[KS] Re: 1871 Incident

[Thomas Duvernay]

>A just few days ago, some kind of memorial service was held at 
>KwangsOngjin, the battle ground of the 1871 incident, where a great 
>grandson (or great great grandson) of O Chae-yOn met a great grandson of an 
>American officer who fought at the battle (I forgot his name).  This 
>American descendent reportedly offered his sincere apology for the American 
>invasion to Mr. O.  I saw this report in one of the TV news in Korea last 
>week.  Thought this may be of interest to some.
>

You are referring to General Uh Je-yeon's jesa, which was held last weekend. 
  The American you are referring to is Mr. James Wardrop (Jamie), who is 
from Sewickley, Pennsylvania (he's a teacher of photography at a private 
high school).  Very nice fellow.  He and I first got acquainted a couple of 
years ago while I was researching the 1871 action (I was looking for 
descendants of those involved); we became fast friends, although we actually 
met face to face only this past week.  I went to the jesa last year and 
Jamie showed an interest in coming this year; I encouraged him to do so and 
I arranged things through the Kanghwa County Office (they sponsor the jesa, 
along with the Uh family).

Jamie stayed at the Intercontinental Hotel in Seoul and I picked him up on 
my way to Kanghwa; we stayed one night at a motel next to Kwangsungbo (where 
the Sondolmok Fortress is located; the place where the big battle happened 
and where the jesa was held).

At the jesa, SBS came to interview those involved.  Jamie and Uh Je-yeon's 
grandson (Uh Yoon-won, 85) were interviewed, as was I (my interview didn't 
make it on the broadcast, however).  Mr. Uh and Jamie took to each other 
immediately and became good friends (Mr. Uh wanted to go wherever Jamie 
went).  Mr. Uh is a very likeable person and LOVES to talk (even more than 
me-- that's really saying something [literally]).

I was very happy to have a small part in this historic event.  It was the 
first time in 129 years that the two families have met.  You could see the 
old rift melt before your eyes; it was truly amazing.  Also, Jamie, like me, 
supports having the general's flag returned to Korea 
(http://www.ncmc.cc.mi.us/esl/1871/kwg46.jpg); it is currently housed at the 
US Naval Academy's museum (http://www.ncmc.cc.mi.us/esl/1871/usnasugi.jpg).  
The Uh family was, needless to say, pleased to hear it.  I have been trying 
to get it returned for the past three years (no luck); if anyone would like 
to 'join the cause' please contact me.

I took many photos there (some with my digital camcorder and others with a 
still), but my DVC interface to my computer is acting up, so the only photos 
I got put up (so far) are those I took with my still camera.  You can see a 
couple of photos of Jamie with Mr. Uh at: 
http://www.ncmc.cc.mi.us/esl/1871/jwuyw2.jpg and also the file jwuyw1.jpg.  
I have been adding many items to the main page, so you may like to check it 
out, too.

Thomas
http://www.ncmc.cc.mi.us/esl/1871/index.html



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