Standard munitions for Joseon Infantry.

Joseon Bo-byeong Troop Numbers.

Hello Again. It's been quite a while since i last posted, so here is a quick documentation of Early Joseon battalion numbers.

And what better way is it to find out, then to delve into the annals of Munjeong (1450-52) himself? 

all credits to CJ ENTERTAINMENT

Garrison Numbers:

문종실록 5권, 문종 1년 1월 18일 무오 6번째기사 1451년 명 경태(景泰) 2년

Translated from the: Munjong Sillok Book 5, First year of Munjeong, 18th of January, 16th article:

["Sir, In Gyeonggi province: there are 386 cavalrymen and 1,854 Infantrymen. In Chungcheon province: there are 1,660 cavalrymen and 2,290 Infantry men. In Jeolla province: there are 3,900 cavalrymen and 3,220 Infantrymen. In Gyeonsang province: there are 2,736 cavalrymen and 5,920 Infantrymen. In the isle of Ganwon: there are 174 cavalrymen and 456 infantrymen. In Hwanghae province: 360 cavalrymen and 580 infantrymen. In total, there are about 23,486 Jeong-gun stationed in various provinces."

And so said the King:

"Divide the former variants of the army in Cavalrymen and Infantrymen respectively"

And so it was done.]

If that was some what hard to read, here is a dot point list grouping the garrison to various provinces.

• Gyeonggi, Area surrounding the capital, Suwon/Seoul: 386 C/ 1,854 I

• Chungcheon, South Western province under Geyonggi: 1,660 C/ 2,290 I

• Jeolla. The agricultural region right below Chungcheon: 3,900 C/ 3,220 I

• Gyeongsang, Southern east province closest to the Ashikaga shogunate: 2,376 C/ 5,920 I

• Ganwon, fortress island near the western coast of Suwon: 174C / 456 I

• Hwanghae, Province above Gyeonggi, closest to the Jurchen chiefdoms: 360C/ 580 I

In total 23,486 Jeong-Gun: 8,856 Cavalrymen and 14,320 Infantrymen. 

this does not account for the Jurchen tribes living under the jurisdiction of Korean administration and does who are willing to fight for Korean copper or under treaties. (Not that they are willing to anyways.)

However

The available amount of forces does not properly indicate how much soldiers could be efficiently deployed in battle, as it does not account for the logistical capabilities of the Korean war machine.

Furthermore, it also doesn't give any predication to how much men are willing to become a "Righteous Militia" nor if the Seon Abbot is willing to call up arms. (Which they always did.)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Righteous_army

I would have loved to write much more on the equipments of the Joseon army itself for the namesake of the Blog, but i got even more assignments during the holidays. (yes, more dumb whinging.)

So Until next time and Thank you for reading.