Allen, Seth A., LM

Other Memories
On June 10, 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 and its guns. (This same fort had previously been destroyed and rebuilt following the French incursions of 1866, and was later shelled again by the Japanese in 1876 in the events leading to the Treaty of Ganghwa.) The Korean forces banded together as guerilla units but, armed with only matchlocks, and kept in check by American 12 pound howitzers, were unable to get within effective firing range. The US troops moved on toward the next objective, Deokjin Garrison (Fort Monocacy). Korean forces abandoned Deokjin and began massing further to the north. The Marines quickly dismantled this fortress in the same fashion as they had the Choji one. American forces continued to Gwangseong Garrison (the Citadel). By this time, Korean forces had regrouped there. 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 from both ground and USS Monocacy and the other four ships offshore pounded the Citadel and the hill directly west of it, in preparation for an assault by US forces. The US troops of nine companies of sailors and one company of Marines grouped on the facing hill, keeping cover and returning fire. Once the bombardments stopped, the Americans charged the Citadel, led by Lt. Hugh McKee. The slow reload time of the Korean matchlock rifles allowed the Americans, who were armed with superior Remington rolling block carbines, to make it over the walls; the Koreans even ended up throwing rocks at the attackers. Lt. McKee, the first to make it into the Citadel, was shot in the groin and speared in the side. After him came Commander Schley, avenging his comrade[4]. The flag of the Korean commander, General Eo Jae-yeon, which is called the Sujagi by Koreans, was captured by Corporal Charles Brown of the USS Colorado's guard and Private Hugh Purvis of the USS Alaska's guard.[5] General Eo was killed by Private James Dougherty. [6] The fighting lasted fifteen minutes. In the end, about 350 Koreans and three Americans died (the American casualties were Lt. McKee, Ordinary Seaman Seth Allen, and USMC Pvt. Denis Hanrahan[7]), nine Americans were wounded, and 20 wounded Koreans were captured.[8] The Korean deputy commander was among the wounded who were captured.[9] The US hoped to use the captives as a bargaining chip to meet with local officials, but the Koreans refused, calling the captives cowards and telling the Americans they could keep them as chattel.[citation needed] The Americans met stiff resistance when they made a second attempt to continue up the Han River toward Hanyang (present-day Seoul), and headed for China on July 3rd.[10] [edit] Aftermath The US diplomatically was not able achieve its objectives, as the Koreans refused to open up the country to them (and the US forces did not have the authority or strength to press further). In fact, these events led the regent Daewon-gun to strengthen his policy of isolation and issue a national proclamation against appeasing foreigners.[11] 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. Nine sailors and six Marines were awarded the Medal of Honor, the first for actions in a foreign conflict.