The New York herald., 1871-09-06
THE COREAN EXPEDITION.
70 THE EDITOR OF THE HERALp:-

To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
Although late news has been received from Corea
trust the few facts mention about the first move.
ments Of our eet may not be entirely destitute Of
interest to your readers The information comes
direct by letter from an eye witness high In COM
mand in the expedition. The expedition was not
conceived nor has been carried out in an aggres
sive spirit 1t was intended by our government to
open friendly intercourse and trade with that de-
pendency OF China. know that the expedition has
been unfav0rably criticised, but is be wondered
at that similar steps have not been taken by our
government at an earlier period. glance at the
map will show what prominent and at the same
time dangerous part of the Chinese coast is form
by the large peninsula OF COrea. 1t Is certainly I'M
portant that an endeavor should be made by our
government to secure proper recognition at the
hands OF the Coreans. 1t was with this idea that
the President sent his letter WITH the expedition
expressing his feelings OF amity and his hope that
friendly intercourse would arise between the two
countries. Tne fleet, states my informant had the
greatest difficulty In approaching the Corean coast
dense and impenerabe Iogs enveloped 1t most
OF the tme only lifting for short period, at inter-
vas OF days, sufficiently Tor the fleet 10 seze the OPP
portunlty to feel It's way along. The different ves
sels comprising the fleet were tnus iOr most or the
time unable either to see or signal each other and
1t was most fortunate that none were lost upon the
almost Unknown coast On reaching the mouth OF
Salt River, leading TO the capital OF The country,
merous 1unk-lke boats, filed with natives, dressed
somewhat like the Chinese, were seen who appa-
renUIy troubled themselves very little in observing
the movements OF our vessels, but busled themselves
in fishing and IN the gathering OF smell fish. The
"cnaps" upon the shores Of the river also
seemingly took but little notice OF the
nal fires were lit upon the hull tops to notify
the country back OF the presence OF our feet. Sur
veys and sOundlngs We're made Tor some distance
up the river, under the supervision Of Captain I'll. U.
Blake, from which charts were made for present
ana future use. Upon the return OF the surveying
party the feet moved slowly up the river. Admiral
Rogers nagship ancnored about twenty miles up
l,uoa I,ausni, st1aIlIIng miles further
up. The PalOs and four steam launches under
Captain Blake proceeded ten miles further up the
three 1Orts spoken o III the first official despatch
and which were situated on rising ground COM
manding the RIVER, an exceedingly fierce fire was
p0u ed upon our boats Tor about i've minutes. The
Coreans upon the adjoining hlilt0ps also opened
upon our men miscellaneous fire. Only one or
the forts could be raked as our vessels steamed
past, but from 1t 1.-THE chaps were sent flying from
IN ,r guns the hill" On returning after attend
Ing 10 our wounded, all three forts were well raked,
but 1t elected no response 1.-The chaps'' evidently
being satisfied with the prime quality of the gun
powder that had Already been administered. 1t Is
estimated by my informant that ten small steamers
and 5000 men would be required II we desire
through force TO accomplish any thing OF perma-
ment character ami 1t was the intention after the
our government before passing up the river. What
IS to pe accomplished by the expedition must be
done within the next month, as the dense fogs and
the inclement weather Will then prevent further
operations. My Informant states tnat the Coreans
are extremely fine looking men and are or CON-
manding ply steal proportions. They are made of
different stuff from the Chinese. My informant
states that In the second fight they fought with ex-
great loss but the naccuracy OF the range Of their
guns. Il, A, Ii,