본고는 1597년 정유재란 당시 이순신이 백의종군의 왕명을 받고 의금부에서 출옥한 후 三道水軍統制使로 재임명될 때까지 대략 4개월간의 행적을 살펴보고자 한다. 이 과정을 통해 백의종군 신분의 이순신의 위치와 역할에 대해 이해함은 물론 조선시대 백의종군의 역사적 개념과 의미에 대해서도 구체적으로 규명해보고자 한다. 이를 위해 관련 사료의 분석과 아울러 현지답사를 병행함으로써 가능한 실증적 연구에 접근하고자 하였다. 사료는 이순신의 『亂中日記』를 비롯한 개인저술 및 관찬사료 등을 중심으로 살펴보고자 한다. 그리고 현지답사를 통해 고문헌에 등장하는 지역과 현재 지명의·지형거리 등을 비교 유추함으로써 가능한 실제에 접근한 이해를 도출하고자 하였다.

This study examined the locations and role of Admiral Yi, Sun Shin by analyzing his whereabouts during the period between when he was ordered to serve in the war as an enlisted man and when he was reappointed as the commander of the three naval forces. This study also examined the historical concept and meaning of serving in the war as an enlisted man. Serving in the war as an enlisted man is used to give the public officer who disobeyed the command or was defeated in the war an opportunity to atone for his wrong by making a contribution in the war without any government post instead of suspending punishment. In particular, under the extremely unfavorable condition lacking in military forces as in the early period of Japanese Invasion in 1592, this measure was taken intensively. In case of peace time, it was extremely rare, which can be found only in few of those who threatened King`s position or were involved in a plot of treason. While serving as an enlisted man, Admiral Yi, Sun Shin was assigned to a direct commander and played as a advisory committee in the headquarters. In addition, he managed a garrison farm and military horses. He also established strategies and commanded the army in the warfield.