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 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