The fight took place following the defeat of Major William Ormsby at the First Battle of Pyramid Lake as U.S.

When Major William Ormsby's vigilante command was routed at Pyramid Lake, settlers in the area sent calls for help to California.

John C. Hays responded to the call and arrived in Carson City to organize a volunteer regiment.

Regular soldiers from Fort Alcatraz where en route to the region under Captain Joseph Stewart.

[2] Instead of waiting for Stewart's regulars, Hays marched his command out of Carson City toward the location of the initial Indian attack at Williams Station.