The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-06-04


old Massachusetts,.
Pickett, turning to the writer, saia'
Summons your men and take the NH.
Fire one-third at a time at close range:
As you Are wheel your men to the lett ana
join me at the road. We will make Bun
ker Hill of it. I will not leave you ana
don't be afraid of their big guns"
In less than fifteen minutes we were IN
I line six PAGES apart on the hill, every
settler volunteering-Pickett's forces in the
edge of the timber. The whistling com
mands, lowering boats and rushing OF
men on the Tribune threatened a charge
of over 1000 against cur small forces un-
der the cover of heavy cannonading at
any moment, but the smn gradually went
down and no one was hurt. Orders came
at dark to come down to camp, when
we at once moved over to the sand
hills Now, being less exposed to mus
kerry in the sandy pits and entirely out of
range Of heavy guns, the situation was
very agreeable compared to the day be-
fore. A sentry paced the brow of the hill
all the next day to signal the anticipated
landing of LOO troops. The British
officers certainly used much discretion
and forbearance to save the heavy slaugh-
had they landed their forces, for I am
satisfied that no capitulation or surrender
could be forced on our then captain. now
lamented Major-General George. E.
Pickett, of the Confederate army.
Pickett had great respect for his men.
On one occasion his sentry saluted several
British officers. while passing, which salute
was not returned. He Immediately Or
h ,l,,{o ha OFF on
their return" and eff not responded to
fire on them" But Commissioner Camp
bell fortunately persuaded him to counter
mand the order.
On the morning of the third day after
the threatened landing of her majesty's
troops, about sunrise, the hills to the east
of our camp suddenly were dotted with
blue coats and brass buttons, which we
recognized as the reinforcement. Cheers
went up from the camp. responded to on
the hills. General rejoicing followed. and
several field pieces were soon placed on
the circle of the hill facing the British
fleet. About noon Colonel Casey arrived
in camp. On presenting myself to him
he said: 1--WE anticipate collision with
the British today, but I hope it may be
avoided. When you hear the first gun
[pointing to one saddled] and ride with
me. l want to know the retreating
grounds" We had now at least half as
many men as the British, with field pieces
on the hill and every advantage for ade-
termined resistance, if not victory. Yet
we were to be frightened into a retreat.
Things looked very different since Pickett
had been superseded in command, and
v,bo 90 cd ho
British forces would have been allowed to
land unmolested, for little fever and ague
had struck the new officers now in COM
mand. As soon as news of the threatened
landing reached headquarters the writer
was instructed to enforce the United
States revenue laws regardless of the
Hudson Bay Company or British officials,
and all vessels were boarded, their man.
ifest examined, and duty imposed on all
goods coming from British ports.
Captain John Scranton was mail agent,
and seemed to run the whole steamboat
business. On one occasion Scranton, For
syth, Scott and Major de Coursy came on
steamer with goods purchased at Vic
toria, which caused quite commotion.
Duty was demanded, and refusal to pay was
the consequence. Forsyth being second lieu
L
to land his personal effects and SO was
Scranton a horse and Scott his traps.
Major de Coursv. being the British mag
istrate, declared he would land his under
the cover of British guns. and waved to
the Satellite, which sent boats crew
with first lieutenant of said ship. His
goods were taken to the Satellite. The
lieutenant first asking with much cour-
do syyfo ont1IH ho
landed, which request was promptly re-
fused. Considerable whistling took place
on the Satellite, and stamping of feet by
United States officers. to whom we must
have unavoidably looked to for assistance
should the magistrate have attempted to
land his goods without paying the duty
On going ashore found the surroundings
very shaky, and Pickett was the only
officer who commanded my action, but
he was not in command.
A special dinner was ordered for our
benefit, after which Scranton stated that
orders from Casey were that De Coursys
goods should be landed and guard at the
wharf would be placed to see that he was
not molested. Whereupon the writer or
dered his boatrnan to pull him to the
Satellite, where he was received by Captain
Provost with that respect that has ever
marked him as kind and courteous gen.
tleman and noble officer.
We stated to him our object on board,
which was to give De Coursy permission
to go ashore with his goods. and We would
report the action of the United States
troops for not sustaining us in enforcing
the United States customs. De Coursy
was insolent and wanted no favors. Cap
tain Provost at once reprimanded him and
ordered him out of the cabin. We then
showed Captain Provost our instructions.
He said: "You have acted just as should
have done were l in your position, but it
gives me much pleasure to learn from you
that De Coursy's things will not be mo-
Tested, and he has your consent" After
some refreshments with the captain and
look around the ship, we parted, fully i'm
pressed with the kind treatment Of an
amiable man. On landing found the Off
Ger of the day. We asked him his bust
ness, which he said was "to see that De
Coursy's things came all right
No dIsrespect has ever been shown to
Captain Provost, of the Satellite, nor Cap
tain Richards, of the Piumper. They were
gentlemen and officers worthy of emula-
ton. and We have to thank Captain
Richards for his prompt response in
sending two boats crews on our soIicita-
ton after four Northern war canoes, who
drove Joe Foster and party in the brush
on Orcas island, killing one man, and who
gave US chase after his rescue fail and
winter, rapid, stern chase TO within mile
of the Plumper. 1t is not our object in