Battle of Koshu-Katsunuma

• Bakufu loyalists Vs. Emperor loyalists
  • Date: 1868/3/6
  • Location: Katsunuma

The Shinsengumi returned to Edo after the Battle of Toba-Fushimi. Kondo Isami, the commander of Shinsengumi, visited Katsu Kaishu in Edo castle, where he received the order to take over Kofu castle to block the Imperial troops. Kondo recruited new members and reformed the Shinsengumi as the Koyo Chinbutai. 3/1, The Koyo Chinbutai took Koshu avenue to Katsunuma. They were welcomed in the towns on the way because the region was home of main Shinsengumi members included Kondo(who was using the alias Okubo Tsuyoshi), Hijikata(who was using the alias Naito Hayato). The welcome parties made them slow. As the result, the Kofu castle was occupied by the Imperial troops before they arrived. almost half of the Koyo Chinbutai members deserted before arriving at Katsunuma. They were defeated within 2 hours. Right before the battle, Hijikata alone went back to Hachioji to ask Nappatai which was the unit formed by Hatamoto for support. But the Nappatai ignored.