Battle of Sand Creek

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Contents 1 NPS Battle Summary 2 References

Dates: November 29-30, 1864

Alternate Names: Chivington Massacre

Location: Kiowa County, Colorado

Campaign: Sand Creek Campaign (1864)

US Commander: Col. John Chivington

US Forces Engaged: Third Colorado Regiment (approx. 700 men)

US Estimated Casualties: unknown

Independent Commander: Black Kettle, Cheyenne

Independent Forces Engaged: 500 Cheyennes and a few Arapahos

Independent Estimated Casualties: 200

Result: Union victory (massacre)

NPS Battle Summary

Scattered Indian raids had caused much ill-will between the white settlers and the Native Americans. In the autumn, Territorial (Colorado) officers had offered a vague amnesty if Indians reported to army forts. Black Kettle with many Cheyennes and a few Arapahos, believing themselves to be protected, established a winter camp about 40 miles from Fort Lyon. On November 29, Col. John Chivington, who advocated Indian extermination, arrived near the camp, having marched there from Fort Lyon. In spite of the American flag and a white flag flying over the camp, the troops attacked, killing and mutilating about 200 of the Indians, two-thirds of whom were women and children.^[1]

References

1. ↑ NPS.gov: NPS Battle Summaries

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