Nevada national., 1860-05-26
LETTER FROM wAsuoE.
[rnan orn ~. elanE.roaBe.I.l
YrnGNiA CrTr. May 20, ls6

for war. The arms from Placerville. with
large escort. arrived about 10 O'Clock on
Thursday evening. They were received with
most enthusiastic welcome. The party,
with their arms, we're qnartered at Fort
Riley. as the store house building OF Pat
Rileys, is now called.
Although hut little fear OF an attack upon
the place was felt after Tuesday last, still,
the addition of some 800 stand Of arms with
an abundant supply of ammunition. TO our
previous scanty supply, made assurance
doubly sure, aud even the most timid OF our
citizens then threw OIL every appearance oi
alarm.
The next day, Friday, the Nevada Rifles
came into town. and made fine display, as
with their noble steeds they paraded up
and down through street to the quarters
which bad been provided for them. near 'he
Ophir Company Stone house. At 10 O'Clock
to-day. Sunday. the Downievile rifles was
seen coming up from California Ravine,
under large escort of our citizens who had
organized as a military company and gone
out to meet them. ThOngh somewhat IA
tigued with their long and iiresome march
over the mountains, they presented quite a
military appearance, and to the number or
abou. one hundred and fifty took up their
quarters at the Empire Lodging House at
the South end OF town. We noticed among
them Calvin b. Nc Donald. Esq. the Editor
of the Sierra Citizen.
The United States troops, to the number
of about two hundred, ordered thither by
Gen. Clark, have just arrived at Carson City
They bring with them an abundant supply
Of ammunition and three mountain howitzers,
which last will be greatly needed in the
fight which must ensue. In addition to the
above. our citizens have already organized
three companies in this place.
All the different companies will GO into
camp tomorrow, on the plain. few miles
below the mouth Of Six Mile Canon, where
they will make the necessary field organiza-
tion. and prepare for an immediate descent
upon the Indians who are still near the late
battle field. at the southern extremity Of
Pyramid Lake. The United States troops
will no. come to this place at all. but will
move direct from Carson City to the general
rendezvous pia Chinatown.
There are now from eight to nine hundred
men under arms, only about two hundred OF
whom are mounted. besides about one hun
dred in Honey Lake Valley, and the same
number at Black Rock well armed but not
mounted who will act in concert with the
troops from this quarter, and endeavor TO
place the enemy between two fires.
Col. Jack Hays. the old Texan Indian
fighter. has been elected Captain of one of
the companies formed in this place and will,
without doubt, be chosen to the chief com
mand. Ne man on the continent is better
qualified, either in skill or prestige for the
position.
1t is reported to-day although have net
seen the individual. that white man who
has lived for several years with the Indians,
now at Pyramid Lake, and who speaks their
language 1uently, left here on Friday last
for their camp. with the view, il possible, of
rterring the bodies of Henry Meredith and
Maj Ormsby, and others il he could. He
returned TO town to-day and reports that he
was not allowed to touch a body, although
they all lay above ground stripped Of their
clothing. He reports that the Indians have
taken mp strong position and fortified it as
well as they know how TO do, and express
the determination to give the whites the best
fight they can. As this is their favorite To-
calitT for hunting. fishing and Tor grass, they
will doubtless make 4 determined stand.
How little they realize the consequences
The determination among the volunteers is
utter determination of man, woman and
child Any efforts toward milder course
by the regular officers will prove unavail-
ing. Snch is 4" manifest destiny"
Various surmiscs are entertained with re-
gard to the force OF the Indians. Very little
could be learned by the party above alluded
to, for manifest reasons. 1t is thought that
the Indians have been long preparing for
the contest, and that all the tribes on the
Eastern Slope from the Oregon line and
above to Gila, have concentrated their forces
in this vicinity. No one thinks of meeting
less than 1000 warriors-a large portion of
whom are we'll armed with United States
rifles, and at least 800 well mounted Some
have estimated them as high as 1000 or 5000.
Our people will be ready to take the field
by Wednesday, at the latest, and in all prob
ability Saturday next will tell the result.
or course one battle will not close the war.
The Indians will be driven from their pres
ent position probably on the first day Of
attack. 1t is thought by many that they
will then move up the Lake, northwards,
where it is prepared they may be met in
their fight and cut OF By the men of Honey