Battle of Sacheon (1598, Keichō Campaign)
October 18–30, 1598 (Keichō 3, 9th month, 19th day – 10th month, 1st day)
Sacheon, Gyeongsang Province, Korea (Sacheon New Castle)
- Date
- October 18–30, 1598 (Keichō 3, 9th month, 19th day – 10th month, 1st day)
- Location
- Sacheon, Gyeongsang Province, Korea (Sacheon New Castle)
- Result
- Victory for the Shimazu army. With the central column beaten, the western and eastern columns also gave up their offensive and the four-route plan failed. The Shimazu house received an increase in its domain.
Forces
Japanese army
Allied Ming and Joseon army
About 3 min read
Overview
From the 19th day of the 9th month to the 1st day of the 10th month of Keichō 3 (October 18–30, 1598), the Japanese army under Shimazu Yoshihiro and the allied Ming and Joseon army under Dong Yiyuan fought at Sacheon in Gyeongsang Province, Korea. The Japanese won, and the allies' four-route advance plan failed.
The Struggle for Sacheon Old Castle
The allies first attacked Sacheon Old Castle. Its commander, Kawakami Tadazane, broke out of the encirclement and fell back to Sacheon New Castle, but his losses were heavy. The Japanese then burned the enemy's food stores, leaving the allies short of supplies. The allies decided to launch a general assault on the new castle on the 1st day of the 10th month.
The Decisive Battle at the New Castle
The Japanese side numbered about 8,000 (about 15,000 including non-combatants) and the allies about 30,000 (about 26,800 Ming troops and about 2,215 Joseon troops). In the decisive battle the Japanese defended with muskets, land mines and cannon loaded with iron fragments. When the Ming side's gunpowder exploded by accident and caused confusion, the Shimazu troops opened the castle gate and sallied out. Ambushers joined in, and the allies fled, with many drowning in the Nam River. The number of allied dead differs depending on the source.
Result
The battle ended in a Shimazu victory. With the central column defeated, the western and eastern columns also gave up their offensive, and the four-route advance plan failed. The Shimazu house received an increase in its domain.