Third Colorado Cavalry

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In response to numerous depredations by the Cheyenne and Arapaho, especially the Hungate massacre and the public display in Denver of the mutilated victims, Governor John Evans received authorization from the War Department in Washington for the establishment of the Third Colorado Cavalry. More a militia than a military unit, the "Bloodless Third" was comprised of "100-daysers," that is, volunteers who had signed on for only 100 days for the sole purpose of killing Indians. The unit commander, Col. John Chivington, was a hero of the Battle of Glorietta Pass which stopped a Confederate invasion of New Mexico. He had significant political ambitions.

At the Camp Weld Council of September 28, 1864, Evans and Chivington met with five chiefs, including Black Kettle of the Cheyenne and White Antelope of the Arapaho. They had been brought to Denver to parlay for peace under military escort by Major Edward Wynkoop, commander of Fort Lyon. The chiefs agreed to peacefully settle their people on the desolate reservation, established by the Fort Wise Treaty of 1860, on Big Sandy Creek northwest of Fort Lyon. Assured by Wynkoop of their safety, the chiefs established a large village at the curve of Sand Creek. Many set up lodges around Fort Lyon.

On November 5, Major Wynkoop was removed from command and replaced by an ally of Chivington, Major Scott Anthony, who sent all Indians camped around the fort back to the reservation. On November 26, Wynkoop left for reassignment at Fort Riley, Kansas. Two days later, Chivington arrived at Fort Lyon, having travelled in great secrecy with 700 Third Colorado 100-daysers. Encouraged by Governor Evans and spurred by his own political ambitions, Chivington was acting under pressure to use the "Bloodless Third" before the volunteers' terms expired. The Fort was quickly sealed off. Officers loyal to Wynkoop were held at gunpoint. That night, reinforced by artillery from the fort and 125 troops of the 1st Cavalry, Chivington set off for the Cheyenne-Arapaho village at Sand Creek.

[edit] The Sand Creek Massacre

Arriving at dawn on November 29, 1864, they attacked. Although Black Kettle unfurled an American flag on his tipi to signal peace, killing was indiscriminate. It is impossible to determine the number killed; 150, mostly women and children, is often cited. All were scalped but scalping was just the beginning of the mutilations. Fingers were hacked off for rings. Some of the women had their breasts or genitals cut away. For months body parts were displayed as trophies in Denver saloons.

Now called the "Bloody Third," the regiment returned to Denver in December, and mustered out on December 31, 1864.

Although lauded by many at the time as a heroic "battle," the attack was investigated by the US Congress, resulting in national shock at the brutality of the attack. In response, in 1865 the Cheyenne joined with the Sioux in all-out war against the Vehos (whites).

Sources: Hoig, Stan, The Sand Creek Massacre (Univ of Oklahoma Press, 1961). Hyde, George E. The Life of George Bent, Written from his Letters. Univ. of Oklahoma Press, 1968. 38th Congress, Second Section, Massacre of Cheyenne Indians Washington, DC, 1865. (transcript of the investigation). Wynkoop, Edward. The Tall Chief: Autobiography of Edward W. Wynkoop. Ed. by Christopher Gerboth. Colorado Historical Society, 1993.