The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1871-07-20
The Corean War.

Our people are SO much occupied
with home concerns as scarcely to be
aware that the United States is at war with
a foreign power, waged by means of
naval expedition under command of
Admiral Rodgers, against Corea. The
cause of hostilitics is thus stated
Five years ago the American Ship
General Sherman, went ashore on the
Corean Coast. The crew were captured
and horribly treated aud tortured, some
being put 10 cages aud carried around
and exhibited to the natives. One of
the men escaped, aud reaching an
American man,of war, detailed these
atrocities Admiral Bell, then in com-
mand of the Asiatic squadron, sent the
United States steamer, Shenandoah to
the Corean Coast to inquire into the
matter, and demand redress On ap
preaching the Corean Coast, the Shen.
andoah was fred on by shore batteries,
manned by large number Of Coreans,
but, us her commander had no orders to
return the fire, he left and reported the
matter to Admiral Bell. Here the mat.
ter ended until Admiral Rowan, in the
Delaware, took command. lie left this
country with orders to settle up both
the Formosa and Corcan difficulties.
When he got on the station, he found
that the Formosa matter had been set.
tied, and before proceeding against the
Coreans, the Department sent word for
him to await further orders. No fur.
Their orders were given him, and when
Admiral john Rodgers sailedin the Col
orado, it was understood, he had full
authority to demand redress from the
Corean Government, and if it was re.
fused to 80 for them to the extent of
his ability. With this in view, he carried
in the hold Of the Colorado battery Of
field pieces, battery of Calling guns
and other means OF carrying the war
into Africa, having full powers in the
matter.
AS the initial step taken by Admiral
Rodgers has excited considerable inter
est throughout the country, and us there
will probably be other and greater diff
culties encountered before the question
is finally settled, it may not be amiss to
state something about the country which
our navy has undertaken to chastisc.
Corea is u kingdom on the eastern
coast of Asia, northeast Of China, com.
prising an area Of about 10000 square
miles, and II population numbering from
100000 to 100000. 1t is pea.
insula, 400 miles long aud $50 miles
broad, tho adjacent islands and part of
the neighboring continent. The total
length Of the country from north to
south is somewhat less than COO miles,
between latitude 80 deg, 20 min, aud
43 deg. north The coast is rugged
and barren, and the northern portion
cold aud mountainous but in the ives.
tern part the climate is mere genial
and tie soil is more fertile.
The Government is despotic, and,
though tributary to China aud Japan,
the freedom Of its action is Uncontrolled.
The army of Corea is estimated nj (;40.
aoN VI =. % % e'.iu'. neu ~ ofv'
Voo men, anu the navy Is ooo vessels
twar'Junks) carrying from ten to twenty
guns each, old twenty and thirty pound.
crs. The political organization is SINH.
lar 10 that of China
IT., aroh;,aJs"e o.:
lhe arcnipelago OF Corea Is group
OF srali Islands IN the Yellow Sea, on
the west coast Of the peninsula Of
Corea. The islands arc chiefly rrapite
ana come ~ - - 80 ."'oA Sau'oi
. noo coo, .ho,a H.. M "s"s "
ton in Corean waters is both difficult
aud dangerous, and comparatively little
is known of the channels
Tbe Coroons wero a,,,olo1 =, ,,o
,o!, "e Ioreans were attacked on the