On the afternoon of the 28th of October, it was reported that a body of indians were approaching, and precautions were taken for their reception. No one upon the route was permitted to go in advance of the column, and persons who it was suspected would spread the news of the advance were kept under surveillance until all danger from that source was past.

Reaching Fort Lyon the forces was strengthened by about two hundred fifty (250) men of the first regiment, and at nine (9) o'clock in the evening the command set out for an indian village. The course was due north, and their guide was the Polar Star. As daylight dawned they came in sight of the indian camp, after a forced midnight march of forty-two (42) miles, in eight (8) hours, across the rough, unbroken plain. But little time was required for preparation. The forces had been divided and arranged for battle on the march, and just as the sun rose they dashed upon the enemy.

Although utterly surprised, the indians were not unprepared, and for a time their defense told terribly against our ranks. Their main force rallied and formed in line of battle on the bluffs beyond the creek, where they were protected by rudely constructed rifle-pits, from which they maintained a steady fire until the shells from Company C's, (third (3rd) regiment) howitzers began dropping among them; when they scattered and fought each for himself in genuine indian fashion. As the battle progressed the field of carriage widened until it extended over not less than twelve (12) miles of territory. The indians who could, escaped, or secreted themselves, and by three (3) o'clock in the afternoon the carnage had ceased. It was estimated that between three and four hundred (300-400) of the indians got away with their lives. Of the balance there were neither wounded, nor prisoners. Their strength at the beginning of the action was estimated at nine hundred (900).

Their village consisted of one hundred thirty (130) Cheyenne, and with Arapahoe lodges. These, with their contents were totally destroyed. The Chiefs fought with unparalleled bravery, falling in front of their men. One of them charged alone against a force of over two hundred (200), and fell pierced with balls far in advance of his braves.

Our attack was made by five (5) battalions. The first (1st) regiment, Colonel Chivington, part of Companies; C, D, E, G, H, and K, numbering all-together about two hundred fifty (250) men, was divided into two (2) battalions; the first (1st) under command of Major Anthony, and the second (2nd) under Lieutenant Wilson, until the latter was disabled, when the command devolved upon Lieutenant Dunn. The three (3) battalions of the third (3rd), Colonel Shoup, were led respectively, by Lieutenant Colonel Bowen, Major Sayr, and Captain Cree. The action was begun by the battalion of Lieutenant Wilson, who occupied the right, and by a quick bold movement cut off the enemy from their herd of stock. From this circumstance we gained our great advantage. A few indians secured horses, but the great majority of them had to fight or flee on foot, Major Anthony was on the left, and the third (3rd) in the centre.

The Indian camp was well supplied with defensive works. For half a mile along the creek there was an almost continuous chain of rifle-pits, and another similar line of works crowned the adjacent bluff. Pits had been dug at all the salient points for miles. After the battle twenty-three (23) dead indians were taken from one of the pits, and twenty-seven (27) from another.

Among the killed were all the Cheyenne Chiefs; Black Kettle, White Antelope, Little Robe, Left Hand, Knock Knee, One Eye, and another whose name isn't known. Not a single prominent man of the tribe remains, and the tribe itself is almost annihilated. The Arapahoes probably suffered but little, and even though reports show that Chief Left Hand of that tribe was killed, Colonel Chivington is of the opinion that he was not.