Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1881-05-20
A BRAVE ACT.

A BRAVE ACT.
Among the many frontier army posts
is one known as Camp McDermitt, in
Nevada, located upon the stage road
from Wiunemucca to Boise city, and
distant some eighty miles from the line
of the Central Pacific Railroad. 1t is
near the mouth of little ravine in the
very heart of the Winnemucca hunting
grounds, and the Indians of that tribe,
governed by chieftain of the same
name, made their headquarters at the
time OF this occurrence within mile Of
camp upon small stream.
Peace reigned. and the red men, with
their squaws and papooses, were accus-
toned to make tri-weekly visits to the
camp for the purpose Of receiving from
the quartermaster the rations allowed
them by Uncle Sam of bread and meat.
The usual force at the post was about
sixty men, and in 1869, single com
pany of cavalry, commanded by one
Captain Wagner. was in occupation of
McDermitt. The other officers of the
company were Lieutenant ", a
young mau, and the surgeon
Winuemucca, chief of the Indians,
was the father of daughter who pos
sessed wonderful beauty and fine
mind. Desiring to fit her for position
in civilized rather than savage life, the
sachem had sent her to San Francisco,
where she had received thorough cdu-
cation. Returning to her father, he
had obtained for her, through the as
sistance of his many friends among the
whites, the position of INTERPRETERS at
McDermitt. In 1859, she was stationed
at the post in quarters of her own,
well-dressed, handsome, woman of about
twenty-five years of age, receiving a
monthly salary of $40 in gold.
With all the arts of her willy nature
the girl sought to win the affections of
the only bachelor officer in camp. whom
we will call Lieutenant N, and
within two months the young fellow
openly avowed his intention of making
Sarah Winnemucca his wife. His cap
tain, as became him, argued against this
strange misalliance, but finding N
thoroughly in earnest, and waiting only
for some passing minister to tie the nup-
tial knot, he dropped the matter, and
would have given it no further thought
had not his attention been shortly there
after called to il in new and startling
way. While the lovers yet awaited the
coming of minister. the wife of the
sutler, whose store was Just without the
limits of camp, informed Captain Wag-
ner that she had discovered a plot among
the Winnemuccas to murder the garri-
son, sack the post, announce Sarah
WInnemucca as their queen, and begin
a war of determination against the
whites throughout all the plain coun-
try-and Lieutenant WAS to join
with the savages in carrying the plan
out.
"When will this plan be put iato exc
cution 7" asked the captain.
Tonight, at moonrse !" returned the
other II dared not go to your quar-
ters, sir, to tell you of it, but had to
wait until you came here, The lieuten-
ant is on duty, you know He will call
in the sentinel, house the guard, spike
the howitzer, and then the Indian will
come J"
To-night--and it was now dusk
The commanders voice was steady as
he remarked, very we'll We will be
ready for them. Show no signs of fear,
but keep within doors after dark, and be
ready to ay il necessary" Then, I'M
concernedly smoking, he left the store
and proceeded towards camp.
Supper was over, and some Of the men
were lounging about the parade-ground
as the captain entered. Quietly calling
trusty corporal to his side. he said:
"After guard is placed, and just be-
fore moonrise, which is at eleven, take
four men with their arms, and go to the
stables. Close the doors, aud remain
until morning. Open to none but my
self. DO not communicate your duty "a
any except those whom you take with
you"
The man touched his hat, and moved
away. This was to prevent the false
lieutenant from stealing the horses,
should he choose to attempt it, instead Of
capturing them. Then the captain pass.
ed on to his own quarters.
The hours Aed-nine, ten, eleven Ia
fifteen minutes the moon would rise.
Soon after. with sword and pistol.
holster at his waist, the captain came
from his door, and silently crossing the
parade ground, turned with quickened
pace, down the stage road towards tho
WinEemucca camp The distance was
short, aud just as the FIRST rays of the
rising moon tiuged with spectral white
the dark carpet of sage-brush that COW
cred all the plain. the officer found him
self upon a slight eminence overlooking
the teepee huts of the Indians This
was the sight which met his eyes.
Around council-frc we're gathered
tha ok.afta;. .n1 ,,a...o.o - Al. ii