Steilacoom Empties Its Garrison for a Near-War on San Juan Island
On Aug. 9, 1859, soldiers and two brass cannon left Steilacoom aboard the steamer Julia to reinforce Capt. Pickett’s tiny command, as the U.S. and Britain edged toward war over a boundary and a pig.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
On Tuesday last, the 9th inst., at noon, Steilacoom was the scene of quite an excitement, caused by the departure of the troops at this station for the island of San Juan, in pursuance of orders from Gen. Harney. Col. Casey left Steilacoom that day with the troops under his command for San Juan (or Bellevue) Island; Capt. Pickett’s small force of some thirty men being deemed insufficient to hold possession in the event of an attempt by the British to drive them off. Companies A, C, and H, under Captains Mahoney, Hunt and English, and Lieuts. Kellogg and Connor, all under command of Lieut. Col. Casey, went on board the steamer Julia at about noon, taking with them two heavy brass field pieces and a large quantity of ammunition. The whole force numbered about 150 men, leaving here a simple guard of about twenty in the fort and about thirty more in the barracks and guard house. This will reinforce San Juan Island to some 900 men.
By the steamer Julia, which arrived at this place this morning at an early hour, we have Victoria papers and the British Colonist of the 8th to 11th inclusive, for which we are indebted to the purser. We condense the following from letters published in the Colonist, dated San Juan, Aug. 8th and 9th: Notwithstanding the very frequent arrivals and departures of men-of-war from and to Victoria, with dispatches to the commanding officer, no definite or extreme measures have thus far been adopted, and I am pleased to learn that all intercourse between Captains Pickett and Hornby has been marked by the most courteous and friendly feelings. The American officers speak in the highest terms of Capt. Hornby and his brother officers, and attribute the continued harmony to the discreet and able manner in which he has discharged the duties devolving upon him. It is generally understood that Governor Douglas has it in his power to precipitate or involve in war by the course which he may pursue. Capt. Pickett is, of course, acting under the orders of a superior—it is uncertain whether that superior be Gen. Scott or the Secretary of War.
“Steilacoom was the scene of quite an excitement, caused by the departure of the troops at this Station for the island of San Juan.”
The Pig War is often remembered as the boundary dispute that began with a pig, but it was a serious military standoff. Steilacoom’s garrison was stripped to reinforce a remote island, showing how national politics could empty a small town overnight. Today the San Juan Islands are a peaceful border region, but the episode remains a reminder of how quickly local places can become pawns in larger disputes.
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