National Republican., 1883-09-15

MOTEL. Tho Corean flag, tho hrst ever un-
furled in this country, will float during their
stay from the flag staff on the Arlington.
If the members of the Corean embassy,
now on their way to this city, are given to
emotions" l wonder what they thought
when they stepped aboard the Monocacy,
bound for the United States2 For it was
this same Monocacy that twelve years ago
shelled the batteries on the Kang Yum, and
ten days later assisted" in the capture Of the
citadel Fort Sun-tol-mok
In 1871 1t was determined by our govern
ment, influenced and encouraged by the ex-
perience in China of Mr.. Low, to open up
negotiations with Coroa, which was sort
of Cain among the nations-"its hand against
every man, and every mans hand against IT.
tho latter in self defense for the old policy of
China was SO vigorously pursued on the pen
insula that even such strangers as were cast
away by shipwreck on its shores were imme-
diately put to DEATH and its laws against
emigration Tor, indeed, travel outside of tho
country in any form) was discouraged by tho
heaviest penalties, not the least of which
were confscaton of estates and death.
Admiral John Rodgers was put In command
of the Asiatic squadron, and was requested to
second Mr.. Lows diplomatic efforts lin every
way that might seem advisable and ex-
pedient" He was given the Alaska, Colorado,
Benicia, Monocacy, and Palos, and sailed
from China proper for Corea the latter part of
May, 1871.
On the thirtieth instant the fleet arrived off
the mouth of the Kang Yam, where it was
anchored, and where the flagship was shortly
after boarded by number of natives, promi
nent among them being three men who
claimed they were ENJOYS sent by their
SO ereign to meet and negotiate with the
Americans. The interview was unsatisfactory
to both Admiral Rodgers and Mr. Low, for
the socalled envoys gave them no informa-
tion; on the contrary, their sole object
seemed to be to find out all they could about
tho armament of the fleet Moreover, they
showed no credentials, which was considered
n suspicious circumstance; but they were
courteously treated and allowed to depart
quietly, after being informed that our people
intended to mako surveys and take sound
ings and they were given twenty-four hours
in which to notify the natives of such in
tention.
ssss.On tho first of June the Monocacy and
falos started up the Kang Yam, preceded by
four picket launches, but the tide was too
quick to allow time for accurate angles or
soundngs, and the attempt to take and make
them was abandoned.
Being the very first foreigners who ever
got even so far into the interior, the officers
and men enjoyed the nov velty of the trip, un-
suspicious of the treachery to come. Like
"Greenland's icy mountains and lndia's
and it was only on reaching Kang Hoa
island they found that man was vile" for
on passing the lower end of the isle they saw
a line of forts connected by wall and facing
the river. Flags were floating and signs of
occupation by soldiery were apparent every
where. A little ia rther on tho batteries of
Fort du Conde came in sight, and an ominous
growl arose from the ships when it was seen
that the guns were manned and the face of
tho hill occupied by at least a thousand foot
soldiers.
From u parapet overlooking both fort and
troops yellow flag was flying, and as it
rose and fell the dragon rampant and the
Chinese characters on its field told of tho
presence of the commanding general. On the
point opposite was line of small fortiflca-
tions also manhed and armed with gingalls.
In the main fort were two or three 32-
Founders, but the greater number of tho en-
brasures were occupied by u rough sort of
gatling gun, made by lashing five or six small
pieces of ordnance together AS the little
tlotillu came abreast of this, q single pistol
shot was fired, and then the forts and masked
batteries burst into chorus of iron and
flame. Our ships, though surprised. were
not taken unawares for the wary old hero,
Fighting john" had ordered the guns to be
charged and heavily shotted, the magazines
to be replenished, and the commanders to
have their eyes peeled" for his reading of
the old prOverb was "Forearmed is better
than being forewarned."
Consequ emily our vessels immediately
responded to the Corean fire, and after some
sharp fighting drove out the enemy. But the
advantage could not be immediately followed
up for the Monoclcy was stove in and leak
ing badly; the guns of the Palos had kicked
her bulwarks clean away; the launches were
out Of ammunition, and the boats themselves
filled with water.
A retreat was signaled. The Monocacy
tripped her anchors, and steamed back. firing
right and left; tho PalOs followed as defiantly,
and although the lower line of forts kept up
n vigorous cannonading, the shot fell wide of
the mark, and the two ships got away with
out further damage, followed by the plucky
little launches kicking up the water with
their screws like a brood of angry chickens.
The news was received with wrath by the
heet, and the first cry was for immediate ven
geance. But the spring tides were running,
and as the rise of the Hood was 80 to 80 feet,
the admiral determined to await the neap
tides, which he did
On the tenth Of June the expedition set
out, the Palos drawing twenty-five boats
hlled with sailors, marines, munitions, and
ammunition, On reaching the shore IL was
found to be bed OF black ooze cut across by
deep gullies in which the men sank up to
their knees and stuck, releasing themselves
with difficulty and at the expense of CATERS
shoes, and even trousor legs; the guns went
in axle deep and indeed it took all the grit
and strength of officers and men to effect the
landing at all.
The first fort was an easy victory, the
Coreans withdrawing after few scattering
shots This was fortunate, for there was
heavy ordnance in its walls its water battery
mounted thirty guns, and the ramparts twelve
twelve feet high On entering, our men spiked
the large guns, threw the small ones into the
river and then turned In" for the night,
full of glee aud Yankee Doodleism.
About midnight "a wild yell arose in the
darkness, and girdletp the fort with hideous
echoes; the Coreans swarmed about the walls,
but the attack was repclled with shells
which did much damage TO the storming
party. In the morning stone fort II mile
further on was carried by assault and dis
mantled, and then came the struggle Of the
expedition-the capture of Sun-tol-mok, the
citadel.
Between the second fort aud tho citadel the
country was most difficult one for foot, sol
diers, in fact for anything except eagles and
goats 1t was succession OF steep hills,
traversed irregularly by great crevasscs or
Tavines, over which the sailors and marines
passed with extreme fatigue and somo loss
of life for the day was intensely hot, and n
number Of men were sunstruck.
And no wonder. The work done on the
eleventh OF Juno was phenominnl, for be-
sides the fighting and marching there was
the labor with the guns which could only DC
got along and up the sleeps by widening
some paths, cutting out fresh ones filling
up gullies and when everything else failed,
dragging them by main force up the face OF
the rocks
Meantime tha Cnpoony ,vnrn nrnvinu than1-