The Pig War: Almost a Conflict Over a Swine

 

The Pig War: Almost a Conflict Over a Swine

Story: In 1859, a bizarre incident on San Juan Island, located between Vancouver Island (British territory) and the U.S. mainland, almost triggered a full-scale war between the United States and Great Britain. The island's ownership had been disputed for years, with both nations claiming it. The primary inhabitants were a small number of American settlers and the British Hudson's Bay Company. On June 15, 1859, an American farmer named Lyman Cutlar discovered a large black pig rooting through his potato patch and eating his crops. Annoyed, Cutlar shot and killed the pig.

It turned out the pig belonged to an Irishman named Charles Griffin, who was employed by the Hudson's Bay Company and owned several pigs on the island. Griffin was furious and confronted Cutlar, demanding compensation. When Cutlar offered $10, Griffin demanded $100, a sum Cutlar refused, claiming the pig was trespassing. The dispute quickly escalated beyond a simple pig. Cutlar reported the incident to the U.S. military, which dispatched Captain George Pickett (later famous for "Pickett's Charge" in the U.S. Civil War) and his company of soldiers to protect American settlers. The British, in turn, sent warships to defend their interests. For weeks, both sides amassed troops and cannons, facing each other down across a narrow strait. Cooler heads eventually prevailed. Higher authorities on both sides were appalled by the potential for war over such a trivial matter. Through diplomatic efforts, including the intervention of General Winfield Scott for the U.S., a peaceful resolution was found, and the island's ownership was eventually settled years later through international arbitration. The "Pig War" remains a peculiar footnote in the history of international relations, a testament to how quickly tensions can escalate and how surprisingly minor events can almost lead to major conflicts.

• Date: June 15, 1859 (incident occurred)
• Key Characters: Lyman Cutlar, Charles Griffin, Captain George Pickett, General Winfield Scott
• Historical Reference: Scott, Winfield. Memoirs of Lieut.-General Scott, LL.D. (1864); official U.S. and British diplomatic correspondence regarding the San Juan Boundary Dispute.