Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-08-22
The Fight in GOrca.


South of Prussia is still free from the disease.
The Fight in COrea.
New YonK, Aug. 22-The mails bring de-
tails Of the second fight in Corea 1t appears
that on the morning Of June 10, an expedition
started from the fleet 1t consisted Of about
900 men, Of which about 700, including lOj
marines. were to operate on land, 422 from the
Colorado and l25 each from the Alaska and
Bcncia, all the crews Of the Monocacy and
Paos 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 conlcal
right and west bank Of the river and extends
out into the water about il half mile. Its
average width from the North to the South Is
about 400 Yards. The river makes Il sharp
bend around the point Of this little peninsula
and during the rise and fall of the tide the
water 1lshes past it with rapidity. About 300
Yards from the extreme eastern point OF this a
| small conical hill arises about 300 feet high
The Coreans have fortified this IN such man
ner that looking from the water the walls OF
the fort appear but continuation OF the eX-
tension upward of the steep sides of the hill.
only approaching more nearly to the perpendlc-
uar the sides ofthe hill forming an ang lie OF about
45 or 30 degrees with the horizon and the tort be-
ing so built on the top to occupy the whole level
space, about 50 feet in diameter leaving no lev
81 ground outside the parapet wall. The
ground between this and the waters edge is
very rough, steep and rocky and diff
ticut for military operations. The Coreans
had water battery of n and ~ Founders and
small old brass pieces commanding the chan
mel past this point, and protecting the APP
proaches to the tort from the water on thetront.
As this was the grand object Of attack it was
determined TO land several miles below and
take it in the rear. Accordingly when the
boats reached the first fort about two miles be-
low the point above mention, the Alonocacy
and Palos opened fire on it with vlgor, but
the P;los, unfortunately, running upon Il rock
was held fast there and her effectiveness impair
ed for while. The Monocacy' 5 fire continued,
silencing the fort and driving in the defenders,
and under the cover of this fire the smaller
boats which had been towed up BY the PalOS,
cast off, rowcd rapidly to the beach and land
cd potion Of the force designed to operate
by land
The landing was effected in good order and
without difficulty, but the men had then to
toll through some two hundred yards OF mud
from one to two feet deep, and over slulces in
some parts much deeper, before reaching good,
firm dry land. This done the first fort was
easily occupied, its defenders having been
sienced BY the fire from the Monocacy and
Palos, and retreated on the approach Of the
skirmish line of marines thrown out in advance
of the attacking party, firing a few harmless
shots as they fed. Night now coming On the
whole land force bivouaced till the next morn
ing, posting strong guards in advance
On Sunday, the II th, the whole expedition
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 Elbouaf'J from its being ocat-
cd in the bend or elbow Of the river, this being
4 place of great strength and the way OF the APP
proach being extremely rough and difficult
sometime was necessary to get the whole force
up into position When the order was given
to charge about half past 10, our whole line
| went with rush and yell responded to by the
death wall or war-whoop of the Coreans III the
| fort.
The Coreans here made firm stand and
desperate resistance, firing their clumsy gingalS
with great GOODNESS and elaboration 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 stnrmed and our men
were inside the ramparS. Lieut. Mckee, OF
the Kentucky, who led the chragc into
the fort was the first TO enter and fell lighting
bravcly, being overwhelmed and borne down
by superior numbers. Two hundred and forty
! three dead Corcans were found in the fort and
| several prisoners we've taken, among whom Was
deputycommander- .chict.who wounded
Our own loss was Lieut.. II. ". Mckee, 5. Allen,
ordinary seaman OF the Colorado, and private
Houraham, of the marine corps, killed. Seven
were wounded, including passed assistant sur
geon G. j. S. Wells, Of the Colorado. Aiter
capture the destruction Of the fort was mmc-
diatcly begun. The honses were fired, the
works and guns destroyed, and the magazines
exploded. All the wounded CoreanS were
taken to the Monocacy. The land force en-
eamped in the neighborhood Of the fort on the
| night of the / !th and carly, the 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 of June.