The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-06-12
BLOODY BATTLE BETWEEN THE IN
DAMS AND WHITES.


had beeen murdered by the Indians while asleep
at Mllers station. Carson river, some thirty
miles from the settlements of Carson Valley, and
also that various companies had organized at Fir-
ginia City, Gold Hill and other settlements in the
Washoe Mines, and gone in pursuit of the In
dams, supposed to have committed the murders
1t subsequently appeared that those volunteers
united in one body, and under the command of
Major Ormsby they we're mounted, and numbered
1O5 men. This force, on the 18th inst, at 2.
NJ, came upon Indians at the bend of Qulckie
river about 65 miles northward, toward Pyramid
lake from Virginia City.
i The Indians were in ambush at narrow pass
through which Major Ormsbys party were pro-
ceeding, and numbered it is supposed not less than
five hundred, all having firearms, plenty ofapuni-
ton, and 800 horses within conrcnientF dis
lance They opened fire upon the troops from
their safe hiding-place; Major Ormsby ordered
charge; but the Indians continued to skulk, firing
occasionally from behind the rocks and sage
bushes, and doing damage, without suffering much
in return. This condition of things continued for
some two hours, when the ammunition Of Ormsby's
party gave out. The Indians, seeing this, closed
upon our men, pouring voey after volley, killing
many on the spot and the balance retreaed scatter
ing in all directions the hills and among the sage
bushes. They pursued twenty-five or thirty
miles by the mounted Indians and many detached
parties cut off.
The survivors came struggling into Virginia
City during the two subsequent days. The exact
number of killed is not yet ascertaned, but it pro-
badly exceeds fifty. Among the slain are Major
Ornsby and Henry Meredith, a distinguished
California lawyer. Total known to be killed, Fl;
wounded, 3; fate unknown, 43; returned alive, 80.
Wagons have been sent out to pick up any
wounded that may be found, and alss an armed
force to protect parties burying the dead, but no
e. Ill ,ttl
Very exaggerated accounts of this battle were
tclegraphed to all parts Of California the 18th
1t was first reported that all of Ormsby's men
killed except SIX that the victorious Indians, num-
herring 1000, were marching upon Virginia City,
determined to kill all the American citizens in the
Washoe mines; that ali the Indians from Walker
river, South, to the Humboldt river on the north,
in full paint, and had sent away their
women and children; and that while thus threaten
ed with destruction, the Americans in the Washoe
mines had arms ammunition Tor defence.
These exaggerated reports caused powerful ex
ertons throughout California to send relief. At
Placerville and Sacramento the people assembled
and raised about So 600 and fitted out company
of wearmed volunteers, who started from Placer
vile on their way over the mountains on the 18th
On the 10Th, $50 volunteers started out from
Downievllc, and another company from Nevada
All the principal military companies in the State
day
The State authorities promptly dispatched 1000
stand of arms. with good supply Of ammunition
General Clark, commanding the Pacific division of
the United States army, dispatched from San
Francisco, the 14th, one hundred and fifty
United States troops, which all the available
men in Central California, together with 500
stand of arms and l00, 600 rounds of ammunition
lie also sent orders that hundred United
States soldiers, stationed at Henry Lake, one hun
dred miles north of Carson Valley, proceed to the
Pyramid Lake region, and aid in suppressng hos
tties.
These movements warrant the belief that there
are now not less than 800 well armed volunteers
from California, and 260 United States soldiers
ready for duty on the eastern slope of the noun
tains-an ample force to protect the people as long
as unpaid volunteers can afford to remain in the
field.
At last accounts, all hostile Indians were to the
north OF the pony express and Salt Lake mail and
emigrant route, and the troops will be posted
to keep that route open.
The Indians the eastern side of the noun
tains extending north into Oregon and westward
into the interior of Utah, number probably 1000
and from their contiguity to the Mormons and
other unavoidable causes, are all liable to become
hostile to the Americans, unless permanent means
are taken by the government to restrain them. At
least 500 United States soldiers should be station
ed in different exposed points between the Hum
boldt and Walker rivers.