Virginia City, 1860, Pyramid Lake Indian Wars
Virginia City, Carson, Utah Territory Cover Date: October 25, 1860 Some say it was for justice. Some say it was just revenge. Some say it was justified. Some say it was immoral. Some say it was the alcohol. Some say it was lack of leadership. Some say it was untrained soldiers. But no matter what lead to the attack on the Paiute Indians in May of 1860 the new white settles intended to show the native Paiute Indians who was boss in this land. Boy, did they miscalculate! |
Cover as History: Tensions were ripe. The Native Americans in this area were slowly being forced out of their territory. So, a gathering of tribes was held at Pyramid Lake in May of 1860. They were ready to fight for their land - their way of live.
Whether they would have gone to war is uncertain, but a small band of Indians killed two brothers at Williams Station. Whether they did it because the brothers had captured two underage Indian females and misused them or they just wanted to draw blood is under debate, but as far as the citizens of the newly formed Nevada Territory were concerned, these Indians had to be taught a lesson. They formed a vigilante army of 105 men. They had experienced military leaders, but they were never put in charge. This army of volunteers had no discipline and lost their taste for battle while marching through the Nevada desert Finally they caught site of the Indians on May 12th on the Truckee River about 10 miles from Pyramid Lake. They charged!
The small band of Indians retreated just fast enough down the canyon to keep in front of the vigilante army which had completely fallen apart. They were strung out as the fastest on horses were way ahead of the slowest on foot. The Indians they were chasing stopped and a larger party joined them. But more devastating was the mass of Indians that had hidden in the sagebrush on both sides of the white army. They were trapped and the slaughter commenced! Seventy-six members of the vigilante army lost their lives. This was the largest number in an Indian battle for sixty-nine years! Word reached Virginia City and panic set in. Women and Children were huddled in the partly finished brick hotel. Streets were barricaded. Tensions were high! But on June 2nd a force of regular soldiers from California met the Indians again near Pyramid Lake. This time they easily routed the Indians which vanished into the desert. The war was over and no more major battles would be fought! |
History of Cover: Mrs. J. A. Armstrong is getting a letter from someone living in Virginia City. Obviously, letters sent back east come from someone who knew the person the letter is going to. And many times it was a family member. So a quick look of the 1860 census shows us a J. A. Armstrong. Could this be 'the' Mr. J. A. Armstrong?
He is living with his brother and sister-in-law. He is a miner. That, of course, makes sense given the climate in Virginia City at the time. Many, many men came from the states to make their fortune. Did he? 1860 Virginia City census shows an A. J. Armstrong living in Virginia City. There is no Mrs. Armstrong, however! A perusal of Carson County, Utah Territory records bears out this hypothesis. We have a recording on May 29, 1860 from A. B. Forbes to K. G. and John A. Armstrong for 25 feet in the middle load of the Virginia claim. The Armstrong brothers were out to make a fortune in the mines of Virginia City.
Did they? On October 20, 1860 it seems they sold their claim back to Forbes. That is the last mention of J. A. Armstrong I can find in Nevada! So, what was the letter that accompanied this cover all about. It was mailed just five days after John Armstrong had sold his mining claim. I imagine it said that 'this getting quick rich scheme didn't work and I am heading home to be with my family! One thing we do know is that the three Armstrong's were immersed in the happenings of the day. They lived through the fear of Indian attacks. They waited impatiently for word on their whereabouts. This may have even played a part in their leaving this savage land! In 1870 John Armstrong is back home with his wife! |
Post Office Dates:
December 3, 1859 - March 2, 1861 Carson County, Utah Territory
March 2, 1861 - October 31, 1864 Storey County, Nevada Territory
October 31, 1861 - present Storey County, Nevada
According to the survey of Nevada postal history by Gamett and Nelson, it is the earliest non-manuscript Virginia CIty, Utah Territory known. It is rated an R-8.
December 3, 1859 - March 2, 1861 Carson County, Utah Territory
March 2, 1861 - October 31, 1864 Storey County, Nevada Territory
October 31, 1861 - present Storey County, Nevada
According to the survey of Nevada postal history by Gamett and Nelson, it is the earliest non-manuscript Virginia CIty, Utah Territory known. It is rated an R-8.