The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1901-08-31
SGHIET'S RECORD III OUR
AFFAIRS WITH KOREA
COMMANDER kiMsERLgY con-
MENDED scHLEyTo THE
NAVY DEPARTMENT.
oHeisI Account Of Fight Between
Americans ard Koreans which
sehley Planned and in Which He
Displayed Great Courage.


Schley court OF inquiry recalls an In
tsresting episode Of the Korean ex-
petition. The expedition was one sent
to destroy the forts which had fired
on a surveying party and the ships
which were taking United States Min
lister Low TO Korea TO negotiate q
treaty with the Chinese authorities.
The expedition was sent on the last
day Of May. 1871. under command Of
Rear Admiral Rodgers. Surveying
parties sent in small boats up the Sale
river in Korea were fred upon. and in
consequence our naval force deter
mined upon the destruction of the
forts, after waiting ten days for some
explanation or apology for the acts Of
hostility.
A party of sailors and marines were
landed, and after a difficult march
over an almost impossible country.
the forts were assaulted and captured
June 9 and TO- The officers and men
engaged in this attack displayed per-
severance. steadiness and courage
highly creditable to the country and
the service.
Five forts were captured mad de-
stroyed. five le-fiags taken and ISL
pieces OF artillery fell into our hands.
Upwards of two hundred and fifty
Koreans were killed and few cap
tured.
Schley was an active participant in
the operations. He came directly un-
der the command of Commander L. A
Kimberley. who commanded the Ben
icia during the expedition. and who
is one of the officers TO serve on the
Schley court of inquiry In one part
of his description of the assault on
the citadel Commander Kimberley ad-
dressing the Secretary of the Navy, in
an official report, said:
The citadel was captured, but dear
~ so. as the gallant and brave Mckee,
the first to enter over the parapet,
fell MORALLY wounded with two
wounds; he has since died, and the
navy has lost one of her bravest and
noblest sons. Lieutenant Comman-
der Schley was the next officer in the
fort and killed the Korean who wound
ed Mckee"
In making his recommendations TO
the department, Commander kimber-
ley said OF Schley: ;,
ITO Lieutenant Commander w. s.
Schley belongs the credit of organic
ing the expedition and carrying out
the several details. which went far to
prevent confusion and induce success.
His arrangement of the boats. his sJlz
perintendenee of the various labors
on shore. in destroying the guns and
forts, encouraging the men and setting
them a brave example. in being the
second in the fort with its storming
and being in readiness at all times to
render assistance where most needed
render praise unnecessary. The facts
of his labors and actions. judgment
and system, speak for themselves.
commend him to your notice"
In his own official report of the
matter, Lieutenant Commander Schley
said in part:
About 1890 p. m. the charge was
made through a deep ravine. full so
feet deep. with $50 sailors and ma
rines. The approach was clear of any
covering. and the fire of the enemy
most terrific and severe. Nothing
could withstand the men. The i'm
petuosity of the charge was met by
brave men in the fort, who contested
inch by inch, and who fought hand to
hand The honor of gaining the first
foothold inside the fort fell TO Lieut..
Mckee. who. was at once charged by
the enemy. But a moment had elaps-
ed until I had gained the inside and
went 20 his aid in his desperate fight
with the enemy. In a moment he fell
mortally wounded by a musket ball
in the groin and spear stab in the
side. The same brave one who had
speared Mckee rushed upon me, but
the spear passed between my left arm
and my body. and before he could
withdraw it for a second trial he was
shot dead and fell lifeiess at my feet