The above painting captures a typical Fourth of July celebration at American Camp during the peaceful joint occupation of San Juan Island c. 1868. The two garrisons regularly exchanged visits en masse during which they participated in athletic contests, enjoyed food and drink and the companionship that comes from sharing a common language far from home.
Did You Know?
First Lieutenant James W. Forsyth was Capt. George E. Pickett's second in command on San Juan Island. Forsyth would become a brigadier general in the Civil War and go on to command the 7th Cavalry at the Battle of Wounded Knee Creek in 1890.