One of the interesting endeavors undertaken by the then newly formed Lassen County Historical Society was to locate the soldier graves at the military encampment known as Smoke Creek, just across the Nevada stateline. In 1964, on their first excursion they located it. Over time they decided that something needed to be done as a memorial. In June 1968, they ventured again, this time erecting a large cross on the hillside.
The small cemetery was established on the hillside across the creek from the camp for the four soldiers who died there while in service. On January 18, 1863, Pvt. John Smith Co C2 Calif Cav died from gunshots at Deep Hole, Nevada, over an argument with his commanding officer Second Lt Henry W. Williams. On November 9, 1863, Pvt. Gustavus W. Platt Co. C2 Calif Cav died of typhoid fever at Smoke Creek. On July 3, 1864, Sergeant William McCoy, age 28, died from an unknown illness. On November 17, 1865, Pvt. David O’Connell Co. B2 Calif. Cav was killed in action at the Pine Forest battle near Black Rock.
Hi Tim,
Would like to drive out to the old camp and take some closer pictures. I understand that Jackrabbit owns the property now and since it is fenced off I will need to contact them. I am a graves registration officer for the SUVCW in Reno, NV. Looking at the older picture it would appear that there were wooden markers and maybe a fence around the 4 graves of the soldiers. Do you know if you can drive to the location that the picture of the trees in the background was taken? Is it off Smoke Creek Ranch Road? By the way Private Gustavus W Platt is really PLASS on all of his military records.
The graves are on public land, just outside the private property. It is a decent hike to get there because of the property line. Email me directly if you’d like more details. coastie720@gmail.com