United States expedition to Korea

Template:Koreanname Shinmiyangyo (lit. Western Disturbance of the Year Sinmi), known in the United States as the Korean Expedition, was the first American military action in Korea. It took place in 1871, predominantly on and around the Korean island of Ganghwa. The main reasons for the presence of American soldiers in Korea were US intentions to establish trade and diplomatic relations; set up an agreement to protect shipwrecked seamen; and to ascertain what had happened in the General Sherman Incident in 1866 (when a US ship had sailed up the Taedong River, plundering the coastal area, killing local inhabitants, and kidnapping a military officer on the way. Angered Koreans consequently attacked and burnt the ship to ashes).

The conservative nature of the Korean government during the Joseon Dynasty resulted in many external and internal problems and conflicts. During the 19th century, Christianity had been introduced to Korea. When this growth was consequently seen as dangerous and destabilising, French Catholic Missionaries and their followers were massacred, as a result of which the French navy launched an attack on Ganghwa Island in 1866 (which was defeated).

The landing forces in 1871 consisted of about 650 men (over 500 sailors and 100 Marines), on five ships: USS Colorado., USS Alaska, USS Palos, USS Monocry, and USS Benicia. They were led by Frederick F. Low, the US minister in Peking, and Rear Admiral John Rodgers. The Korean forces, known as "Tiger Hunters," were led by Eo Jae-yeon. The US had Remington rolling block carbines (.50-45), the Marines had Springfield muskets and Navy Plymouths; the Koreans had matchlocks.

The Americans safely made contact with the Korean inhabitants, described as people wearing white clothes, and, when they inquired them about the General Sherman Incident, the Koreans were initially reluctant to discuss the topic, being afraid they would have to pay recompense. The Americans consequently let the Koreans know that their fleet would be exploring the area, but that they could expect no harm. However it seems this was misunderstood, and, when the US fleet first approached the Han River, a fortress opened fire. The policy at this time was to let no foreign ships pass the island into the Han River, for the river led directly to the Korean capital Hanyang (modern-day Seoul). Unfortunately, the cannons were poorly positioned such that the Koreans could not lower their aim, and most of the shots sailed over the ships. However, the effect was enough that the Americans retreated and planned an assault. On June 10th 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, dumping or spiking cannons and then moved on. This fort had previously been destroyed and rebuilt following the French incursions of 1866, and was later shelled again by the Japanese in 1876.

The Korean forces banded together as guerilla units but, armed with only matchlocks, and being kept in check by US artillery (12-pdr. howitzers on field carriages), they could not get within effective firing range. The US troops moved on toward the next objective, Deokjin Garrison (Fort Monocacy).

The Korean forces had, likewise, abandoned Deokjin, choosing to mass together further north. The Marines quickly dismantled this fortress, too, and as with Choji garrison, cannons were dumped and spiked, stores burned and so forth.

File:FortMcKee.jpg

Interior of Fort McKee, Korea, June 1871

Next, they went onward toward their main objective, Gwangseong Garrison (the Citadel). By that time, Korean forces had regrouped there en masse. 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, both from the ground forces and also from the USS Monocacy offshore, pounded the Citadel and the hill directly west of it, in preparation for an assault by US forces. The US forces, made up of nine companies of sailors and one company of Marines, grouped on the facing hill, keeping cover and firing at any defender who showed himself.

When a signal was given, firing stopped and the US forces charged toward the Citadel, with Lt. Hugh McKee in the lead. The Koreans fired as fast as they could, but the US forces gained ground before they could reload; the Koreans even ended up throwing rocks at the attackers. Lt. McKee was the first in the Citadel, with a sword in one hand and a revolver in the other. He was shot in the groin and speared in the side by Koreans inside. After him came Commander Schley, who shot and killed the Korean who speared Lt. McKee.

The fighting went on for only fifteen minutes or so, after which time all defenders had either been killed or captured, or had escaped. When defeat was inevitable, a hundred surviving defenders, including Eo, rushed to the river and killed themselves. In the end, about 350 Koreans and 3 Americans died, and 20 wounded Koreans were captured. The US hoped to use the captives as a bargaining chip to meet with Korean officials, but the Koreans refused, calling the captives cowards and telling the Americans they could keep them as chattel.

The Americans met stiff resistance when they attempted to continue up the Han River toward Hanyang, and Admiral Rodgers retreated to China on July 3rd.

The US lost diplomatically, as the Koreans refused to open up the country to them (and the US forces didn't have the authority or strength for occupation). In fact, these events led the regent Daewon-gun to strengthen his policy of isolation and issue a national proclamation against appeasing the barbarians. 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.

The next US military presence in Korea came at the end of WWII, in 1945; and the next military conflict in Korea, also involving the US, was the 1950-53 Korean War.

The Chemulpo Treaty

From April to May 1882 Korea and the United States negotiated and approved a 14 article treaty, which established mutual friendship and defense in case of attack, the ability of Koreans to emigrate 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 continued until Japan annexed Korea in 1910, continuing to control it until the end of World War II.

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. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
• Nahm, Andrew C. (1996). Korea: A history of the Korean people (2nd ed.). Seoul: Hollym. ISBN 1-56591-070-2. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)

See also

• History of Korea
• Military history of Korea
• Joseon Dynasty
• List of Korea-related topics

External links

• 1871 US Korea Campaign
• The early US-Korea relations - Excerpt from "A Brief History of the US-Korea Relations Prior to 1945"
• Gateway to Shimiyangyo