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[1] John S. Smith, March 14, 1865

  • United States Indian interpreter and special Indian agent at Fort Lyon
  • known as "Uncle John" by the Indians the cavalry
  • asked by Major S.G. Colley at Fort to go out and visit Indians to ascertain numbers, find disposition to whites
    • arrived on the 27th


testimony

  • Black Kettle, leader of the Cheyenne
    • had been given American flag by Colonel Greenwood, a commissioner
    • had been advised raise flag and white flag in case he should meet with any troops out on the prairies


  • Colonel Chivington was running for Congress
    • Smith: he prolonged the conflict for electioneering purposes
    • under his command:
      • Lieutenant Wilson
      • Lieutenant Baldwin, in command of the battery
  • Major Anthony was in command at Fort Lyon
  • Indians were promised protection and induced to stay in vicinty of fort
    • particular band had been inside fort and left satisfied
    • commanding officer had them keep 30-40 miles from fort, for safe buffer zone
      • advised them to go to Sand Creek about 40 miles NNE of the fort
  • morning of 29th
    • Indians are encamped on north side of river
    • Smith was in lodge with
      • David Louderbach,
        • a soldier, belonging to company G, lst Colorado cavalry the
      • Watson,
        • a hired hand of Mr. DD Coolly,
          • the son of Major Coolly, the agent
    • at sunrise, Indians discover soldiers are discovered 3/4 of mile from camp
    • Indians run back to camp to tell Smith
    • Indians ask Smith to go to soldiers and find out what they want
    • Black Kettle raises American flag and white flag on top of his lodge, as instructed
    • Smith leaves camp and goes out to meet soldier
      • dressed in pants, soldier's overcoat and hat
        • no Indians dressed like that
      • saw that Lieutenant Wilson was in command
      • thought his presence would calm things
      • soldiers fired several volleys at him
        • he could see they knew he was a white man by his clothes
        • could not tell if Wilson himself saw him
      • goes back and enters his lodge
    • later Chivington rides up
      • men were coming up fast behind him
      • recognizes Smith
        • tells him ""Run here, Uncle John; you are all right."
        • Smith does so as fast as he could
        • Chivington instructs him to get between him and his men
      • Smith is recognized by Lieutenant Baldwin
        • tries to help Smith get onto a horse
          • no loose horses available
            • tells him to "Catch hold of the caisson, and keep up with us."
    • Indians were scattering in every direction
      • some had crossed the river
      • troops were on both sides of the river
    • Smith follows along
      • sometimes running
      • sometimes riding caisson
    • about a mile above the village, troops have a parcel of Indians surrounded
      • approximately 100 men, women,and children
      • hemmed in under a bank of the river
    • as soon as troops overtake them, they start firing on them
    • by the time Smith arrives, many shots had been fired
      • 4-5 soldiers killed with arrows and bullets
    • soldiers continued firing until they killed all the Indians
      • Smith sees about 70 dead bodies
        • about thirty warriors, young and old
        • most of them women and children