Battle of Utsunomiya Castle (1868, Boshin War)

Overview

From the 19th day of the 4th month of Keiō 4 (May 11, 1868) to the 23rd day (May 15), the former shogunate army and the Imperial Army fought twice over Utsunomiya Castle in Shimotsuke Province. The commanders were Ōtori Keisuke (main force) and Hijikata Toshizō (flanking column) for the former shogunate army, and Kagawa Keizō for the Imperial Army (the Tōsandō Governor-General's force).

The First Assault (4th Month, 19th Day)

The former shogunate army won and occupied Utsunomiya Castle. Hijikata Toshizō's flanking column came around by back roads, and the Imperial side fought at Sunada and Yanase before falling back to the castle. The former shogunate army burned much of the castle town, and Ōtori Keisuke's main force entered the castle the next day. The former shogunate army numbered about 2,000 men, including the Denshūtai.

The Fighting toward Mibu (4th Month, 22nd Day)

The former shogunate army attacked the Imperial Army in the direction of Yasuzuka in Mibu, but was driven back by a counterattack by troops of the Tottori Domain and others, together with heavy rain, and returned to Utsunomiya.

The Second Assault (4th Month, 23rd Day)

The Imperial Army attacked, with units under Ijichi, Ōyama, Arima, Nozu and others, joined by Tottori troops. Hijikata was wounded, and the former shogunate army withdrew toward Nikkō. The Imperial Army recaptured the castle and handed it over to Toda Sanzaemon, a senior retainer of the Utsunomiya Domain.

Damage

The Ninomaru palace, Futarasan Shrine, many samurai residences in the castle town, and several dozen temples were lost to fire.