United States expedition to Korea

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United States expedition to Korea
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 Shinmiyangyo
McCune-Reischauer Shinmiyangyo

The United States expedition to Korea in 1871 also known as Shinmiyangyo (Western Disturbance of the Year Sinmi year) was the first American military action in Korea. It took place predominantly on and around the Korean island of Ganghwa. The reason for the presence of the American military expeditionary force in Korea was to support an American diplomatic delegation sent 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 isolationist nature of the Joseon Dynasty government and the assertiveness of the Americans led to a misunderstanding between the two parties that changed a diplomatic expedition into an armed conflict. The United States won a minor military victory, but as the Koreans refused to open up the country to them (and as the U.S. forces in Korea did not have the authority or strength to press the issue) the United States failed to secure their diplomatic objectives.

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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. On board the Colorado, Rear Admiral John Rodgers' flag ship, was Frederick F. Low, the United States Ambassador to China.[2][3] The Korean forces, known as "Tiger Hunters," were led by general Eo Jae-yeon (Hangul: 어재연 Hanja: 魚在淵).

The Americans safely made contact with the Korean inhabitants, described as "people wearing white clothes". When they inquired about the General Sherman incident, the Koreans were initially reluctant to discuss the topic, ostensibly to avoid having to pay any recompense. The Americans consequently let the Koreans know that their fleet would be exploring the area, and that they meant no harm. This friendly gesture was misunderstood; as Korean policy at the time prohibited foreign ships from sailing on the Han River, as it led directly to the capital city of Hanyang (modern Seoul), on June 1 the Korean fortress fired at the U.S. fleet as it entered the river. The cannons were outdated, poorly positioned and in such disrepair that the Koreans could not sufficiently depress the barrels, and most of the shots sailed over the ships. When, in their judgement, no satisfactory explanation for this action was offered to them, the Americans planned a punitive assault.[3]

[edit] The assault

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

On June 10, 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 in the events leading to the Treaty of Ganghwa.) The Korean forces banded together as guerilla units but, armed with only matchlocks, and kept in check by American 12 pound howitzers, were unable to get within effective firing range. The US troops moved on toward the next objective, Deokjin Garrison (Fort Monocacy).

Korean forces abandoned Deokjin and began massing further to the north. The Marines quickly dismantled this fortress in the same fashion as they had the Choji one. American forces continued to Gwangseong Garrison (the Citadel). By this time, Korean forces had regrouped there. 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 and the other four ships 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. Once the bombardments stopped, the Americans charged the Citadel, led by Lt. Hugh McKee. The slow reload time of the Korean matchlock rifles allowed the Americans, who were armed with superior Remington rolling block carbines, to make it over 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 in the side. After him came Commander Schley, avenging his comrade[4]. The flag of the Korean commander, General Eo Jae-yeon, which is called the Sujagi by Koreans, was captured by Corporal Charles Brown of the USS Colorado's guard and Private Hugh Purvis of the USS Alaska's guard.[5] General Eo was killed by Private James Dougherty. [6]

The fighting lasted fifteen minutes. In the end, about 350 Koreans and three Americans died (the American casualties were Lt. McKee, Ordinary Seaman Seth Allen, and USMC Pvt. Denis Hanrahan[7]), nine Americans were wounded, and 20 wounded Koreans were captured.[8] The Korean deputy commander was among the wounded who were captured.[9] The US hoped to use the captives as a bargaining chip to meet with local 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 a second attempt to continue up the Han River toward Hanyang (present-day Seoul), and headed for China on July 3rd.[10]

[edit] Aftermath

The US diplomatically was not able achieve its objectives, as the Koreans refused to open up the country to them (and the US forces did not have the authority or strength to press further). In fact, these events led the regent Daewon-gun to strengthen his policy of isolation and issue a national proclamation against appeasing foreigners.[11] 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.

Nine sailors and six Marines were awarded the Medal of Honor, the first for actions in a foreign conflict.

The next US military presence in Korea took place 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,[citation needed] which established mutual friendship and defense in case of attack, the ability of Koreans to immigrate 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[citation needed] 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. ^ a b Colorado Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
  4. ^ Lexington Morning Herald November 28th, 1897
  5. ^ Report of Captain McLane Tilton (USMC) to the Secretary of the Navy, Corea, June 16, 1871
  6. ^ Report of Commander L.A. Kimberly (USN) to the Secretary of the Navy, Corea, July 5, 1871
  7. ^ Dispatch from Commodore John Rodgers to the Secretary of the Navy, Corea, June 23, 1871
  8. ^ Nahm (1996), p. 149.
  9. ^ "The Corean War", New York Times, Vol. 20, No. 6215, August 22, 1871
  10. ^ Nahm (1996), p. 149.
  11. ^ 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

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[edit] External links