Chas. McDermit to E. D. Waite, June 9, 1865

Camp No. 10, June 9, 1865.

SIR: I have the honor to report for the information of the general commanding that on the 30th of May I left Fort Churchill in company with Governor H. G. Blasdel, Surg. A. F. Mechem, Lieut. C. C. Warner, and an escort of thirteen cavalry from Company E, First Battalion Nevada Volunteers. On the 2d of the present month we arrived at Austin, Leander County, and on the afternoon of the 3d instant the Governor and myself had a talk with about 100 Indians (all we could collect on so short notice), telling them to come into the settlements and separate from the hostiles, be peaceable, and they would be protected. They appeared quiet and peaceably inclined. On the morning of the 4th, leaving the Governor at Austin, we started for the Humboldt River, traveling mostly due north through a mountainous country with a number of small ranches and dwellings, but mostly deserted on account of the hostile Indians. On the evening of the 4th instant Lieutenant Seamands, of Company B, First Nevada Infantry, with twenty mounted men, an interpreter, nine friendly Indians, and a 12-pounder howitzer from Fort Ruby, joined my escort. On the evening of the 8th instant I struck the river at a point seventy miles north of Unionville. On the morning of the 9th instant I undertook to cross the river, but failed on account of its swollen banks, and deemed it best to move down the river to a bridge eighteen miles distant, where I found Capt. William Wallace, Company A, First Nevada Infantry, with his company of seventy-three men and a 12-pounder howitzer. Most of the ranches along the river are deserted. 1 propose moving to-morrow morning to a suitable camp up the north side of the main Humboldt River to await the arrival of Captain Doughty, Second California Volunteers. In the meantime I will be joined by Captain Wells, Company D, First Nevada Cavalry, eighty-two men, and Captain Payne, Company E, same battalion, fifty men, when I propose moving upon the Indians, who are reported to be in the vicinity of Gravelly Ford, in strength and hostile. If we can catch them we propose to give them a whipping which they will remember. Since leaving the fort we have traveled a distance of nearly 330 miles in eight days.

very respectfully, your obedient servant,