Arrow War Ends: China Forced to Open Its Ports
109 Marines against five fortified Korean positions, and the whole thing was over in hours. Captain McLane Tilton led the assault on Ganghwa Island's Han River forts in 1871 after Korean gunners had fired on American survey ships — twice. The Koreans fought with spears and matchlock muskets against repeating rifles. Around 243 Koreans died. Three Americans. But here's the cut: the US fleet sailed away having won every battle and achieved nothing. Korea didn't open. The "hermit kingdom" stayed shut for another five years.
June 10, 1871
155 years ago
Key Figures & Places
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