The Washington times., 1901-10-09

tenant Commanders Dewey. Luce, Meade
| Sicard, Selfridge. and Walker. all OF
| whom afterward rose to high rank and
fame. Schley was next made executive
officer of the Benicia, attached to the Ash
| attic Squadron. While thus serving he
had an opportunity for further active
| fighting, and while occupying this posi-
| tion one of the most interesting episodes
! of his life occurred.
| In 1866 the Koreans had captured an
| American trading schooner. and, as was
reported, had massacred her crew, al
| though all efforts definitely to learn the
| fate of the men had failed. Defeat Of
| an invading French army had made them
insolent. Our Government, however.
deemed the negotiation with them Of a
treaty for the protection of shipwrecKed
sailors necessity, and accordingly. Rear
Admiral John Rodgers, with our Minister
to China and four vessels of the Asiatic
squadron. arrived OF the Korean coast
in May, 1871. No charts of the Ping Yang
River existing, boats were sent ahead to
make soundings, assurances meanwhile
being sent to the Korean Government of
the peaceful character of their mission
Nevertheless. they were fired upon by the
Korean forts. Admiral Rodgers at once
p
the fortifications.
The difficulties of getting ashore and OF
traversing the country were extreme. The
men were compelled to struggle throuh
deep morass and dense jungles. and to
drag their pieces through ravines almost
impossible with fallen timber. As the
minor fortifcatioas were encountered,
they were carried, the Koreans steadily
retreating until the force reached posi-
tion before the principal citadel, where
the enemy had evidently determined to
make a final stand. Our men were now
masked by low hill. on the other side
of which deep ravine. some eighty feet
in descent. separated them from sharp
and much higher declivity. on the summit
of which rose the parapet of the fort.
The artillery was posted TO command a
road and a bridge over which the Kor-
cans. if dislodged, would have to retreat
About noon the order to charge was
given. and the men rushed over the pro-
tecting hilltop. In front of all ran Lieut..
Hugh Mckee, cheering on his company.
Immediately after him was Schley. Down
they went to the bottom of the ravine.
and then up the slope. which afforded alb
solutely no cover, amid a hail of bullets
and stones from the fort.
ne SlpIIilllS tDluilAl tillit up anu
our men were pouring into the works
from all sides The fighting was hand-to-
hand. and Schley was in the thick Of it.
The Koreans would neither take nor give
quarter. Finally, they ran for their ave
nue. of escape, only TO be moved down by
canister from the howitzer battery-and
the day was won.
In his official report upon the matter
Commander Kimberly commended Schley
in the highest terms for his bravery.
The Koreans lost more than 800 killed,
while of our own forces but three We're
Killed and nine wounded.
Returning from the Asiatic Station.
Sc.;ley was again assigned to the Naval
Academy, where he remained until 1874
He was then made commander. and was
placed in command of the Essex and sent
TO the African coast to survey boundaries
and make deep sea soundings near st.
Helena. His vessel was then sent to
South America, where he rescued a ship
wrecked crew on Tristan d'Acunha. His |
next assignment was as inspector of light /
houses, and as an assistant in the Bureau |
of Equipment. 1t was while occupying |
this position that he was placed in com
mand of the expedition sent to the rescue |
of Lieut.. Adolphus W. Greedy in the Arc |
tic Seas
He WAS selected for this task by Sec !
retary Chandler because of the confidence |