Silas Soule’s Testimony

Background: Rumors of atrocities at Sand Creek led the U.S. Senate to launch an inquiry into the actions of the military. The investigation lasted seventy-six days and generated hundreds of pages of testimony from soldiers, civilians, and Indians. Below is an excerpt from testimony of Captain Silas Soule, who kept him men from participating in the killing spree and widely denounced Chivington’s leadership.

SEVENTH DAY.

FEBRUARY 16, 1865--9½ a. m.

Captain Silas S. Soule, veteran battalion first Colorado cavalry, recalled by the commission, and, in presence of J. M. Chivington, testified as follows:

Question. Was any demand made upon the Indians prior to the attack, and any attention paid to their signs that they were friends?

Answer. Not to my knowledge.

Question. Were the women and children shot while attempting to escape by Colonel

Chivington's command?

Answer. They were.

Question. Were the women and children followed while attempting to escape, shot down and scalped, and otherwise mutilated, by any of Colonel Chivington's command?

Answer. They were.

Question. Were any efforts made by the commanding officers, Colonels Chivington, Shoup, and Major Anthony, to prevent these mutilations?

Answer. Not that I know of.

Commission adjourned until 9½ a. m. to-morrow, February 17, 1865.

EIGHTH DAY. (Soule continued)

FEBRUARY 17, 1865--9.30 a. m.

Question. Did you witness any scalping and otherwise mutilating of the dead during and

after the engagement on Sand creek?

Answer. I did.

Question. Did you see any officer engage in this business of scalping and mutilating the

dead?

Answer. I cannot say that I did.

Question. Were any prisoners taken by Colonel Chivington's command? If so, what was done with them?

Answer. There were three squaws taken, son of Colonel Bent, John Smith's son, and two children with the squaws. Smith's son was killed in camp. I took Bent's son with me. Sent him to Fort Lyon. The squaws went to Fort Lyon at the time the command went back from Sand creek. There were two other prisoners besides those--two children. They were kept by the third regiment. They are now in the mountains. . . .

Question. On your second visit to Sand creek, did you find that the dead had been scalped and otherwise mutilated?

Answer. I did.

Question. All of them--men, women, and children?

Answer. All, with the exception of Jack Smith, (old man Smith's son,) and one squaw that was burnt in a lodge. I could not tell whether she was scalped or not.

Question. Did you discover any indications of rifle-pits or earthworks that had been thrown up by the Indians prior to the attack on the 29th of November?

Answer. I didn't then see any that were thrown up by the Indians at that time. I saw holes under the banks in the sand that I think were dug the day of the fight. . .  .

Question. Had the Indians committed any depredations in the vicinity of Fort Lyon, and on the road to Larned, during the three months prior to the 29th of November?

Answer. Not to my knowledge.

Source: “Sand Creek Massacre” – United States Congress, Senate.  Report of the Secretary of War, Sand Creek Massacre, Sen. Exec. Doc. No. 26, 39 Cong., 2 sess. Washington, Government Printing Office, 1867.