The Battle at Sand Creek is a battle that most history buffs can't figure out to be either a battle of heroism on the third regiment's part or a cruel and brutal slaughter of innocent Indians. This article did not take an exact stand on whether it was a cruel slaughter or a heroic victory.
The article starts out recognizing the great snowstorm which set in the last of October. The Bijou Basin had been selected the spot for a great Indian campaign. It explained how the Indians came from all over and traveled through the great storm. Different tribes marched over hundreds of miles in sometimes three feet of snow. It took them about five days to reach the rendezvous point of the Indian campaign. Here the Indians had gathered to practice probably some religious practices as well as make peace with some long time enemies.
On the afternoon of the 28th the entire command reached Fort Lyon, a distance of two hundred and sixty miles, in less than six days. Their quiet march was able to take the leaders of the fort completely by surprise. The third regiment was able to strengthen their numbers by about two hundred and fifty soldiers and continued on to the Bijou Basin. Their men were scattered into smaller battalions once they got closer the Indian campaign in the basin. As the sun rose the third regiment attacked the unsuspecting Indians. Although they were not prepared to fight, the Indians gave the regiment a run for their money early on in the battles. They had dug rifle pits all along the river and placed so called snipers in them. But in the end, they slaughtered the entire village leaving only a few survivors. They recked their homes and destroyed their people. It is said that all the chiefs and leaders of the tribes were killed leaving the surviving Indians in turmoil because they had no rule. There is no other battle that we can account for that more Indians had been slain.