Sinmiyangyo

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Sinmiyangyo
Koreans who died in Gwangseong Garrison. Albumen silver print by Felice Beato, 1871.
Koreans who died in Gwangseong Garrison. Albumen silver print by Felice Beato, 1871.
Korean name
Hangul:
신미양요
Hanja:
辛未洋擾
Revised Romanization: Sinmiyangyo
McCune-Reischauer: Sinmiyangyo

The Sinmiyangyo (lit. Western Disturbance of the Year Sinmi), known in the United States as the Korean Expedition, was the first American military action in Korea. It took place in 1871, predominantly on and around the Korean island of Ganghwa. The primary reasons for the presence of American soldiers in Korea were to establish trade and diplomatic relations with Korea, to ascertain the fate of the General Sherman merchant ship, and to establish a treaty assuring aid for shipwrecked sailors. The conservative nature of the Joseon Dynasty government, and the misunderstanding between the two parties were mostly responsible for this conflict.

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[edit] Initial Contact

A Korean carrying empty American bottles and a newspaper. Albumen silver print by Felice Beato, 1871
A Korean carrying empty American bottles and a newspaper. Albumen silver print by Felice Beato, 1871

The expedition consisted of about 650 men (over 500 sailors and 100 Marines) and five ships[1]: USS Colorado, USS Alaska, USS Palos, USS Monocacy, and USS Benicia. Frederick F. Low, the US minister in Peking, and Rear Admiral John Rodgers led the fleet[2]. The Korean forces, known as "Tiger Hunters," were led by Eo Jae-yeon.

The Americans safely made contact with the Korean inhabitants, described as people wearing white clothes, and, when they inquired them about the General Sherman Incident, the Koreans were initially reluctant to discuss the topic, so that they may avoid in paying any recompense. The Americans consequently let the Koreans know that their fleet would be exploring the area, and that they meant no harm. As this friendly gesture was misunderstood, and the Korean policy at the time allowed no safe passage for foreign ships into the Han River, for the river led directly to the Korean capital Hanyang, the Korean fortress fired at the fleet upon entrance. The cannons were outdated, poorly positioned and in disrepair such that the Koreans could not lower their aim, and most of the shots sailed over the ships. For this the Americans planned an assault.

[edit] The Assault

Americans victorious over the Deokjin Garrison.
Americans victorious over the Deokjin Garrison.

On June 10th 1871, the Americans attacked Choji Garrison on Ganghwa and met nearly no opposition; they camped nearby overnight. The next morning, they finished destroying the fort and its guns. This same fort had previously been destroyed and rebuilt following the French incursions of 1866, and was later shelled again by the Japanese in 1876. The Korean forces banded together as guerilla units but, armed with only matchlocks, and being kept in check by American 12 pound howitzers, they could not get within effective firing range. The US troops moved on toward the next objective, Deokjin Garrison (Fort Monocacy).

The Korean forces had abandoned Deokjin and chose to mass together further north. The Marines quickly dismantled this fortress in the same fashion as they did for the Choji garrison. American forces continued to Gwangseong Garrison (the Citadel). By that time, Korean forces had regrouped there en masse. Along the way, some Korean units tried to flank the US forces; they were checked, again, by the strategic placement of artillery on two hills near the Citadel.

Artillery from both ground and USS Monocacy offshore pounded the Citadel and the hill directly west of it, in preparation for an assault by US forces. The US troops of nine companies of sailors and one company of Marines, grouped on the facing hill, keeping cover and returning fire.

When a signal was given, the bombardments stopped and the Americans made a charge against the Citadel, with Lt. Hugh McKee in the lead. The slow reload time of the Korean matchlocks allowed the Americans to overwhelm the walls; the Koreans even ended up throwing rocks at the attackers. Lt. McKee, the first to make it into the Citadel, was shot in the groin and speared by the side. After him came Commander Schley, avenging his comrade[3].

The fighting lasted fifteen minutes. To those who saw defeat as inevitable, including General Eo, took their lives by the river. In the end, about 350 Koreans and 3 Americans died (Lt. McKee, Ordinary Seaman Seth Allen, and USMC Pvt. Dennis Hannahan[4]), 9 Americans were wounded, and 20 wounded Koreans were captured.[5] The Korean deputy commander was among the wounded who were captured.[6] The US hoped to use the captives as a bargaining chip to meet with Korean officials, but the Koreans refused, calling the captives cowards and telling the Americans they could keep them as chattel.[citation needed] The Americans met stiff resistance when they made second attempt to continue up the Han River toward Hanyang, and headed to China on July 3rd.[7]

[edit] Aftermath

The US lost diplomatically, as the Koreans refused to open up the country to them (and the US forces didn't have the authority or strength for occupation). In fact, these events led the regent Daewon-gun to strengthen his policy of isolation and issue a national proclamation against appeasing the barbarians.[8] However, in 1876, Korea established a trade treaty with Japan after Japanese ships approached Ganghwado and threatened to fire on Seoul. Treaties with European countries and the US soon followed.

The next US military presence in Korea came at the end of WWII, in 1945; and the next military conflict in Korea, also involving the US, was the 1950-53 Korean War.

[edit] The Jemulpo Treaty

From April to May 1882 Korea and the United States negotiated and approved a 14 article treaty, which established mutual friendship and defense in case of attack, the ability of Koreans to emigrate to the US, most favored nation trade status, extraterritorial rights for American citizens in Korea, and non-interference of Christian missionaries proselytizing in Korea.

The treaty remained in effect until the annexation of Korea in 1910 by Japan, which maintained control over Korea until the end of World War II.

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ The number of ships is confirmed by Lee (1984), p. 264.
  2. ^ Lee (1984), loc. cit.
  3. ^ Lexington Morning Herald November 28th, 1897
  4. ^ Dispatch from Commodore John Rodgers to the Secretary of the Navy, Corea, June 23, 1871
  5. ^ Nahm (1996), p. 149.
  6. ^ "The Corean War", New York Times, Vol. 20, No. 6215, August 22, 1871
  7. ^ Nahm (1996), p. 149.
  8. ^ Nahm (1986), p. 149-150; Lee (1984), p. 266.

[edit] References

  • Lee, Ki-baek, tr. by E.W. Wagner & E.J. Shultz (1984). A new history of Korea (rev. ed.). Seoul: Ilchogak. ISBN 89-337-0204-0. 
  • Nahm, Andrew C. (1996). Korea: A history of the Korean people (2nd ed.). Seoul: Hollym. ISBN 1-56591-070-2. 

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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