeon C. j. S. Wells, OF the
Colorado. After capture the destruc
ton of the forts was Immediately begun
The houses were fired, the works and
guns destroyed and the magazines ex
ploded. All the wounded Coreans were
taken to Monocacy. The land force en-
camped in the neighborhood of the fort
on the night of the 18th, and early next
morning took up line Of march to the
fleet, the object Of the expedition having
been fulfilled, viz: "Avenging the insult
offered the American flag on the lst o.
June"
HAWTHORNE and his wife were 6oth
over thirty years old when married
| Sha was q sister Of Miss Elizabeth Pea