Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-06-15

The Convention adjourned sine de at 6
o'clock p NJ.
The WRshoe War-Baitle Of Pyramid Lake.
The San Francisco correspondent Of the
~ Y. Times gives the particulars Of the causes
of the Indian outbreak in the Washoe silver
region, aud the bloody battle of Pyramid
Lake The reports of the first outbreak were
much exaggerated, only three white men be-
ing killed, and it is somewhat probable that
they were Drained by white robbers instead
of red savages. Companies were raised as
the panic spread, and lO6 men under com
mand of Major Ormsby, mounted and armed
after a fashion, crossed the Truckee River,
and on the 18th of May were within four
miles of Pyramid Lake, having seen but few
signs Of Indians or their march. The ac-
count says;
They kept scouts a mile or so ahead, who
at last deserted two Indians. Being ordered
to capture them, the scouts gave chase, but
/ soon found themselves chased back by more
formidable band than they looked for. This
brought the whites to a stand just as they had
entered deep valley, and soon there stood
revealed ON a sandy ridge, mile ahead, 100
mounted Indians. The whites charged
through sand fetlock deep, and with animals
good deal blown gained the ridge. From
this point they could see clearly that they
must avail themselves OF the cover of some
! timber on the river bank, and at once attempt
ed to reach it. Crossing over to the woods
they rode into gulch that promised to an
| swer the purpose of shelter and dismounted.
Before a white man had been wounded, how
ever; a company, reported to be 300 or 400
strong of Pitts, on loot, were seen making
up from the river TO attack them in the rear.
| The whites were panic-stricken, and utterly
uncomfortable There was but one order they
would obey-to retreat up the river. Having
| gained grove, they dismounted, but the mo-
ment they faced the enemy, some were for re-
| mounting. Maj. Ormsby threatened TO shoot
the first man who mounted without orders
Itwas time to do some fighting. The Indians
had completely surrounded the party, and
their rife balls had wounded several The
| fight lasted for fifteen minutes, when, there
appearing to be an opening up the river, an
effort was made to retreat Henry Meredith,
Of Nevada, and Joe Baldwin (the Judges
sony were on foot their mules having broken
away during the fight in the grove.
Meredith was soon Overtaken, and G circle
of red skins discharged their rifles at him
He fell; but rising on his elbow, fred both
barrels of his shot gun, and killed two of his
pursuers. The rest pitching in cut him to
pieces Baldwin was taken up behind friend
on his staggering mule, and carried miles.
Then he hid in the bushes. The Indians
hunted for him, within a few feet of his
hiding-place. At midnight he and Chilian
walked off to the mountains They fed on
grass and roots till Monday, when, quite
done over, they staggered into Virginia City.
Major 0rmsby and part of his company broke
through the Indians-the Major receiving
several wounds; but he kept his saddle for
three or four miles, when he was oyertaken
and killed. DR.. T. Jader, who was believed,
until Friday, to be dead, caught several ar
row wounds. He lay concealed near the bat
tie ground four days. he saw II dead dibOdies
Of whites stripped, but not mutilated. For
four days he was without food. The Indians
chased the retreating party 10 miles and then
gave over. Most Of those who were well
mounted escaped the others lid themselves
in the bushes; some of them were found and
killed; the others slowly struggled back to
the settlements. OF the LOG who composed
the party when it entered the valley within
four miles of Pyramid Lake, 80 have returned
alive, 20 were reported dead, 3 were last seen
wounded on the field, and 43 are still missing
unaccounted for. The names of the dead are
Major Ormsby, William S. Speer, - Par
sons Charles Devans, James Lee, (of Bos-
ton F. johnson, Charles Nichard, John
Fleming, S. ANDERSON, Andrew Schueld, NJ.
Huexerwitch, John Gavenbo, William Arm
ington, A H. Elliott, A. H. Smith, w. Haw-
kins George Jones, Henry Meredith, William
Macintosh, C. McNaughtOn.
The widest Teportsreached Virginia City of
Indians and Indian slaughter of the whites, and
all Washoe was in a panic. The savage force
was exaggerated to $4,000 in full war paint,
5000 of them mounted and well armed -
Volunteers poured in, U. S. troops were dis
patched from San Francisco to the seat of war,
but by the time they arrived the stories had
exploded, the fright was over, and the hostile
Indians had dwindIed down to a small preda-
tory band.