The silver state. [volume] (Unionville, Nev.) 1870-1903, 1879-01-25
THE FIasr PIUTE WAR.
Something About the Battles Oh
Pyramid Lake.
lFrom the Reno Journal.l

Now that there is considerable talk
of a general Indian outbreak In the
Spring it may be q matter OF interest
to read of the, first war had with the
Indians in Nevada. It was 10 1860.
when Virginia City was 10 all the ex-
element over the recently discovered
Comstock. People were fockiog in by
the thousands and were setiliu up the
country very rapidly. when GU May 9,
1860. the appalling news came that
TIE pIurEs HAD BURNED WILLIAMS
STATION,
Thirty.two miles below Dayton Chen
called Chinatown) aud had killed all
the whites to be found. The rumor
became circulated that the Indians
were planning q raid upon Virginia City
itself. Full of conservation, meetings
were hurriedly called in the several towns
and volunteers to the number of lO5,
under command of Major Ormsby
(Ofmsby county was named after him)
aud with such weapons as they could
secure, started out 10 meet the foe.
The majority of the volunteers expected
the Iudiaos would run at first fire, or
at best it would only amount to q
skirmish and so were eager for the
fray. Reaching Williams Station. they
found nothing but the luins-the In
dams having fallen back to
THEIR HEADQUARTERS ON PYRAMID LAKE.
They Immediately started for the lake.
On the morning of May 18th they were
on the Truckee river. three miles from
the lake. when they discovered large
body of Indians occupying a strong
position on a rocky hill The whites
began to fire upon them. After return
ing few shots the Indians began to
retreat. keeping up a st angling FIRE.
The whites rushed pell NELL after them
Intent upon giving them severe pun-
ishment. The fleeing Indians led
them iuto a narrow rayiue. and when
the forces were fairly in. they found
that they had been drawn into ambush
and that the whole country was
ALIVE WITH INDIANS,
Who began TO pour deadly fire in
upon the troops. Staggered at this
sudden charge the soldiers tried to
escape. Finding it impossible they
dismounted and charged the enemy.
Unable to drive them off this way,
they again mounted and charged. every
man for himself. Those who had lost
their horses fell an easy prey. while the
others beat disorderly retreat. The
savages pursued them twenty miles.
gathering up all the plumber thrown
away and killing all who fell in their
hands. OF the los 10 the engagement
76 were killed and several wounded.
Among the killed was the brave com.
mander, Major ormsby. When the
news of the disastrous defeat reached
Virginia the excitement was intense.
All expected
THE VICTORIOUS REDSKINS
70 march upon the city Immediately
ALI who could left the city. Women
and children were hurried off to Cali.
fornia and a call made for volunteers TO
whip the Indians. On the oath of Nav
the second army left Virginia City. 1t
1t consisted of 2O7 regulars and 549
volunteers. all well armed and equip.
ped and nnder command,. we believe
OF Captain E. F. Storey (S,orey county
was named in his honor). They had
with them two u pound howitzsrs.
At noon June I'd they found the enemy
in forcs
ON THE OLD BATTLE-GROUND,
And Immediately opened fire upon
them. The battle Was short but de.
cisive. and the Indians were severely
punished. They lost 1859 in. killed and
had a great many woandsd, while the
whites lost only q few-two killed and
four wounded. Capt. Storey was shot
through the lungs and died that eve
ming In camp. They scared the bor
rioiy mutilated bodies of the whites
slain IN the first engagement. Thor.