Congressional Testimony of Mr. John S. Smith
Washington, March 14, 1865



Question: Do you know the reason for that attack on the Indians?

Answer: I do not know any exact reason. I have heard a great many reasons given. I have heard that that whole Indian war had been brought on for selfish purposes. Colonel Chivington was running for Congress in Colorado, and there were other things of that kind; and last spring a year ago he was looking for an order to go to the front, and I understand he had this Indian war in view to retain himself and his troops in that country, to carry out his electioneering purposes.

Question: In what way did this attack on the Indians further the purpose of Colonel Chivington?

Answer: It was said - I did not hear him say it myself, but it was said that he would do something; he had this regiment of three-months men, and did not want them to go out without doing some service.

Question: Were the women and children slaughtered indiscriminately, or only so far as they were with the warriors?

Answer: Indiscriminately.

Question: Were there any acts of barbarity perpetrated there that came under your own observation?

Answer: Yes, sir; I saw the bodies of those lying there cut all to pieces, worse mutilated than any I ever saw before; the women cut all to pieces.

By Mr. Buckalew:
Question. How cut?

Answer: With knives; scalped; their brains knocked out; children two or three months old; all ages lying there, from sucking infants up to warriors.

By Mr. Gooch:
Question: Did you see it done?

Answer: Yes, sir; I saw them fall.

Question: Fall when they were killed?

Answer: Yes, sir.

Question: Did you see them when they were mutilated?

Answer: Yes, sir.

Question: By whom were they mutilated?

Answer: By the United States troops.

Question: Do you know whether or not it was done by the direction or consent of any of the officers.

Answer: I do not; I hardly think it was.

By Mr. Buckalew
Question: What was the date of that massacre?

Answer: On the 29th of November last.

Question: Were there any other barbarities or atrocities committed there other than those you have mentioned, that you saw?

Answer: Yes, sir; I had a half-breed son there, who gave himself up. He started at the time the Indians fled; being a half-breed he had but little hope of being spared, and seeing them fire at me, he ran away with the Indians for the distance of about a mile. During the fight up there he walked back to my camp and went into the lodge. It was surrounded by soldiers at the time. He came in quietly and sat down; he remained there that day, that night, and the next day in the afternoon; about four o'clock in the evening, as I was sitting inside the camp, a soldier came up outside of the lodge and called me by name. I got up and went out; he took me by the arm and walked towards Colonel Chivington's camp, which was about sixty yards from my camp. Said he, "I am sorry to tell you, but they are going to kill your son Jack." I knew the feeling towards the whole camp of Indians, and that there was no use to make any resistance. I said, "I can't help it." I then walked on towards where Colonel Chivington was standing by his camp-fire; when I had got within a few feet of him I heard a gun fired, and saw a crowd run to my lodge, and they told me that Jack was dead.

By Mr: Gooch:
Question. Were there any other Indians or half-breeds there at that time?

Answer: Yes, sir; Mr. Bent had three sons there; one employed as a guide for these troops at the time, and two others living there in the village
with the Indians; and a Mr. Gerry had a son there.

Question: Were there any other murders after the first day's massacre?

Answer: There was none, except of my son.

Question: Were there any other atrocities which you have no mentioned?

Answer: None that I saw myself. There were two women that white men had families by ; they were saved from the fact of being in my lodge at the time. One ran to my lodge; the other was taken prisoner by a soldier who knew her and brought her to my lodge for safety. They both had children. There were some small children, six or seven years old, who were taken prisoners near the camp. I think there were three of them taken to Denver with these troops.