[KS] 1871 Incident / 2 new articles (full text)

[Frank Hoffmann]

Richard K. Kolb, 'Tiger Hunt' in Korea. _VFW, Veterans of Foreign 
Wars Magazine_, vol. 87, no. 7 (March 2000): 38-39.

David F. Winkler, ³Marine Amphibious Landing in Korea, 1871,² _Sea 
Power_, vol. 42, no. 11 (November 1999): 22-? .

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Richard K. Kolb, 'Tiger Hunt' in Korea. _VFW, Veterans of Foreign 
Wars Magazine_, vol. 87, no. 7 (March 2000): 38-39.

ABSTRACT:
US merchants in 1871 were as determined to open Korea to commerce as 
its rulers were to remain isolated from Western influence. When these 
mutually exclusive interests collided, the reaction was violent. 
During the 1871 weekend war in Korea, fierce "Tiger Hunters" defended 
Korea to the bitter end, earning the respect of hardened US Marines 
and sailors.


FULL TEXT OF ARTICLE:

As has so often been the case when East meets West, a collision in 
cultures results. Unfortunately, that's exactly what happened 129 
years ago in "Corea." a nation that is today one of America's 
staunchest allies.
U.S. merchants in 1871 were as determined to open the "Hermit 
Kingdom" to commerce as its rulers were to remain isolated from 
Western influence. When these mutually exclusive interests collided 
the reaction was violent.

DISTURBING THE MORNING CALM
The U.S. Asiatic Squadron, based in Japan, was dispatched to the 
"Land of the Morning Calm" to negotiate a treaty of commerce and 
friendship, but instead sailed away with tales of a ferocious battle 
with diehard warriors.
Soon after some preliminary contacts were made, American naval 
vessels were fired upon on May 30. The following day, a surveying 
party on the Han River sustained two wounded in another attack.
The squadron's mission quickly changed from one of peace to 
retribution, resulting in America's first large-scale amphibious 
landing on mainland Asia.
Commanded by Rear Adm. John Rodgers, the Asiatic Squadron comprised a 
flotilla of five outmoded ships. Some 1,230 men were aboard those 
ships that summer.
Several forts guarded the approaches to the Han River (also known as 
the Salee River), which leads to Seoul, and were the kingdom's 
strongest. Shore batteries were strategically placed on Kanghwado 
Island and had been used effectively against the French five years 
before.
Supporting the 651-man landing force-an improvised brigade of 542 
bluejackets and 109 Marines-was the 44-gun Colorado and two gunboats, 
Monocacy and Palos. The party, accompanied by seven light howitzers, 
disembarked from 22 small boats.
Men hit the shoreline on June 10, "sinking up to their thighs, losing 
shoes, socks, leggings, and in some instances a part of their pants," 
wrote one participant. The first two fortifications were taken 
without much opposition, but the third was a different story.

'BLOOD-CURDLING CADENCE'
Intense fighting occurred at the final and main fortress. The 
horseshoe-shaped "Citadel" was located atop a 150-foot conical hill 
on Kanghwado Island. Asiatic Squadron Marine Officer Capt. McLane 
Tilton remembered "the topography of the country as being 
indescribable, resembling a sort of chopped sea, of immense hills and 
deep ravines lying in every conceivable position."
Defending these formidable breastworks were 3,000 white-clad troops 
under Gen. O Yu-jun, including the fierce "Tiger Hunters"-the elite 
of the Korean army. From the Yalu River region, each had killed a 
tiger single-handedly and was sworn to fight to the death.
"Shorthairs," as the Koreans contemptuously dubbed all Westerners, 
were armed with antiquated .58-caliber muzzle-loading rifled muskets. 
But some had new Remington breech-loading rifles. Artillerymen 
carried cutlasses and Remington pistols. Most were Civil War veterans 
and seasoned campaigners.
Considering the reputation of Korean warriors who were wildly rumored 
to cut up and pickle or skin and crucify their enemies, it's no 
wonder Tilton wrote, "The consensus of opinion ... was to spare 
nothing that could be reached by shot, shell, fire or sword."
As shock troops approached the fort, "The air," reported one Officer, 
"seemed literally alive with whistling projectiles." Lt. Hugh W. 
McKee, commander of Company D, was the first man over the wall. He 
was immediately shot and then stabbed with a spear, dying shortly 
thereafter.
Korean battle chants sent shivers down the spines of the Americans. 
One bluejacket wrote of "the awful cadence of that blood-curdling 
strain. It was like nothing human and rang in our ears longer than 
the terrible clashing of bayonet, cutlass and spear."
Bravery, however, was not in short supply. Six Marines and nine 
sailors earned the Medal of Honor, then the only medal given for 
gallantry in action. It was rather liberally awarded then but limited 
to enlisted men. Officers' valor was still recognized by brevet 
promotions.
When the 30-minute battle for control of the fort was over, 243 
Korean corpses were counted in and around the Citadel. Another 100 or 
so Koreans were killed in the naval bombardment.
"Tiger hunters" not killed in action drowned themselves or cut their 
own throats, including their commander. Only 20 prisoners were taken, 
and all were severely wounded.
As U.S. Minister to China Frederick E Low reported, "The Koreans 
fought with desperation, rarely equaled and never excelled by any 
people."
Because of poor Korean marksmanship, American casualties were 
relatively fight. Two sailors and one Marine were killed. Another 
Marine died of fever. Of the 10 wounded, half suffered serious 
injuries.
The squadron finally left Korean territorial waters on July 6. Though 
retribution was exacted, the expedition failed in its main objective 
of securing a treaty of amity and commerce. That was not accomplished 
until 1882, and then by peaceful means.

FORGOTTEN REMINDERS
Today, the only visible reminder of the 1871 Korea expedition in the 
U.S. is a plaque in the chapel of the U.S. Naval Academy at 
Annapolis. It is dedicated to the memory of Lt. Hugh W. McKee, the 
first man over the parapet of the Citadel.
In Korea, however, the fort's earthworks and shore battery's ancient 
cannons are preserved by the provincial government. Visitors to 
Kanghwado fortress can relive the battle on the island's hillsides.
In Korean history, the engagement is known as the "Foreign 
Disturbance" of 1871. After the battle, monuments were erected with 
the following admonition:
"Western barbarians invade our land. If we do not fight we must then 
appease them. To urge appeasement is to betray the nation."

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David F. Winkler, ³Marine Amphibious Landing in Korea, 1871,² _Sea 
Power_, vol. 42, no. 11 (November 1999): 22-?


Abstract:
Winkler describes the US Marine Corps' little-known amphibious 
landing in Korea in 1871. The expedition to the "hermit kingdom" was 
mounted in response to a Korean attack on a US ship.

Full Text:

Nearly two decades after Commodore Matthew C. Perry's diplomatic 
triumph of opening Japan to foreigners, the United States sought to 
establish relations with Korea. This effort was notable--especially 
in the wake of incidents in 1866 in which Koreans treated the U.S. 
crew of the shipwrecked vessel Surprise with kindness, yet 
slaughtered the crew of the visiting merchantman General Sherman 
after it was stranded in the Han River.

Cdr. Robert W. Shufert steamed to the "Hermit Kingdom" in the USS 
Wachusett to investigate this contrary behavior in January 1867. He 
carried a letter of inquiry for the Korean rulers. A year later, Cdr. 
John C. Febiger returned on the corvette USS Shenandoah to receive 
the reply and to survey the Taedong River. The Korean response was 
statesmanlike, explaining that the General Sherman had provoked a 
confrontation. However, one of the Shenandaoh's survey boats was 
fired on, prompting Febiger to call for an expedition to avenge this 
affront to the American flag.

Three years passed before a flotilla arrived off Kangwha Island near 
Seoul under the command of Rear Adm. John Rodgers. The ships of the 
Navy's Asiatic Squadron consisted of the frigate USS Colorado, 
corvettes USS Alaska and USS Benicia, and gunboats Monacacy and 
Palos. Embarked was the American Minister to China, Frederick Low, 
who hoped to obtain an apology for the firing incident and to 
negotiate trade and shipwreck conventions.

Due to the comparatively shallow waters of the Salee River, only the 
gunboats could advance to survey the approaches to Seoul. On I June 
1871, the Monacacy and Palos moved forward and were fired on. The 
Koreans then ignored an ultimatum from Rodgers and Low. Consequently, 
on the 1 Oth and the 11 th, a punitive landing party of mostly 
Marines was placed ashore to storm and destroy the Korean forts. 
Backed by cannon fire from the gunboats, the Marines overwhelmed 
defenders at the first three forts. Marines encountered the fiercest 
resistance while attacking the Kwangsong citadel, which was perched 
atop a 150-foot hill. After hauling howitzers into ideal firing 
positions, the Marines isolated the bastion from reinforcements. They 
then scaled the wall and engaged the Korean defenders in hand-to-hand 
combat. Armed with superior weapons, Marines pushed their attack 
forward to capture the bastion-killing 243 of the estimated 300 
defenders. Three Marines were killed, 10 were wounded, and two 
corporals were awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism.

Unfortunately, this magnificent feat of arms did not achieve U.S. 
diplomatic and trade objectives. Realizing his forces were too weak 
to pursue any further military options, Rodgers withdrew on 3 July. 
Except for praise for the Marines, the press castigated the 
government for the conduct of the operation. One newspaper wrote, 
"They sent a force altogether too large for the delivery of the 
message of peace and too small for the prosecution of war." However, 
in the Navy's defense, the drastic reductions from the 600-ship fleet 
of the Civil War clearly limited its strategic options.

Korea halted hostile actions against Americans, but it would be 
Japan, not the United States, that opened Korea diplomatically in 
1876 with the Treaty of Kangwha. The United States eventually became 
the first western power to have a treaty with Korea, with an accord 
dated 22 May 1882.

Sources: David F. Long, Gold Braid and Foreign Relations: Diplomatic 
Activities of U.S. Naval Officers, 1798-1883 (Naval Institute Press, 
1988) and Marine Amphibious Landing in Korea, 1871 (Naval Historical 
Foundation, 1966). The latter contains the detailed correspondence of 
Capt. McLain Tilton, USMC, and illustrations of the expedition.

[Author note]
By DAVID F. WINKLER
Dr. David F Winkler is a historian for the Naval Historical Foundation.

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Frank Hoffmann * 4903 Manitoba Dr.#202 * Alexandria, VA 22312 * USA
E-MAIL: hoffmann at fas.harvard.edu  *  Fax: (520) 438-4890
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