Posted by DadGum on April 16, 2002 at 11:59:42:
In Reply to: Re: Udo posted by JJ on April 16, 2002 at 00:24:16:
During the 1871 weekend war in Korea, fierce 'Tiger Hunters' defended the Hermit Kingdom to the bitter end, earning the respect of hardened U.S. Marines and sailors.
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 muzz1e-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 F. Low reported, 'The Koreans fought with desperation, rarely equaled and never excelled by any people.'
Because of poor Korean marksmanship, American casualties were relatively light. 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.