The Nevada journal., 1860-05-25
RattIe Of prrsa,id Lake.

The Bulletin, of Saturday last, contains
an account of the battle in which Henr,
Meredith and others lost their lives 1t /:
based on the statements of Capt. Mcdonald
and Joe. Baldwin Jr., and is entitled to q
great degree of credence. We condense il
for our columns.
Nothing very remarkable accured to the
party of Americans till they arrived within
four miles of Pyramid Lake and within
sight of it. Indian signs had been discov-
cred all along, but now scouts were sent
out who returned and reported having seen
two Indians. Orders we're given to secure
the two as prisoners if possible. In fol-
lowing them the scouts came upon body
of $50 Indians drawn up for a fight, all
mounted and commanded by chiefs. The
Americans proceeded in full view of the
Indians to within 800 yards of them. A
chief on horseback, had in his hand what
was at first supposed to be white flag.
but which on examination through the tel
which cleaned in the sun light as he rode
backwards and forwards in front of his
men. The chief with the Ak was fred on
by order of Major Ormsby. The Indians
advanced, jumped from their horses and
fired. The Americans seeing two hundred
other Indians on foot, made for cluster
of trees. The firing then became general
Some of the Americans broke and fed. The
remainder retreated to ravine for protec-
tion and fought from that. The Indians
were held in check ten minutes, when three
or four hundred additional Indians were
seen to approach in the rear. panic
then seized majority of the Americans
and they broke for the river. The remain
der were obliged to follow as the Indians
were closing very rapidly. No control over
the men existed. A partial rally of the
men was effected by Capt. Mcdonald and
Meredith, but after few shots they broke
again, perfectly panic stricken. The bull
lets flew thick, but as yet none of the Amer
leans were killed and but few wounded
The company retreated up the river two
hundred yards. Another rally was made,
and here among trees the main fight was
made. The Indians had completely sur
rounded the party, and were within sixty
yards distance. The engagement here last
ed ten or fifteen minutes. Major Ormsby
leading the advance was wounded in cut
ting his way through the Indians. Henry
Meredith and young Baldwin, with Capt.
McDonalds party, covered the retreat, the
two former on foot, their mules having es-
capped during the engagement. Meredith
was wounded. One of the party offered to
refused, with the remark, "No, Sir, it would
endanger your life. Meredith was soon
overtaken by the Indians, who fired on him
a volley and he fell Raising himself on
his elbow he took deliberate aim and fired
both barrels of his gun, killing two Indians.
He next felt for his revolver but it was lost
The Indians then fell on MIN and cut him to
pieces. Baldwin was taken up by Lawrence,
who had offered Meredith a place on his
mule, and carried nine miles from the battle
field
Major ormsby was shot by poisoned
arrow in the mouth and was soon overta-
ken by the Indians and killed. No attempt
to rally the men to protect the wounded and
those on foot was successful. 1t was wild
rout Arms were thrown away and every
man looked out for himself.
Baldwin and Chileno crawled into the
bushes and hid-the Indians passing within
few feet of them all night. Wandering
about in the mountains and subsisting on
grass, they finally made Virginia City at II
O'Clock on Monday morning, some forty
hours after the battle.