The Sand Creek Incident

A surprise army attack turned into a massacre.

November 29, 1864. An estimated force of 675 men of the 3rd Colorado Cavalry attack an Indian encampment near Sand Creek in Colorado. There were few warriors present, and the incident quickly turned into a massacre. Up to 275 Indians died, most of them elderly, women and children. Soldiers took body parts as “trophies” before burning the camp. The event was so horrific that entire companies of the cavalry refused to take part. And they later
reported what actually happened at Sand Creek.