@AC1830 Where's a hat tipping emoji when I need one? Fantastic historical detail here! Brava!

Awesome background info, @AC1830! THANK YOU!

Very interesting @AC1830, thanks for all the info, both historical and regarding background on the production!  I just knew there was something special about this one.  

This is one of the episodes that followed history with the attack on a Paiute woman leading to an attack on the station, the army being called in, and the battle at Pyramid Lake. It is impressive in it's filming, acting, and storytelling. It's one of my favorites for portraying history, although it's a very sad historical account. Adam's part in this is intense in many ways - his fierce attack on the men at Wilson Station in defense of the Paiute women, his serious talks with Winnemucca and Lone Wolf, as well as Ring Nose. He's working the Indian side while Ben is working the white and military side. It's impressive to see each side of the same conversations - trying to avoid war and death on both sides.    In May and June of 1860, Nevada was part of the Utah Territory and was dominated by the Pyramid Lake War. This conflict was a series of battles and skirmishes between the Northern Paiute people and American settlers, which significantly disrupted daily life and transcontinental mail service.  Background and the start of the conflict Growing tensions: The conflict had been building for some time due to settlers moving onto Paiute lands, the Pony Express building stations along Paiute territory, and a general mistrust between the groups. Williams Station incident: On May 7, a clash occurred at Williams Station, which served as a Pony Express outpost. After a Paiute woman was abducted and abused, the Paiute attacked the station, killing five men. This incident triggered the war.  Major events of May and June 1860 First Battle of Pyramid Lake (May 12): Following the Williams Station incident, a volunteer militia led by Major William Ormsby marched from Virginia City to confront the Paiute. In a two-hour battle near the Truckee River, Paiute warriors ambushed and routed Ormsby's forces, killing Major Ormsby and 75 of his men. From Ponderosa Scenery website "Very impressive battle scenes in this first mini-epic of the series.  This episode did all it could to stage the real thing; 50 Indians were used and 50 cavalry actors and extras were used, and the production involved three days of shooting on location.  This episode encompassed both the biggest cast and most costly stunts.  This episode is based on the factual accounting that occurred in May and June of 1860. Final production cost - $139,000" (approx. $1.5 million today).