The Battle of Ganghwa was fought during the conflict between Korea

Korea

Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...

 and the United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 in 1871. In May, an expedition of five Asiatic Squadron

Asiatic Squadron

The Asiatic Squadron was a squadron of United States Navy warships stationed in East Asia during the latter half of the 19th century, it was created in 1868 when the East India Squadron was disbanded...

 warships set sail from Japan

Japan

Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...

 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

General Sherman Incident

The General Sherman Incident was the destruction of an armed merchant marine side-wheel steamer that visited Korea in 1866. It was an important catalyst to the end of Korean isolationism in the 19th century...

. When American forces arrived in Korea, the originally peaceful mission turned into an armed invasion. The battle to capture Ganghwa Island

Ganghwa Island

Ganghwa Island is an island in the estuary of the Han River, on the west coast of South Korea. Ganghwa Island is separated from Gimpo, on the mainland, by a narrow channel, which is spanned by two bridges. The main channel of the Han River separates the island from Gaeseong in North Korea.About...

's forts was the largest engagement of the conflict.

Background

The United States Navy

United States Navy

The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...

 expedition involved over 1,400 personnel, 542 sailor

Sailor

A sailor, mariner, or seaman is a person who navigates water-borne vessels or assists in their operation, maintenance, or service. The term can apply to professional mariners, military personnel, and recreational sailors as well as a plethora of other uses...

s, 109 marines

United States Marine Corps

The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...

 and six 12-pounder howitzer

Howitzer

A howitzer is a type of artillery piece characterized by a relatively short barrel and the use of comparatively small propellant charges to propel projectiles at relatively high trajectories, with a steep angle of descent...

s made up the landing party. Frigate

Frigate

A frigate is any of several types of warship, the term having been used for ships of various sizes and roles over the last few centuries.In the 17th century, the term was used for any warship built for speed and maneuverability, the description often used being "frigate-built"...

 USS Colorado

USS Colorado (1856)

The first USS Colorado — a -class, three-masted steam screw frigate — was launched on 19 June 1856 by the Norfolk Navy Yard. It was sponsored by Ms. N. S. Dornin, and commissioned on 13 March 1858, Captain W. H...

, the sloops

Sloop-of-war

In the 18th and most of the 19th centuries, a sloop-of-war was a warship with a single gun deck that carried up to eighteen guns. As the rating system covered all vessels with 20 guns and above, this meant that the term sloop-of-war actually encompassed all the unrated combat vessels including the...

 USS Alaska

USS Alaska (1868)

The first USS Alaska was a wooden-hulled screw sloop of war, built at the Boston Navy Yard. The ship was launched on 31 October 1868 and sponsored by Miss Grace Hull, the daughter of Mayor Hull of Boston. Alaska was commissioned on 8 December 1869, with Commander Homer C...

 and USS Benicia

USS Benicia (1868)

USS Benicia was a screw sloop in the United States Navy during the late 19th century. She was named for Benicia, California.Benicia was launched 18 August 1868 by Portsmouth Navy Yard as Algoma; renamed Benicia 15 May 1869; and commissioned 1 December 1869, Commander S...

 and the gunboat

Gunboat

A gunboat is a naval watercraft designed for the express purpose of carrying one or more guns to bombard coastal targets, as opposed to those military craft designed for naval warfare, or for ferrying troops or supplies.-History:...

s USS Monocacy

USS Monocacy (1864)

-External links:*...

, and USS Palos

USS Palos (1865)

The first USS Palos was a 4th rate iron screw tug in the United States Navy during the late 19th century. She was named for Palos de la Frontera in Spain....

 were assigned to the operation, all together mounting 85 guns under the command of Rear Admiral

Rear Admiral

Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. It is generally regarded as the lowest of the "admiral" ranks, which are also sometimes referred to as "flag officers" or "flag ranks"...

 John Rodgers and Commander

Commander

Commander is a naval rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. Commander is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the armed forces, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Commander as a naval...

 Winfield Scott Schley

Winfield Scott Schley

Winfield Scott Schley was a rear admiral in the United States Navy and the hero of the Battle of Santiago Bay during the Spanish-American War.-Civil War:...

. 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, USS Palos was engaged

Bombardment of the Selee River Forts

The Bombardment of the Selee River Forts, or the Bombardment of Ganghwa, was the result of a Korean attack on two United States Navy warships supporting the Korean Expedition in 1871. The incident broke down relations between Korea and the United States diplomatic expedition sent to establish trade...

 by one of the forts so the Palos and USS Monocacy returned fired and silenced it. Rear Admiral Rodgers demanded an apology but none came so nine days later, the expedition attacked in force.

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

Lieutenant

A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...

 Hugh McKee

Hugh McKee

Hugh Wilson McKee was an American naval officer in the 1870s who participated in the United States expedition to Korea in 1871.-Early life and military service:...

 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

Corporal

Corporal is a rank in use in some form by most militaries and by some police forces or other uniformed organizations. It is usually equivalent to NATO Rank Code OR-4....

 Charles Brown

Charles Brown (Medal of Honor)

Corporal Charles Brown received the United States's highest honor for bravery, the Medal of Honor. Corporal Brown was a United States Marine and was born in New York City. He enlisted in Hong Kong in 1870. The tracking number for his Medal of Honor is No.: 169, and is dated 8 February 1872.-Medal...

 captured a large sujagi

Sujagi

The Sujagi is a flag with a Chinese character, pronounced su in Korean, that denotes a commanding general. The whole term literally means, "Commanding general character flag". Only one sujagi is known to exist in Korea. The color is a faded yellowish-brown background with a black character in...

, for this he received the Medal of Honor

Medal of Honor

The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...

. Under heavy fire, Carpenter

Carpenter

A carpenter is a skilled craftsperson who works with timber to construct, install and maintain buildings, furniture, and other objects. The work, known as carpentry, may involve manual labor and work outdoors....

 Cyrus Hayden

Cyrus Hayden

Cyrus Hayden was a United States Navy sailor received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Korean Expedition on June 11, 1871. While serving as the color bearer for the 's crew and Marines, Hayden planted the American Flag on the ramparts under heavy enemy fire.-Medal of Honor...

 planted the American flag on top of the Korean fort, an act which earned him the medal as well. Private

Private (rank)

A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank .In modern military parlance, 'Private' is shortened to 'Pte' in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries and to 'Pvt.' in the United States.Notably both Sir Fitzroy MacLean and Enoch Powell are examples of, rare, rapid career...

 James Dougherty

James Dougherty (Medal of Honor)

James Dougherty was a U.S. Marine in the 1871 Korean Campaign. He received the Medal of Honor for actions during the Korean Expedition, while serving as a private aboard . His Medal of Honor was issued on February 8, 1872...

 personally shot and killed the Korean commander General

General

A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....

 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.

Though the battle was a victory for American forces, the Koreans refused to begin trading with the United States. It was not until 1882 when a trade treaty was finally signed.

Gallery

File:Point Du Conde, Gonghwa Island, 1871.jpg|Point Du Conde under attack during the battle.
File:Ganghwa 3-edit.jpg|American servicemen after capturing Fort Deokjin (Fort Monocacy) on June 10.
File:Koreans who died in fighting in Gwanseong Garrison, 1871.jpg|Korean casualties, after the attack on Fort Sondolmok (Fort McKee).