McDermit to E. D. Waite, May 9, 1865

LIEUTENANT:

I have the honor to report for the information of the general commanding that settlers at Carson Lake and also on Truckee River requested me to send troops to those localities, informing me that they anticipated trouble with the Indians. On the morning of the əd of May I left this post for Carson Lake, taking with me First Lieut. D. Vanderhoof, Company O, Nevada Infantry, Second Lieut. D. H. Pine, Nevada Infantry, and detachment Company E, Nevada Cavalry, consisting of fifteen men, with six days’ supplies; arrived in camp at Cottonwood Station, on the overland road, at 3 p. m., having marched twenty-six miles. 4th, left camp at 4.40 a. m.; arrived at Taylor’s ranch, on the Carson River, near the lake, at 9.30 a. m., that being the place previously designated by me to meet the whites and Indians. 5th, a large number of Indians and some twenty settlers met me at Mr. Taylor’s house. In conversation with the Indians I soon learned that the excitement was caused by the peaceable Indians from the Hum. boldt coming to the Carsor Lake to avoid trouble, and the Indians livmg in the vicinity, not knowing the cause of so many coming in, supposed that a general war of extermination was about to commence, and to confirm them in this beiief some reckless white men had told them that I was coming with soldiers to kill them all. They had commenced sending away their squaws and children and burning their wigwams. The white settlers seeing these movements on the part of the Indians in turn became alarmed, and dispatched a messenger to me in great haste; but through my interpreter, Richard A. Washington, I soon learned the facts in the case, and they assured me of their great desire for peace with the whites. I talked with the whites and Indians about three hours, assuring them that I would protect the good and at the same time punish the bad of either party. At5 p.m. I left with the command for Saint Clair Station; arrived there at 6.15 p. m., where we camped during the night, having marched five miles. 6th, took up line of march direct for Truckee River at5a.m. Having procured an affidavit that a citizen named Cook had been exulting over the death of President Lincoln, I dispatched Lieutenant Pine with one enlisted man to arrest Cook and deliver him over to the commanding officer at Fort Churchill, which was done. Arrived at Reservation house, on Truckee River, at 1.15 p. m.; distance, twenty-eight miles. Tth, had talk with the Indians, who informed me that the agent had told them lies and otherwise treated them badly, having hired the reserve to white men to keep their stock on it, receiving the money for the same and appropriating it to their [his] own use; and when the Indians would ask the agent for something to help them procure subsistence or clothing, he would tell them that all the money he received had to be turned over to the Indian Department, and if they gave any trouble he would send to Fort Churchill for troops and clean them out. Upon an investigation of the treatment of the Indians by the agent I am really surprised to know that they have borne all these impositions so patiently. Last year $25,000 was appropriated for the purpose of cultivating the Truckee and Walker River reserves. The money has disappeared, and not one pound of anything is being raised on either reserve for the Indians, and the agents are determined to continue their impositions further by herding stock on the reserves and consuming the grass, the seed of which, if permitted to mature, would afford them a great part of their subsistence. I told the Indians to remain peaceable and injure no white man, and now since the war is over our Great Father at Washington would do something for them; and in the meantime if any of the whites abused them not to resent it, but come to me and make their complaints, and I would investigate the matter and punish the guilty party. I also requested the whites to take all their stock off the reserve. I talked to the Indians about four hours, and they appeared much pleased with all I told them. Sth, I left camp on Truckee River at 4.30 a. m.; arrived at Fort Churchill at 12.45 p. m., having traveled thirty miles.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,