Читать книгу Lost Worlds of 1863. Relocation and Removal of American Indians in the Central Rockies and the Greater Southwest онлайн

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The federal forces returned to the Carson River near the site of Williams Station and constructed what became Fort Churchill in 1861. The desert outpost was designed to curtail hostile Paiutes at the Pyramid Lake and Walker River areas, as well as protect the Pony Express and other mail routes.73 When the “Washoe Regiment” returned to California, and the regulars withdrew to the Carson River, Old Winnemucca’s people, mostly peaceful, returned to Pyramid Lake. Other returnees were not so placid and would continue depredations for the next few years. The arrival of new farmers along the Truckee River and near Pyramid Lake only aggravated their situation. Along with the squatters, vigilantes, fishermen and miners, the army at Fort Churchill would now be a permanent feature in the lives of Pyramid Lake Paiutes.

By October 1860, the month when Chief Truckee died in the Pine Nut Mountains southeast of Carson City, the Pyramid Lake War of eastern Nevada was over. But other skirmishes and battles were to continue through 1865. During May 1861 over 1,500 Paiutes assembled at the mouth of the Walker River. They were led by Wahe, who claimed to be spirit chief of all Paiutes and the brother of Old Winnemucca. A spirit chief was a leader who was believed by his followers to be immune to the white man’s bullets.


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