The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1890-12-27
CAPTURE OF SAN JUAN.
How General Harncy Defied a Larg
r1eet of British Men-of-var.

How General Hnrney Dehed n Large
sTeet of British Men-of-war.
Intelligence comes OF the destruction
by fire of the old historic town Of San
Juan, in Puget Sound. The town, as
stated in the dispatches, was unoccu-
pied, having reached its glory when gar
risoned by the American troops, and
where, on the Fourth of July, 1859, Nc
Ray and Oaks hoisted the Stars and
Stripes and demanded from General
Harney the protection of the United
States. 1t is we'll known that the gal
liant Harnoy thcreupon took military
possession of the island, at the very
time when commissioners were engaged
in running the boundary line between
the United States and Great Britain, but
, had differed as to which country it be-
longed. General Hanrey promptly set
tied the dispute by taking occupation in
behalf of the United States, which rem
dered collision almost certain between
the two powers. But John Bull was
frightened away by TIE tactics and lit
| tie strategem of General Harney. Some
| four or five years before his death the
General gave to the writer the partic-
ulars of an abortive attempt made by
the British to capture the town from
him. He said that early one beauti-
full morning he was looking over the
bay, when he deserted large fleet OF
boats advancing in regular order, and
filled with British troops whose arms
flashed in the brilliant rising sun. The
General Immediately OWNED their OBJ
ject and determined to hold the place
against all odds. AS the British
force was superior in numbers it
was resolved to await the first fire
from the British, and with few pieces
of artillery, if the alternative came, he
would blow the whole fleet out of the
water. Not having, as intimated, but
few troops, he placed them to the best
advantage in order to deceive the enemy
as to his strength. The men were
drawn up in front and stationed behind
trees and bushes, with orders to change
positions Occasionally by rnning from
J tree t5Sree, so that each geo and bush
5Tppeared to tho approaching MEN in boats
as cover to the sharp-shooters. Atthe
same time loud orders were heard re-
sounding in the woods. as il large rein.
! lOrcemenU was nelQ Dach IN inc rear u
reserves.
The British commander. on seeing the
Preparations made to receive him, very
prudently resolved on n retreat, and
without attempting to effect landing
the proud flotilla of the morning which
came up so defiantly, after making n lit
tie flourish in the harbor, beat its way
back very much discounted. AS the
action of Harney in taking possession
of San Juan endangered our peaceful
relations with Great Britain, President
Buchanan then sent General Winfield
Scott posting to the Pacific coast TO ac
as pacificator, and end what Harney hat
done. After exchanging q few courte
GUS notes with the British Government a
Victoria, the island was restored t
d its late neutral condition and placed il
Joint possession of the two Govern
ments. Harney never pardoned Scot
for interference in the matter and de
nounced him to the last He no doub
desired a brush with the naughty Briton
and believing also that it would have
tendency to arouse national feeliai
between the two sections and arrest o
at least postpone the pending civil war
st. Louis Post Dispatch.