The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-13
Brilliant Naval Achievement in
Destroying the SaIIee Forts.
SNLEY WAS IN THE FIGHT.
Many Hundred Soldiers Of the Hermit
Nation Lost Their Lives in Battles
With the Americans.


We have fought there before, and right
in that semi-hermit state, Korea, on
the borders OF which the Russian bear
IL now showing its claws and the Japa-
nese navy its ugly teeth And such a
wound did we infict on that curious coun-
try that she doubtless well remembers it
even TO this day. or course. II is an in
cidtsnt that IL scarcely remembered in this
cossntry at all. It's a way we have about
our smaller affairs, but II is a brilliant
page in our naval history nevertheless.
reads like a chapter from book Of ro-
nance and adds not a weak light to the
blaze OF our military glory II hasn't
been so maay years since II occurred
and one Of the officers who led our ma
rfnes and sailors there and was con-
sptc-nous for his bravery was one Of the
great heroes OF our late war; Winfield
Scott Schley.
Korea was not a place in which this
country interested itself very much until
the early part OF 1871. when the govern
ment determined to open UP negotiations
with the hermit kingdom to secure GER
tain commercial rights there, Our minis
ter TO China the Hon. Mr.. Low. was
empowered to negotiate with Korea, and
in May 1871. sailed from Oheefoo on the
United States warship Colorado. accom-
panied by our entire Chinese feet under
command of Rear Admiral John Rodgers.
The fleet included the Colorado, Monoc-
acy. Palos. Beneca and Alaska Ad-
mlral Rodgers had orders 70 make sur
vey Of certain portions of the coast, ard
this work was attended to first, after
which the feet set sail for the mouth Of
the Salee river, which leads 10 the Seoul
river the latter stream RAISING the capt.
tai of the country-Seoul. Here an at
tempt was made 10 commente negotia-
lions with the Koreans hut with indif-
ferent success. The mouth of the salee
river was found to he not accurately
chared. and Admiral Rodgers determined
10 utilize the long and wearisorne stop
there by making a new survey After In
Vulnerable parleys and the unwlndfng Of
much Korean red tape. permission was
finally granted for this, and promise
made by the Koreans that the boats
crews would not be molested.
On June l Admiral Rodgers detailed
four boats from the feet under com
mand OF Commander Z. p MoRea. to
begin the survey. The boats were manned
by about eighty men. and at 70 O'Clock
started 10 execute the admirals orders
They rounded Boissee island and were
soon In sight of the Korean forts guard
ing the mouth of the Salee These were
five in number. stretching for some miles
along the left bank Of the stream. They
we're forhddtng, solid looking structures
spsendidly situated for defense against
II land attack, and fairly bristled with
ordnance of various sizes. As the boats
swung into the Sslse the crews were
struck by the fact that the river craft
which usually dotted the bosom OF tho
stream. were nowhere In evidence. but az
the Koreans were averse to any inter-
course with the foreign devils" men and
officers alike thought the craft had been
ordered up the river and travel in the
IL. 20
ed for this reason. Feeling that the Kor-
cans promise Of the day before had been
made In good faith. and that the presence
OF the Monocacy. which had followed
them 60 the mouth Of the river. would act
as n powerful deterrent II any trescherous
thoughts suggested themselves to the
Korean brain the boats were headed ND
stream without a thought OF danger oc-
curriug 10 their occupants The day was
hot, but the men bent Justify at their oars
and the boats were soon nearing the cita-
del al kanghoa just as they came
abreast OF this and were directly in range
az the guns in all the forts. a shot was
fired from the citadel. and ere It's ethoes
had died away among tho hills a line Of
IRE leapi from all Ave forts and the water
around the boats was churned white with
the storm OF shot. The boats were AZ
once put about and started down stream.
and the Monocacy coming Up drew the fire
from the boats 10 herself to which she
replied with 81 deadly precision The small
boats wore soon out OF the river and on
their WAY 70 the feet with only two mon
wounded, The Mouocacy continued her
duel with the forts but unfortunately as
she swung around 20 bring more guns into
play she struck an uuchar,ed submerged
rock. and there she stuck exposed TO the
fire from fhe forts which ala her very
little damage, however until che pairs
came up near nAghtfall and succeeded I'm
puslinr her on The admiral feared to
trust his fleet in the river. and therefore.
coutcnfed hiuAarR for the uonce hv send
Ing demand for an apology allowing the
Koreans ten laws IN which 70 make rcply.
During this interval the Monocacy was re-
rsired and prep1rntions made for the an
&c t-at ~ conflict
on The morning 81 June TO- no reply 10
tho admiral nota having come from the
Koreans the camg,aisu against the forts
was uoNmcnced. Tho expedition 60 80 up
tho r'vcT consisted ~ 80 men. With seven
howitzor~, and started esp tho Salec In
ou which extra Suns ha3 been p'aeod
Vr,rr ordered Co accompany rho boats as
far - I~r-siidc Commando 20 e. W4ke
= she TRios. was "a charge 90 tho rNr,.ti-
ton With Commando T. A. Kimhy-lcy I'm
~ tbs handing IartN com.
rNHftRF SilAN AANa'A i.ti f0AfEH OK fNH TN
Butry. with tI~N Comm lu.Ier w X
VhesSnr asg5 Stag hlIu ,ut Command
rr n 2 tas.,sU commanded Tho srtiler,
ans cart Mrtano fulton iho marines
Ths Nlai.oc acy commenced the battle
aud after "A ss',rCt hut farlous lombard
,negt ei}erced the lower forts An aprar.
extly excellent LANDING l2sce be,us dls-
covered tlst bsa9W these for'S the hand
ins nary was - icrs-i gn begin operations.
INa hcws of ,he lau~ ches were soon stick.
.as IN the bank and tte n}er Jumped ot.t.
ou.v tN stink rNeglV 20 thesr thteAa in the
80 NA-a mud Tho river Was Dor tered
rs q b-,af ribtop 90 This mud as sa~ "a
csttsd ~ seen Il was NOT only nasty and
q. efnelllnc tut " a uost tenacious ss-
S.sapsson ana shoes, Socks ans trousers
Ware torn rom tAe men IS they aaur-
derc4 through 90 thu scA5 garth beyor4
T-ae TAhlsrVu hnwitzeTS hst ~ be
6s-agwea thrN0kh this bpt the task was 81,
tAfSlcult thet tlle srgAlerassis were lefg be-
fftod ~ attend - ~ while tbc main body
~ sailors and marines oAargNl forward
against the KoCoans, WAC Nal been kecp-
ing NJ eErsartal IRE apos them from a
ridge back Of tire arst fort Tia marines
were In th~ edvssoc guard. bus he fore
thtsx rparAsaa flfO natives tina hare So xx-er.a