Korean Expedition

The captured Sujagi aboard USS Colorado in June 1871
Date1 June – 3 July 1871
(1 month and 2 days)
Location
Ganghwa Island
37°42′00″N 126°26′00″E / 37.7000°N 126.4333°E / 37.7000; 126.4333
Result

American victory

  • Successful punitive expedition and withdrawal
  • End of Korean attacks on shipping
  • Korea retains isolationist policies
Belligerents
 United States  Joseon
Commanders and leaders
Support by:
Strength
  • 650 men
  • 1 frigate
  • 2 sloops-of-war
  • 2 gunboats
  • 800 men
  • 40 artillery pieces
  • 6 forts
  • 4 shore batteries
Casualties and losses
  • 3 killed
  • 10 wounded
  • 1 gunboat damaged
  • 243 killed (American estimate)[1]
  • ~350 killed (Korean estimate, likely including drowning victims)[1]
  • 20 captured (later released)
  • 40 artillery pieces captured
  • 5 forts destroyed
  • 1 fort damaged
  • 4 shore batteries destroyed
United States expedition to Korea
Hangul
신미양요
Hanja
辛未洋擾
Revised RomanizationShinmiyangyo
McCune–ReischauerShinmiyangyo

The United States expedition to Korea, known in Korea as the Shinmiyangyo (Korean: 신미양요; Hanja: 辛未洋擾; lit. Western Disturbance in the Shinmi Year (1871)) or simply the Korean Expedition, was an American military action in Korea that took place predominantly on and around Ganghwa Island in 1871.

Background

Frederick Low, the American ambassador to China, sent the mission to ascertain the fate of the merchant ship General Sherman, which had gone missing while visiting Korea in 1866. According to a National Interest article, Low's own records indicated the punitive campaign was motivated by a need to demonstrate American power over what he considered to be a weaker nation. Previously, the American commanders had felt entitled to be able to "peacefully" enter Korean waters for survey and trade using heavily armed warships and had ignored repeated diplomatic requests to respect Korean sovereignty.[2]

Korean officials had sent letters holding the Americans as responsible for breaking their country's laws through unlawfully sending armed warships into their territorial waters, and also finally explaining to Low what had similarly happened to the General Sherman. The governor of Ganghwa also sent what Low described as a "few worthless articles"—three cows, fifty chickens, and a thousand eggs—in an effort to de-escalate things. The Americans rejected the offer. Instead, a punitive campaign was launched after the commanding American admiral failed to receive an official apology from the Koreans that they felt they were owed.[3] The isolationist nature of the Joseon dynasty government and the imperial nature of the Americans to not recognize Korea's set policies, changed a diplomatic expedition into an armed conflict.[4]

Initial contact

The expedition consisted of about 650 men, over 500 sailors, and 100 Marines, as well as five warships:[5] Colorado, Alaska, Palos, Monocacy, and Benicia. Embarked aboard Colorado was Rear Admiral John Rodgers, and Frederick F. Low, the United States Ambassador to China.[6][7] 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 gesture was misinterpreted; 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-day Seoul. Therefore, the Joseon government rejected the U.S. request. However, despite the Joseon government's refusal, the United States sailed.[8]

On 1 June, the Korean fortress fired at the U.S. fleet as they sailed up the Ganghwa Straits, which leads to the river. The U.S. forces were not badly damaged due to "the bad gunnery of the [K]oreans, whose fire, although very hot for the fifteen minutes in which they maintained it, was ill-directed, and consequently without effect."[9] The U.S. demanded an apology within 10 days; there was no response so Rodgers decided on a punitive assault on the forts.[7]

Battle of Ganghwa

American servicemen after capturing Fort Dŏkjin (Fort Monocacy) on 10 June by Felice Beato

On 10 June, the Americans attacked the lightly defended Choji Garrison on Ganghwa, along the Salee River. The Koreans were armed with severely outdated weapons, such as matchlock muskets, cannons, and breech-loading swivel guns. After overrunning the Korean defenders, the Americans moved on to their next objective, the Deokjin Garrison. American 12-pound howitzers kept the poorly armed Korean forces from effective range. The American troops continued towards the next objective, Deokjin Fort, which they found abandoned. The sailors and Marines quickly dismantled this fortress and continued to Gwangseong Garrison, a citadel. By this time, Korean forces had regrouped there. Along the way, some Korean units tried to flank the U.S. forces but were beaten off again due to the strategic placement of artillery on two hills.

Artillery fire from ground forces and Monocacy offshore pounded the citadel in preparation for an assault by U.S. forces. A force of 546 sailors and 105 Marines grouped on the hills west of the fortress (infantry troops were on the hill directly west of the fortress, while artillery troops on another hill both shelled the fortress and also covered the Americans' flanks and rear), keeping cover and returning fire. Once the bombardment stopped, the Americans charged the citadel, led by Lieutenant Hugh McKee. The slow reload time of the Korean matchlocks aided the Americans, armed with superior Remington rolling block carbines, in making it over the walls; the Koreans even ended up throwing rocks at the attackers.

McKee was the first to make it into the citadel and was fatally wounded by a shot to the groin; after him came commander Winfield Scott Schley, who shot the Korean soldier who had killed McKee.[10] The flag of the Korean commander, General Eo Jae-yŏn, called the "Sujagi" by Koreans, was captured by Corporal Charles Brown of Colorado's guard and Private Hugh Purvis of Alaska's guard.[11] General Eo was killed by Private James Dougherty.[12] While serving as the color bearer for Colorado's crew and Marines, Colorado Carpenter Cyrus Hayden planted the U.S. flag on the ramparts under heavy enemy fire. Corporal Brown, Privates Dougherty, Purvis, and Carpenter Hayden received the Medal of Honor.

The fighting lasted fifteen minutes. The total number killed was 243 Koreans and three Americans; McKee, Seaman Seth Allen, and U.S. Marine Corps Private Denis Hanrahan.[13] ten Americans were wounded, and 20 Koreans were captured, several of whom were wounded. Five Korean forts were taken in total, with dozens of small cannons.[14][15] The Korean deputy commander was among the wounded who were captured.[16] The U.S. hoped to use the captives as a bargaining chip to meet with local officials, but the Koreans refused, calling the captives cowards and "Low was told that he was welcome to keep the wounded prisoners." However, the Americans released the prisoners before departing.[17]

Following the military operations of 10–12 June, the United States Asiatic Squadron stayed at anchorage off Jakyak Island until 3 July, when they left for China.[18][19]

Aftermath

The United States had hoped that their victory would persuade the Koreans to return to the negotiating table. But the Koreans refused to negotiate. In fact, these events led the regent Daewon-gun to strengthen his policy of isolation and issue a national proclamation against appeasing foreigners.[20] Additionally the Koreans soon sent reinforcements in large numbers that were armed with more modern weapons to confront the American troops. Realizing that the odds had shifted, the U.S. fleet consequently departed and set sail for China on 3 July.[21]

There were no further attacks on foreign ships. In 1876, Korea established a trade treaty with Japan after Japanese ships approached Ganghwa Island and threatened to fire on Seoul. Treaties with European countries and the U.S. soon followed.

Nine sailors (Chief Quartermaster Grace, Quartermasters Troy, Franklin and Rogers, Boatswain's Mate McKenzie, Ordinary Seaman Andrews, Carpenter Hayden, and Landsmen Lukes and Merton) and six Marines (Corporal Brown and Privates Coleman, Dougherty, McNamara, Owens, and Purvis) were awarded the Medal of Honor, the first for actions in a foreign conflict.

Treaty of Amity and Commerce

From April–May 1882, the United States, represented by Commodore Robert W. Shufeldt of the United States Navy, and Korea negotiated and approved a 14-article treaty.[22][1] The treaty established mutual friendship and mutual assistance in case of attack;[23] and also addressed such specific matters as extraterritorial rights for American citizens in Korea[24] and most favored nation trade status.[25]

The treaty remained in effect until the annexation of Korea in 1910.

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 Fact: America First Went to War in Korea In 1871, The National Interest
  2. ↑ Roblin, Sebastien (18 January 2018). "In 1871, America 'Invaded' Korea. Here's What Happened". The National Interest. Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  3. ↑ Rights to Protect Citizens in Foreign Countries by Landing Forces. U.S. Government Printing Office. 1912. p. 59. Archived from the original on 14 April 2021. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  4. ↑ Hwang, Kyung Moon, ed. (2019), "The General Sherman Incident of 1866", Past Forward: Essays in Korean History, Anthem Press, pp. 170–171, ISBN 978-1-78308-880-5, archived from the original on 15 April 2021, retrieved 15 April 2021
  5. ↑ The number of ships is confirmed by Lee (1984), p. 264.
  6. ↑ Lee (1984), loc. cit.
  7. 1 2 Colorado Archived copy at the Library of Congress Web Archives (archived 4 October 2012). Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
  8. ↑ Korean History Dictionary Compilation Society (10 September 2005). "신미양요". terms.naver.com (in Korean). Archived from the original on 6 June 2021. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  9. ↑ "Report of Rear Admiral John Rodgers Archived 20 September 2020 at the Wayback Machine". In Reports of the Secretary of the Navy and of the Postmaster General. Washington: Government Printing Office. 1871. p. 277.
  10. ↑ Lexington Morning Herald 28 November 1897
  11. ↑ Report of Captain McLane Tilton to the Secretary of the Navy, Korea, 16 June 1871
  12. ↑ Report of Commander L.A. Kimberly (USN) to the Secretary of the Navy, Korea, 5 July 1871
  13. ↑ Dispatch from Commodore John Rodgers to the Secretary of the Navy, Corea, 23 June 1871
  14. ↑ Nahm (1996), p. 149.
  15. ↑ Rear-Admiral John Rodgers, General Order No. 32, 12 June 1871
  16. ↑ "The Korean War", New York Times, Vol. 20, No. 6215, 22 August 1871
  17. ↑ Kim Young-Sik, PhD. "Association for Asia Research- The early US-Korea relations". Asianresearch.org. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  18. ↑ Report of Rear-Admiral John Rodgers to the Secretary of the Navy, 5 July 1871
  19. ↑ deck logs for the USS Colorado, USS Alaska, USS Benicia, USS Monocacy, and USS Palos from 10 June 1871 to 3 July 1871
  20. ↑ Nahm (1986), p. 149-150; Lee (1984), p. 266.
  21. ↑ "TWE Remembers: The Korean Expedition of 1871 and the Battle of Ganghwa (Shinmiyangyo)". Council on Foreign Relations. Archived from the original on 15 April 2021. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  22. ↑ Yŏng-ho Ch'oe et al. (2000). Sources of Korean Tradition, p. 235, p. 235, at Google Books; excerpt, "Korea signed a similar accord with the United States (the Treaty of Chelump'o, 1882) that was followed by similar agreements with other Western nations;" Korean Mission to the Conference on the Limitation of Armament, Washington, D.C., 1921-1922. (1922). Korea's Appeal to the Conference on Limitation of Armament, p. 29., p. 29, at Google Books; excerpt, "Treaty and Diplomatic Relations Between the United States and Korea. Treaty of Friendship, Commerce, and Navigation dated May 22, 1882."
  23. ↑ Korean Mission Korea's Appeal to the Conference on Limitation of Armament, p. 29., p. 29, at Google Books; excerpt, "... Article 1."
  24. ↑ Korean Mission p. 29., p. 29, at Google Books; excerpt, "... Article 4."
  25. ↑ Korean Mission p. 29., p. 29, at Google Books; excerpt, "... Article 14."
  26. ↑ [A similar version of the same scene is at Archived 26 September 2021 at the Wayback Machine.]

References

  • Lee, Ki-baek (1984). A new history of Korea. Translated by E.W. Wagner; E.J. Shultz (revised 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.
  • Duvernay, Thomas A. (2021). Sinmiyangyo: The 1871 Conflict Between the United States and Korea. Seoul: Seoul Selection. ASIN B08BF9J9HB.
  • Gordon H. Chang, "Whose 'Barbarism'? Whose 'Treachery'? Race and Civilization in the Unknown United States-Korea War of 1871," Journal of American History, Vol. 89, No. 4 (March 2003), pp. 1331–1365 in JSTOR
  • Yŏng-ho Ch'oe; William Theodore De Bary; Martina Deuchler and Peter Hacksoo Lee. (2000). Sources of Korean Tradition: From the Sixteenth to the Twentieth Centuries. New York: Columbia University Press. ISBN 978-0-231-12030-2; ISBN 978-0-231-12031-9; OCLC 248562016
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