The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-07-20

The following is special account of the Co.
rean fight, received by the steamship America
at Shanghai, having been brought thither by
the Palos, which left the Corea on June to
get stores and bring up some eight-inch guns
from the Ashuelot. The first arrived at Je-
rome Gulf May 2Oth: and reported ten: days
surveying the channels between the various
islands, finally coming to anchor at point
designated in the French charts as the Isle OF
Boisee. For three days surveying party was
away, and during that time met some natives,
who sent of communication asking where
we were from, and hoping we were well.
VISIT OF coREANs TO THE COLORADO.
On Monday of this week, a number of Cor
cans of the third and fifth rank came aboard
the Colorado, where they were received oy
Governor Lows interpreters. They, were
shown about the Colorado and distinctly told
| that we meant to send surveying party up
| the river, that our mission was peacetul, ana
| that we should not attack nor molest them IN
any way unless they first assaulted us. Ihey
expressed themselves non-commlttal, ana
were glad to know our mission was peaceful,
and, as believe, were satisned.
ADVANCE OF THE SURVEYING PARTY.
On Thursday morning, the Monocacy and
Palos, with four steam launches, two from the
|. Colorado and the others from the Alaska and
Benlcia, LETT about half-past 10 O'clock A. n. to
90 up and pass kanghoa, an island at the
mouth of the river Saee, and survey. The
party from the Monocacy, under Captain NC
Crea. numbered ITO, and that from the Palos,
under Commander Rockwell, so. The launch
es were manned by eleven men each:
Captain Hsmer G. Blake was on the talos.
fIo UQ Gnwlp
private secretary to Minister Low. On the
Palos, Messrs. R. J. McCaslin and Edward b.
Julesburg. Paymaster Spaulding, of the Pa
los, was with Lieutenant Totten, ana captain
Boswell and Mr.. Slossen, of the Colorado, Win
Lieutenant Mead. The boat parties were
armed with cutlasses, pistols and Remington
rifles. The Benicia launch carried twenty
four.pounder in the bow; the others were pro-
vided with twelve-ponnders, and good sup
ply of shell, canister and schrapnel. Awaiting
themselves of the flood tide, the Launches
went ahead, abreast, up the River hanghoa,
sounding as they proceeded, the Paios ana
Monocacy following at convenient distance.
time, prosecuted their work regularly on the
river, which is here quite mile IN width.
wARLIKE APPARITIoNs.
;,The day was bright and beautiful, and al
went well until they approached the narrow
portion of the river, about ten miles from the
Colorado. Here great turnout OF white coal
ed Coreans was noticed on bluff on the lett
bank, with flags flying, and presenting quite
martial array. A nearer view lnolcateo tneir
costume of the country, which ts white coat,
not unlike the present European evercoat,
white paiamOs, tied at the ankle, with white
socks and light summer shoes, such as are
worn by the Chinese. There were two red
stone forts visible, one on each bank, armed
with upwards Of si1ty.nine lS.pounders, and
guarding the narrow passage or oena o. the he
smaller OF the two, and was not noticed at all
during the engagement, except oy shell or
two sent to find II anybody was stirring there
in; but the main fort, built upon bank rising
nearly one hundred feet from the waters
edge, was evidently the standpoint OF the Co-
reans, and from which they expected to intim-
idate:or drive way in dismay the foreigners.
The launches kept steadily at their business
without needing the spectacle presented on
the bank. The Benicia launch meanwhile
SsGpsa P sssrn SFRf %e2 1 hsg party
came opposite the tort sne Was~nearly TWO
miles of. -,
STRENGTH oP THE coREANs.
Mr.. Cowle took good observation of the
Coreans, ind counted more than thirty-six
runs In position. Besides, there were seen
Countless numbers of jingalls carried by Two
men each. These last, with the hammered
men, helped: to swell the array which formed
upon the side and top OF the bill behind tue
stone wall. o.ar
- THE ACTION.
The turning point of the river was now
reached, and when at distance OF $50 yards
from the shore stream OF fire was poured
from the large fort, followed In few mo-
ments by discharge OF guns from the fort on
the right bank. The launches at once turned
their bows on the main fort and their guns
quickly replied, while the Palos ana Monoca.
cy, coming up on five knot breeze, ratified
away over the heads Of the fotilla with their
elght.inch rifed guns.
Lieutenant Commander Rockwell, with the
Palos, made splendid practice with the bow
gums, while Captain McCrea, who followed on
the Monocacy, gave 10 the enemy the fuli
benefit OF his broadside battery at close quar-
ters, 80 close that the vessel grazed some hid
deA rocks, which formed a rect above the
bend of the river. Notwithstanding this acci-
dent, which displaced an iron plate and caused
q leak, the Monocacy kept up o steady and
well.drecLed fire until the forts were silenc-
ed. Duripg the action there was little or no
breeze, aud the thick smoke from the shore
and river almost hid the combatants. At
intervals, however, there was was noticed IL red ID
clouds as the shells burst in the works, and In
ten minutes from The commencement of the
firing the COreans we're driven back heiter-
skelter over the hills.
THE ADMIRAL's ORDERS.
A6mira, Rodgers had said to the surveying
party, ''Do not fire unit you are fred upon,
but If you are fired upon, don't be the first to
stop firing" There were no orders given to
lani, so that after Captain Blake had satisfied
himself all to the discontinue Of the enemy,
the gunbuats and launches were ordered to
move around the bend and anchor short d6-
tance above the scene of action.
CASUALTIES.
The only casualties were on the Alassa's
launch. sailor was in the act Of pointing
the howilzer, when ball struck him on the
side of the head and shoulders-another had
two fingers cut of by the Tecoil of a gun. It
seems strange that, with the hot close firing
on The part Of the Coreans that such small
damage should result. but it is believed that
this fortunate issue for the boats Is owing TO
the larger guns on the fort being elevated too
much. The gunboats and launches were all
more or less struck by balls, and many narrow
escapes took place, but fortunately none were
badly hit.