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The Pig War - by Jeffrey A. Thomas
The Pig War
by Jeffrey A. Thomas
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THE PIG WAR – AN ALTERNATE HISTORY
FORT BELLINGHAM
WASHINGTON TERRITORY
JUNE 19
Major George Pickett, 9th Infantry put the letter down. It was a petition signed by all twenty-five Americans on San Juan Island. They reported that one of their number at been arrested on trumped up charges and taken to Victoria to stand trial. A British warship had landed troops on the island. The Americans were demanding protection. He glanced at the young naval officer sitting in his office with him, then at his aide.
The problem was that the British refused to concede that the island was American territory. The Treaty of Oregon specified that the boundary was "The middle of the channel that separates the continent from Vancouver's Island." The larger and obvious channel was Haro straight, to the west of the Island. But the British insisted that it was the smaller Rosario Straight to the east of the Island. Now perhaps the issue would be settled.
"Who else has seen this?"
"No one, Sir." Said Lt. James Forsyth, his aid. "However there are a lot of rumors floating around. And the mail packet has already gone south. "
"Well we may have to be ready to take some kind of action." He looked again at the naval officer, "If we have to land troops, what do the British have in area of this dispute to oppose us? Give me a complete run down."
"Yes sir. They have two steam frigates the Tribune and Plyadies, each with thirty-one guns. The corvette Satellite, twenty-one guns, and the gunboat Plumper, twelve guns. Lastly there is an old third rate ship of the line, HMS Ganges. She mounts about seventy-five guns. Total of about two thousand men, although only about four hundred are marines capable of fighting on land. "
"What can we match them with?"
"USS Massachusetts is the only warship in Puget Sound at this time."
"Um twelve guns?"
"Thirteen, we've added a pivot gun forward."
"James, what can we oppose the marines with?"
"Companies D and H of the ninth. About two hundred men."
"Long odds, but as they say no glory in fighting when you have the enemy outnumbered. Prepare to send a relief expedition out to San Juan. Can't have them arresting citizens on our own land can we."
The two men jumped up, saluted and left with a chorus of "Yes sirs"
The dapper Virginian began composing a letter to General Harney in Fort Steilacoom, forwarding the letter from San Juan Island and outlining his intention to move his troops. He also requested reinforcements, both land and navy. Perhaps now he would have something more important to do than sit in a Godforsaken fort at the end of the world.
FORT STELIACOOM
WASHINGTON TERRITORY
General William Selby Harney looked up from Pickett's letter. It was several days old, and numerous rumors had preceded it. People were saying that several Americans had been arrested and taken to Victoria, and their homes burned. It seemed that there was a bit of truth to the rumors.
"Pleasonton!" he bellowed. "Get your ass in here!"
Captain Alfred Pleasonton, Harney's aid rushed in a saluted. Stood stiffly at attention, wondering what abuse he was about to be subjected to now.
"Sir."
Harney was a big man, over six feet tall, with blue eyes, red complexion, red hair (although starting to gray) and a temper to match. He had a full, unruly beard. Pleasonton, in contrast was small, and fair. Like many who knew him he hated and feared the General.
"I'm going to be calling for reinforcements to deal with this situation up on San Juan. I need to know what I'm up against. "
"Sir."
Pleasonton stood at attention, trying to figure out what was expected of him.
"It says here that this ship Ganges has seventy-two or maybe seventy-four or maybe eight-four guns."
"Yes sir."
"Well, which is it?"
"I'm not sure, I'm not a navy man, sir."
"I'm asking the navy to send up ships from Astoria and I have to tell them what I need. Go find out about this ship now!"
"Sir."
Pleasonton turned and marched out, "I'll write the British admiral and have him clarify that for you," he thought as he left the room.
Harney got back to work. This mess had gone on long enough, and he for one wasn't going to let those damned British push him around for one more second. He wrote out an order confirming the transfer of Pickett to San Juan, then set about marshalling reinforcements.
ABOARD SS JULIA
The little mail ship chugged through the narrow passages of the San Juan Islands at four knots, its stern wheel thrashing the water into white foam. Astern the Massachusetts plodded along in its wake. Ahead, the little revenue cutter Jefferson Davis led the way, maneuvering around the rocky hazards. It was late afternoon and they were nearing San Juan Island itself and the planned landing area. The shores were mostly deserted, covered with thick stands of timber.
Sergeants moved among the men, making the preparations. Pickett nodded in satisfaction. His men were ready. He had nearly two hundred embarked on the three ships, plus four cannon to be taken ashore, as well as ammunition, food, tents, and the hundreds of other items needed to establish a post. The ships rounded a bend and he could see the shores of San Juan Island ahead.
Ashore Griffin watched from a safe distance as the ships stopped offshore. Long boats were dropped to the water and supplies loaded. He could see cannon being brought ashore. Clearly the Americans were here to stay. He turned and scurried home, where he dashed off a note to Governor Douglas.
Copyright © 2003 by Jeffrey A. Thomas
Please send comments to Jeffrey A. Thomas at:
sneakythomas@hotmail.com
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