Pony Express Rider
Placerville newspaper letter to the editor on May 31, 1860:
"Bartholomew Riley died last night in Carson City of a rifle-shot wound received at Cold Springs Station, on the Pony Express route, on the 16th of May. He had received an honorable discharge from Company E of the 19th Regiment of U. S. Infantry, at Camp Floyd, and was in route to California where he has brothers and sisters residing, when intelligence of the Indian outrage at William's ranch was first brought to Carson. As might be expected from a gallant soldier, he did not hesitate what course to pursue, but at once threw himself into the ranks of the ill-fated volunteers, under Major Ormsby. During the trying scenes of that bloody day at Pyramid Lake, he was conspicuous among them all for the intrepidity and gallantry of his conduct. Like the white plume of Henry Navarre, his course was where the battle raged fiercest, and he heeded them not. More than one of the dusky enemy were made painfully aware of the unerring accuracy of his aim whilst his were the friendly hands that performed the last kind services for the lamented Ormsby.
"Among the last to leave the field, Riley did not reach Buckland until the Express going east arrived on the 15th of May. The rider upon whom developed the duty of going forward with the Express shrinking from its performance and when there seemed no alternative but a failure, Riley, fresh from the battle field and tired as he was, stepped forth and volunteered to ride to the next change, a distance of 85 miles. He did so in excellent time.
"On the following day, at Cold Springs Station, by the accidental discharge of a weapon in the hands of a friend, he received wounds from which he died last night. He sleeps - he has fought his last battle - may the last trump awake him to glory again."
Placerville newspaper letter to the editor on May 31, 1860:
"Bartholomew Riley died last night in Carson City of a rifle-shot wound received at Cold Springs Station, on the Pony Express route, on the 16th of May. He had received an honorable discharge from Company E of the 19th Regiment of U. S. Infantry, at Camp Floyd, and was in route to California where he has brothers and sisters residing, when intelligence of the Indian outrage at William's ranch was first brought to Carson. As might be expected from a gallant soldier, he did not hesitate what course to pursue, but at once threw himself into the ranks of the ill-fated volunteers, under Major Ormsby. During the trying scenes of that bloody day at Pyramid Lake, he was conspicuous among them all for the intrepidity and gallantry of his conduct. Like the white plume of Henry Navarre, his course was where the battle raged fiercest, and he heeded them not. More than one of the dusky enemy were made painfully aware of the unerring accuracy of his aim whilst his were the friendly hands that performed the last kind services for the lamented Ormsby.
"Among the last to leave the field, Riley did not reach Buckland until the Express going east arrived on the 15th of May. The rider upon whom developed the duty of going forward with the Express shrinking from its performance and when there seemed no alternative but a failure, Riley, fresh from the battle field and tired as he was, stepped forth and volunteered to ride to the next change, a distance of 85 miles. He did so in excellent time.
"On the following day, at Cold Springs Station, by the accidental discharge of a weapon in the hands of a friend, he received wounds from which he died last night. He sleeps - he has fought his last battle - may the last trump awake him to glory again."
Pony Express Rider
Placerville newspaper letter to the editor on May 31, 1860:
"Bartholomew Riley died last night in Carson City of a rifle-shot wound received at Cold Springs Station, on the Pony Express route, on the 16th of May. He had received an honorable discharge from Company E of the 19th Regiment of U. S. Infantry, at Camp Floyd, and was in route to California where he has brothers and sisters residing, when intelligence of the Indian outrage at William's ranch was first brought to Carson. As might be expected from a gallant soldier, he did not hesitate what course to pursue, but at once threw himself into the ranks of the ill-fated volunteers, under Major Ormsby. During the trying scenes of that bloody day at Pyramid Lake, he was conspicuous among them all for the intrepidity and gallantry of his conduct. Like the white plume of Henry Navarre, his course was where the battle raged fiercest, and he heeded them not. More than one of the dusky enemy were made painfully aware of the unerring accuracy of his aim whilst his were the friendly hands that performed the last kind services for the lamented Ormsby.
"Among the last to leave the field, Riley did not reach Buckland until the Express going east arrived on the 15th of May. The rider upon whom developed the duty of going forward with the Express shrinking from its performance and when there seemed no alternative but a failure, Riley, fresh from the battle field and tired as he was, stepped forth and volunteered to ride to the next change, a distance of 85 miles. He did so in excellent time.
"On the following day, at Cold Springs Station, by the accidental discharge of a weapon in the hands of a friend, he received wounds from which he died last night. He sleeps - he has fought his last battle - may the last trump awake him to glory again."
Placerville newspaper letter to the editor on May 31, 1860:
"Bartholomew Riley died last night in Carson City of a rifle-shot wound received at Cold Springs Station, on the Pony Express route, on the 16th of May. He had received an honorable discharge from Company E of the 19th Regiment of U. S. Infantry, at Camp Floyd, and was in route to California where he has brothers and sisters residing, when intelligence of the Indian outrage at William's ranch was first brought to Carson. As might be expected from a gallant soldier, he did not hesitate what course to pursue, but at once threw himself into the ranks of the ill-fated volunteers, under Major Ormsby. During the trying scenes of that bloody day at Pyramid Lake, he was conspicuous among them all for the intrepidity and gallantry of his conduct. Like the white plume of Henry Navarre, his course was where the battle raged fiercest, and he heeded them not. More than one of the dusky enemy were made painfully aware of the unerring accuracy of his aim whilst his were the friendly hands that performed the last kind services for the lamented Ormsby.
"Among the last to leave the field, Riley did not reach Buckland until the Express going east arrived on the 15th of May. The rider upon whom developed the duty of going forward with the Express shrinking from its performance and when there seemed no alternative but a failure, Riley, fresh from the battle field and tired as he was, stepped forth and volunteered to ride to the next change, a distance of 85 miles. He did so in excellent time.
"On the following day, at Cold Springs Station, by the accidental discharge of a weapon in the hands of a friend, he received wounds from which he died last night. He sleeps - he has fought his last battle - may the last trump awake him to glory again."
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