Connecticut western news., 1871-09-01
The COrean War.

us details of the second battle with the Coreans. The Admiral had determined to await instructions from the United States Government before "vindicating | the honor of the American flag" by the Coreans for their attack made on the 1st of June. But his plans were afterward changed, and he has had another severe engagement After the action of June l, Admiral Rodgers and Minister Lowe hoped the Corean Gov ernment would send an apology for their wanton and unprovoked attack on the surveying party. For this reason the fleet remained inactive for ten days, but the Coreans showing no signs that they intended to apologize, it was determined to send an expedition up the river lead-e ing to the capital to avenge the insult to the American flag. AS the passage of this river is very dangerous, it was thought best that party should land on the peninsula, below the forts, under the fire of the Monocacy and Palos, and attack the Coreans in the rear, thus hem ming them in, and making prisoners of them all. The weather on the morning of the 10th of June was favorable, and at about 10 o'clock the expedition start
  los, and four steam launches, under the land force from the Colorado, Alaska, Commander A. l.. Kimberly. In addi- tion to her customary armament, the Monocacy carried two 9-inch guns, to increase her efficiency.
 The whole force, officers and men, con- sisted of: Land force, GA men, with about 16 pieces of artillery and force afoat, 3O1 men total, 945 men.
 The place where the troops landed was anything but favorable. A mud-fat, half mile wide, and two miles long, lay between the boats and theshore, and through this the men had to wade, although the mud and water was waist deep i; several of the guns stuck in the mud for some time. But the men went bravely through, all being anxious to vindicate the honor of their flag. As soon as the forces were or. shore | the ships began to shell some of the first batteries, while the troops (the land 1 force) advanced, headed by detach
 ment of men in skirmishing order. The Coreans did not wait to receive our men, but left their Notifications and retired, firing only now and then stray shot, so that this first line of breastworks fell in to the hands of the Americans without any struggle. In building the fortifca- tions considerable skill had been display ed, but the Coreans had no men to use them efficiently. The main body of the force then encamped for the night near the fort in barley field and not far dis tant from village, which was soon ran sacked for provisions. Abundance of rice was found, but scarcely any poultry or pigs were to be seen, the>very thing most looked for.
 The outworks being in the possession of the Americans, there remained only the citadel itself to be taken: This was a formidable place, on lofty hill, deco rated with many flags, and among them was large yellow one in the center, showing this to be the position of the Commander-in-C Chief. <
 It was hard labor to drag the guns over hill and dale, but the pioneers proved themselves up to their work, so that all obstacles were removed without much difficulty The fotilla, in the meantime, moved up toward the citadel, and the Monocacy, having taken up 8 position within two hundred yards of it, began to open fire, dropping her mis- siles among the enemy in fine style. But she had not alone to contend with the citadel, as the battery on the opposite shore, on the mainland, also opened fire
 The gunners, however, soon set down in earnest to their work, and after an hours severe shelling both places were silenced, the ship having received no injury from the fire of the enemy. A signal then went from shore to cease firing, and the land force advanced to storm the place. Having arrived at the foot of the hill the storming party stop ped moment to breathe, after which they made bold rush for the fortifca- tions above them A hail of bullets and other missiles greeted the storming party, but nothing could stop them, With the greatest pluck and courage they advanced until the desired object was gained Lieut.. Mckee was the first to enter, followed by some of his men, but no sooner had he got over the wall than he was struck by a ball and pierced by spear, which killed him,
 In a few minutes the place was cleared . and the enemy routed The interior o the citadel was in frightful condition Numerous dead and mutilated bodies lay in and around the fortifcation, 24( being counted in small space. This 4 was, however, not the whole loss, fol hundreds ran into the water and were drowned, among whom was the Com mander-in- Chief, who, when in the water cut his throat. The second in command was among the wounded prisoners. I appears they vera placed by the Corea1 Government, either to conquer or die hence the desperate resistancethey mann tained there. Beside the brave Lieut. Mckee, the Americans had two more killed and six wounded, which, consider ing the murderous fire they had to pas
 through, is very light loss. It was tn,
 bad aim which made the fire so ineffec tive. The Coreans, like the Chinese are poor marksmen The fort was de . moGshed like the others l; all the gun were disabled and thrown into the river
 the stores were burnt, and magazine
 blown up. In all, the Americans de stroyed five forts and the citadel, wit
 481 guns. -.- .s i} The Persian Famine-The Pestilence a
 s-.--..-+.- Work. 5s-. A special despatch to the New Tor :. HerdId, confirms previous reports of tn terrible ravages of famine and pest , lence in Persia. The Persian govern g ment has clearly an interest in under 8 rating the consequences of the famine : since they have been undoubtedly tn ) result of its own oppressive maladmin r istration. In Ispahan, city variousl 7 estimated at from two to five hundre 9 thousand people, there have been 27, ) GOO deaths, and the mortality has nc s yet diminished. The terrible record is l however, eclipsed by the accounts fro1 !, the provinces where the famine first as f stunned alarming proportions. In Ms e zanderan a very much larger percentag # l. 4o1-