Battle of Ganghwa

The Battle of Ganghwa was fought during the conflict between Joseon and the United States in 1871. In May, an expedition of five Asiatic Squadron warships set sail from Japan to Korea in order to establish trade relations, ensure the safety of shipwrecked sailors, and to find out what happened to the crew of the SS General Sherman. When American forces arrived in Korea, the originally peaceful mission turned into a battle when guns from a Korean fort suddenly opened fire on the Americans. The battle to capture Ganghwa Island's forts was the largest engagement of the conflict.

This article is about the American intervention in Korea in 1871. For the French military expedition in 1866, see French campaign against Korea. For the Japanese intervention in 1875, see Ganghwa Island incident.

Battle of Ganghwa
Part of the Korean Expedition
A map of the Corean Forts, Unknown author
Date June 10–11, 1871 Location Ganghwa Island Result American victory
Belligerents
United States	Korea
Commanders and leaders
John Rodgers Winfield Schley	Eo Jae-yeon †
Strength
651 6 howitzers 1 frigate 2 sloops-of-war 2 gunboats	300 40 artillery pieces 6 forts 4 shore batteries
Casualties and losses
3 killed 10 wounded 1 gunboat damaged	243 killed 20 captured 40 artillery pieces captured 5 forts destroyed 1 fort damaged 4 shore batteries destroyed

Background

The United States Navy expedition involved over 1,400 personnel, 542 sailors, 109 marines and six 12-pounder howitzers made up the landing party. Frigate USS Colorado, the sloops USS Alaska and USS Benicia and the gunboats USS Monocacy, and USS Palos were assigned to the operation, all together mounting 85 guns under the command of Rear Admiral John Rodgers and Commander Winfield Scott Schley. Korean forces included the six Selee River Forts, of various sizes, and four shore batteries with over 300 men and dozens of artillery pieces. While negotiations were going on at Inchon, on June 1, 1871, two of the U.S. vessels, the Palos and USS Monocacy, were tasked to reconnoiter the waters of the Han River estuary. Parts of Ganghwa Island and several of its forts faced the estuary. Foreign vessels were forbidden entrance to the Han River because the river's course provided direct access to Joseon's capital city of Hanyang (modern Seoul), which could potentially be fired upon by any armed foreign vessels. It is possible that the U.S. naval vessels were unaware of this fact. Joseon forces stationed on the island had orders to fire at foreign vessels that appeared to be readying to enter the Han, and so at the approach of the two American ships into controlled waters, the USS Palos was engaged by one of the forts; the Palos and USS Monocacy returned fire and silenced it. Rear Admiral Rodgers demanded an apology from the Joseon government and set a time limit of 10 days for receipt of the apology. None came, and so nine days later the U.S. expedition carried out Rogers' threat and assaulted Ganghwa Island.

Battle

The battle began on June 10, when the American squadron arrived of Point Du Conde and began bombarding the fort there. The shore party was landed by boats which immediately launched an attack on Fort Du Conde which was taken without serious resistance. Next, the Americans proceeded north a short distance where they captured Fort Monocacy, skirmishing with bodies of Korean troops along the way. After the fall of Fort Monocacy, the Americans rested for the night and became the first western military forces to camp on Korean soil. On June 11, the main engagement occurred, the five warships began bombarding the four remaining forts while the shore party attacked from land. About 300 Koreans, armed with matchlock rifles, swords, and clubs held Fort McKee which was the heart of Korean defenses. One by one the Americans led by Lieutenant Hugh McKee climbed over the fort's walls. Fierce close quarters combat ensued but it lasted only fifteen minutes until the fort was secure.

In the end, 243 Koreans were counted dead, twenty captured and a few wounded. Over forty cannons ranging from two to 24-pounders were also taken and within the next few days the forts were dismantled, with the exception of Fort Palos, on the other side of Ganghwa Straits. Corporal Charles Brown captured a large sujagi, for this he received the Medal of Honor. Under heavy fire, Carpenter Cyrus Hayden planted the American flag on top of the Korean fort, an act which earned him the medal as well. Private James Dougherty personally shot and killed the Korean commander General Eo Jae-yeon, he was also awarded the Medal of Honor along with six others. Only three Americans were killed and ten were wounded, USS Monocacy grounded on rocks off Fort McKee during the battle, she was re-floated and sustained only slight damage.

Although the battle was a victory for American forces, the Koreans refused to sign a trade treaty with the United States until 1882.

Gallery

• 
  A posed photograph of a council of war of United States Navy officers off Korea aboard the Asiatic Squadron flagship USS Colorado in preparation for the June 1871 United States expedition to Korea.
• 
  Officers of the USS Colorado..sitting at left front is Lt Hugh McKee.
• 
  American servicemen after capturing Fort Dŏkjin (Fort Monocacy) on June 10
• 
  Korean casualties, after the attack on Fort Sondolmok (Fort McKee)
• 
  Sujagi flag, captured at Fort McKee in the attacks on the Salee River Forts, June 10 and 11,
• 
  A "Corean" [sic] official bearing the first despatches on board the Colorado., 06/1871
• 
  Officers and crew of the USS Monocacy

See also

• Battle of Santiago de Cuba
• List of Medal of Honor recipients

References

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.

• Boot, Max (2002). The savage wars of peace : small wars and the rise of American power. New York: Basic Books. pp. 56–59. ISBN 9780465007202. OCLC 248251538.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)