In Nevada, Paiute Indians wipe out a poorly organized white militia at the Battle of Big Bend

Incensed with the killing of five men and the burning of the Pony Express stop at Williams Station, Nevada miners formed four companies of militia to punish the Paiute Indians.  One of these units under "Major" William Ormsby engaged the tribe and their allies near Pyramid Lake and the civilians were comprehensively defeated.  Of the 105 whites, 76 were killed, including Ormsby, and the remainder narrowly escaped, most with wounds.  (By John Osborne)