I've just returned from an extended weekend on San Juan Island, where we marked the 50th anniversary of the park--and 100th of the National Park Service--with a reenactment of the 1859 Pig War. Lasting from 1859/60-1872, the Pig War had one casualty (the pig), and a larger-than-usual* number of friendly sporting and festive interactions between the two factions. Basically, the English and American soldiers spent twelve years camping at each other.
*Among wars of similar duration.
Though the Americans ultimately gained/retained control of the island, the English certainly won for having a nicer camp location.
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| The wind-swept plain at American Camp. |
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| Verdant English Camp, on Garrison Bay, surrounded by trees. |
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HBC employees from Bellevue Farm played a key role in the
Pig War--or, at least, their pig did. |
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| Captain and Mrs. Mouat's excellent and comfortable arrangements. |
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| The best war re-enactments involve cricket games... |
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| ...with tea breaks. |
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Madame Peppan and the Royal Marines
gave the event an explosive conclusion. |
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