| Smallpox Blankets from the Siege of Fort Pitt | |
|---|---|
| |
|
Origin |
Jeffery Amherst/Siege of Fort Pitt |
|
Type |
Blankets |
|
Effects |
Gives user smallpox |
|
Downsides |
User can transfer the disease by giving away the blankets |
|
Activation |
Giving the blankets away |
|
Collected by |
Warehouse 13 agents |
|
Section |
|
|
Date of Collection |
March 31st, 1926 |
| [Source] | |
Origin[]
The Siege of Fort Pitt was the attempted ousting of British colonial by the Native Americans. In the area that is now Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, British forces were constructing a naval port. The indigenous tribes, mostly Delawares and Shawnees, revolted against this as they didn't want the port to be next to their villages. Jeffery Amherst, the British officer in charge of the Fort, gave a piece offering of warm blankets to the natives. However, his hidden agenda was to infect the natives with the blankets of smallpox victims. Whether or not the following smallpox epidemics among the natives was actually a result of the scheme or if it was just a timely coincidence is still speculated.
Usage[]
When the blankets are given to someone else, the receiver will contract a violent strain of smallpox, regardless if they have been vaccinated. The disease may be transferred to another by giving away the blankets. Stealing, picking up, or otherwise handling the blankets will not result in an infection.
Collection[]
The Warehouse was contacted when a strange string of 24 hour smallpox sufferers was found in Washington D.C. As soon as another person got sick, someone else would feel better. Agents were able to deduce that the common objects in all of the stories were the blankets.