Although sentiments were somewhat divided in the early days of the war, Colorado was a Union territory. So when President Lincoln called for volunteers to supplement the regular army, Colorado responded with nearly 4,000 men serving in one of three volunteer regiments and hundreds more in militia units.

Many Southerners had moved there to seek their fortunes in the gold mines or to homestead ranches. Many others had moved there to escape what they perceived to be the inevitable conflict. Just as many immigrants from other countries had moved there to work in the mines, set up businesses to profit from these new settlers, or help develop towns along the western trails which later were followed by the railroads. Even fugitive slaves and free blacks moved to the new territory to escape harsh treatment back east. But the Confederates were anxious to acquire assets from the gold and silver mines as well as the bountiful cattle ranches. Southern-born or not, these miners and ranchers chose to defend their high paying jobs and personal assets and they made up the majority of the volunteer Union troops from the Territory. Colorado was the only United States Territory with active troops in the Civil War.

Colorado's military history is somewhat unusual, in that two of its three cavalry regiments were formed from previously existing infantry regiments. The 1st Regiment Colorado Volunteer Infantry was organized by the territory's first governor, William Gilpin, at Camp Weld near Denver between August 26 and December 14, 1861. Their first colonel was John P. Slough, who resigned in April, 1862, and was replaced by Major John Chivington. The regiment's first and only lieutenant colonel was Samuel F. Tappan.

The purpose of this regiment was initially to protect pioneer wagon and supply trains from Indians. Nicknamed "Gilpin's Pet Lamb's, 3 companies were sent to Ft. Wise (later Ft. Lyon), where they remained on duty until March, 1862, when they were marched to Ft. Union in New Mexico Territory. There they were reunited with the rest of the regiment which had previously marched there from Ft. Lyon on February 22, 1862. The 1st Colorado Infantry participated in battles at Valverde, Albuquerque, Apache Canyon, Pigeon's Ranch (also called La Glorietta Pass), and at Peralta. In November, 1862, the 1st Colorado was mounted and redesignated the 1st Colorado Cavalry. Mounted troops were more mobile to operate against Indians and to protect stage and freight routes. The new regiment was attached to the District of Colorado, District of the Upper Arkansas and District of the Plains until November, 1865. It was stationed by detachments at Denver, Camp Collins, Curtis, Fillmore, Robbins, Weld, Canon City, Ft. Lyon and Ft. Garland.

Service: Skirmish at Grand Pass, Ft. Halleck, Idaho July 7, 1863 (detachment); expedition from Denver to Republican River in Kansas April 8 - 23, 1864 (Co. D); skirmish near Fremont Orchard, Colorado April 12 (Cos. C and H); expedition from Camp Sanborn to Beaver Creek, Kansas April 14-18 (Cos. C, H); skirmish at Big Bushes and Smoky Hills April 16 (Cos. C, H); skirmish at Cedar Bluff, Colorado May 3 (Co. C); scout from American Ranch to Cedar Bluff May 9-10; scout from Ft. Sumner August 3-November 4 (Cos. A, B, G); scout from Ft. Union, New Mexico Territory August 4-September 5; affair near Ft. Lyon August 7; skirmish near Sand Creek August 11 (Cos. D, G, K, L); scout on Ft. Union Road near Ft. Garland August 12-16 (detachment); skirmish at Atkin's Ranch August 22; skirmish at Walnut Creek, Kansas September 25 (Cos. L,M); skirmish at Ft. Lyon October 9; affair near Ft. Lyon November 6-16 and Pawnee Forks November 25 (Co. I); major engagement with Cheyenne Indians at Sand Creek (Sand Creek or Chivington's Massacre) November 29 (Cos. C, D, E, G, H, K); at Ft. Zarah, Kansas August to October then at Ft. Garland (Co. B); skirmishes at Valley Station and Julesburg January 7, 1865; operations on Overland Stage Route between Denver and Julesburg January 14-25 (Co. C); skirmish at Valley Station January 14 (Co. C); skirmish at Godfrey's Ranch January 14 (detachment); skirmishes at Morrison's or American Ranch and Wisconsin Ranch January 15; at Point of Rocks or Nine Mile Ridge near Ft. Larned, Kansas January 20; Gittrell's Ranch January 25; Moore's Ranch January 26; Lillian Springs Ranch January 27; near Valley Station January 28 (Co. C); operations against Indians near Ft. Collins June 4-10 (Co. D); expedition from Denver to Ft. Halleck, Dakota Territory June 17-19 (Co. D), operations at Rock Creek Station and Seven Mile Creek, Dakota Territory June 24-30 (Cos. A,D); mustered out at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas November 18, 1865.

The 2nd Regiment Colorado Volunteer Infantry was raised primarily to protect mining and ranching interests. Colonel Jesse H. Leavenworth, son of Colonel Henry Leavenworth for whom Fort Leavenworth was named, was charged on February 17, 1862, with the duty of raising six companies of volunteer infantry in the Colorado Territory. Their primary charge was to deal with Indian issues affecting the westward migration and to protect the supply trains to Denver and the mining areas of Colorado. Most recruits came from Ft. Garland, Canon City, Ft. Lyon and Denver. The first four companies already existed as independent companies of volunteer militia.

The first company, Company A, also called Dodd's Independent Company, was under the command of Captain Theodore H. Dodd, who was 31 years old at the time. Born originally in Ohio, he had gone to the gold fields in the late 1850s to seek his fortune. After Governor Gilpin issued a call to arms in the fall of 1861, Dodd raised his company of miners in and around Canon City.

The second company, Company B, also called Ford's Independent Company, was organized between August and December, 1861, under Captain James H. Ford. This company left Canon City on December 12 and arrived at Ft. Garland on December 21, where it mustered in three days later.

The third and fourth independent companies were mounted cavalry units organized under Captains Backus and Sexton from men in and around Nevada City, Denver, Golden, and Central City between September 1 and December 1, 1861. These troops took up headquarters at Camp Weld, near Denver, when the 1st Colorado went to New Mexico Territory. These troops were at one time ordered to New Mexico but were recalled when the Texans retreated. When the 1st Colorado Infantry became the 1st Colorado Cavalry in November, 1862, these two companies were attached to the 1st Colorado and left for Ft. Union, New Mexico Territory. There they were involved in the capture of the Green Russell party on its way to Georgia and took part in actions against hostile Navajo Indians.

Colonel Leavenworth did not reach Denver to begin the work of recruiting until May 12, 1862. In addition to the four previously mentioned companies that already existed, he raised an additional six companies. Dodd became Lt. Colonel and Ford Major of the 2nd Colorado Infantry regiment. Recruiting was slow as men with jobs were drawing good wages, much better than solder’s pay. On August 21, 1862, an appeal was made in the Denver Weekly Commonwealth, offering a monetary inducement, urging men to hold up Colorado’s name, and not to make necessary a draft to fill the new regiment. But so few were the recruits that during the summer of 1862, when Ft. Wise was in danger from marauding parties, the volunteers of the different companies formed one company and marched to the relief of the fort. On their return, they were restored to their original companies.

In the summer of 1862, Col. Leavenworth felt the need for a battery of artillery. He instructed W.D. McLain to enlist a company, although he had no authority to do so. Artillery recruits came faster than infantry troops as the training was less rigorous. Work in recruiting this company was temporary halted when knowledge of this unauthorized unit was learned in Washington. All officers were thereupon discharged, but all were subsequently restored to their former positions when it became apparent that more troops would be needed in Missouri and Kansas. This company was mustered in for three years on December 15, 1862, in Denver. It was attached to and remained with the 2nd Colorado after the summer of 1864 until it mustered out in August, 1865.

By August 1862, only two-thirds of the 2nd Colorado Regiment had been enlisted. The incomplete companies left Ft. Weld for Ft. Lyon in August and the recruiting stations continued to operate. The companies remained relatively inactive at. Ft. Lyon until April, 1863.

The nucleus of the 2nd Colorado Infantry, Captain Dodd’s and Captain Ford’s companies, were already formed, complete and the first volunteers to leave the territory. Their work in New Mexico was important. These units served at Ft. Garland from December 1861 to February 4, 1862, when they were marched to Santa Fe, Mexico Territory, arriving there on March 4. From March 5 to March 11, they were in route to Ft. Union.

Dodd’s Company marched from Ft. Union to Ft. Craig in Mexico Territory to rush to the aid of Lt. Colonel E. R. S. Canby and the 1st Colorado, already engaged there against Confederate forces of General Joseph Shelby and his Texans, and participated in a skirmish there on February 20. The following day, they fought in the battle at Valverde, February 21, 1862. This company was at the northern end of the lines at the decisive battle. They then participated in the evacuation of Albuquerque and Santa Fe on March 3-4, and at Peralta on April 15, 1862.

Ford’s Company fought with the 1st Colorado in 1862 at Apache Canyon on March 26, at Pigeon Ranch or La Glorietta Pass on March 28, at Albuquerque on April 8, at Peralta on April 15, and again at Apache Canyon on July 15.

These two companies were later stationed at Ft. Craig, then to Ft. Marcy at Santa Fe, and then at Ft. Union and assigned garrison duty. They received their orders to report to Ft. Lyon in January, 1863. They reached Ft. Lyon in the latter part of April, joining for the first time the remaining companies of the 2nd Colorado Infantry. The companies now received their letter designation in the new regiment. Dodd‘s Independent Company became Company A and Ford‘s Independent Company became Company B. Colonel Leavenworth retained his position as regimental commander. In February, 1862, Dodd was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and Ford was made Major of the regiment. In addition to these four existing companies mentioned, the other companies were Company E under J.N. Smith, Company F under L.D. Rouell, Company G under ___ Howard, Company H under George West, Company I under E.D. Boyd, and Company K under W.W. Wagner.

With the call for additional troops, the governor was authorized by President Lincoln to appoint Colonel William Larimer, one of the founders of Denver, to organize the 3rd Regiment of Colorado Volunteer Infantry. This unit was organized at Denver and Camp Weld between September 1863 and January, 1864, but with only 100 day enlistments. With the competition for recruits in three regiments, Larimer was only able to complete five companies and a part of a sixth. He resigned in December, 1862, and was replaced as colonel by James H. Ford, then the first Major of the 2nd Colorado Infantry. The incomplete regiment was attached to the District of Colorado until March 1863, when they were marched to the District of Southeast Missouri. They remained there until October 1863.

In May, 1863, Lt. Col. Dodd was ordered to report at Ft. Leavenworth with a detachment of the 2nd Colorado Infantry, made up of Companies A, B, E, G, H, and I.

Soon after Dodd and his detachment left Ft. Lyon, Company F under Colonel Leavenworth was ordered to Ft. Larned, Kansas to protect the Arkansas River route as well as the Santa Fe Trail. Colonel Leavenworth became camp commander at Ft. Larned. Soon after their arrival, Colonel Leavenworth resigned. He became an Indian agent, negotiating the release of captured whites from the Indians and earned their respect and trust.

On May 14, the entire regiment was ordered to Council Grove and in August was sent to Kansas City, upon receiving news of the burning of Lawrence. At this time, two well known guerilla leaders, Quantrill and Shelby, were causing much trouble in Kansas and Missouri. Company F under Captain Rouell participated in the pursuit of the raiders.

On their way to Ft. Leavenworth, Lt. Colonel Dodd’s detachment had their orders countermanded and they were ordered to proceed from Ft. Riley to Ft. Scott to escort supply trains to Ft. Gibson in the northeast part of the Choctaw Nation. Three companies of the 2nd Colorado participated in a battle at Cabin Creek on July 2. A battalion under Major J.N. Smith participated in a battle at Elk Creek near Honey Springs, on July 17. In that battle, the Union troops under General Blunt were greatly outnumbered but they routed the Confederates, sustaining five killed and fourteen wounded. They returned to Ft. Gibson on July 19. On August 20, they started in pursuit of Steele, who had the combined Confederate forces of Cabell, Cooper and Stand Waite, a combined force of 9,000. On the approach of Blunt's forces of 4,500 men, they dispersed. About 5,000 of the confederates went to Perryville, Choctaw Nation, and the Federals pursued them, taking the town after a short skirmish on the night of August 25. Cabell retired toward the Red River. Some of the 2nd Colorado followed McIntosh to within 30 miles of the Red River whiles others followed Cabell. By mid September, all of the forces under General Blunt were in Ft. Smith, Arkansas.

Many Missouri and Kansas units had by this time had been transferred to Tennessee and Mississippi. In response to the vacancy left by these units and increased guerilla activity by remaining Confederates in the state, the 2nd Colorado Infantry was ordered in November, 1863, to report to Benton Barracks, St. Louis, where they arrived by mid December. Here they were ordered consolidated with the incomplete Companies F, G, H, and K of the 3rd Colorado Infantry into the 2nd Colorado Cavalry. Commanding this reorganized regiment were Col. James Ford of the 3rd Colorado and Lt. Col. Theodore Dodd from the 2nd Colorado. On November 26, 1863, the new 2nd was marched to Ft. Riley, Kansas, for supplies and then to Kansas City, Missouri, to respond to the new campaign of Gen. Sterling Price to retake Missouri.

In January, 1864, the 2nd Colorado Cavalry was ordered to the Missouri border counties of Jackson, Bates and Cass to reinforce troops under threat from bushwhackers. By April, increased Indian problems fueled by the Sand Creek Massacre prompted then Governor Evans to attempt to recall the 2nd Colorado back to the Territory. But with General Sterling Price’s Campaign to retake Missouri now a major threat of succeeding, this was denied. The 2nd Colorado was assigned to the Union force raised to repel the invasion. The unit saw almost constant fighting in Missouri against both regular Confederate forces and guerrillas operating along the Kansas/Missouri border. It was involved in major battles at Lexington, Little Blue River, Big Blue, Westport, La Cygne, Mine Creek, and Newtonia and many other skirmishes. Many Colorado troops are buried in Independence, Excelsior Springs and other area cemeteries. The 2nd Colorado met Price’s forces for the last time in the battle at Fayetteville, Arkansas in November, 1864. A more detailed history of its activities can be found on one of the links on this site.

In December, 1864, the 2nd Colorado was moved to Ft. Leavenworth, where Colonel Ford, with the brevet rank of Brigadier General, commanded the military District of the Upper Arkansas. As the first companies of the unit began to muster out in December, the remaining troops were transferred to Ft. Riley to protect wagon trains and stage coaches on the Santa Fe Trail. Detachments were also assigned to Ft. Zarah, Ft. Ellsworth, and Ft. Larned in Kansas. After the Civil War, some detachments served in Colorado and New Mexico. The 2nd was decommissioned in 1869. Dodd was honorably discharged by reason of expiration of term of service on January 10, 1865. He was named brevet Colonel on March 13, 1865.

The 3rd Colorado Cavalry was raised in the summer of 1864 to relieve the 2nd Colorado of Governor’s Evan’s request to return for Indian duty. This regiment existed for only 100 days. Most of this unit consisted of companies of the 3rd Colorado Infantry recruited after the remainder of the regiment left for Missouri. Though a volunteer unit authorized by the War Department, its makeup, training and equipment were little better than a militia unit. Colonel George Shoup took command of this new regiment in October, 1864. He had been a 1st Lieutenant in the 1st Colorado Cavalry.

Colonel Chivington of the 1st Colorado had been ordered to use the 3rd Colorado before its enlistments ran out. Company G was stationed at Camp Baxter, Company A at Camp Cass, Companies B, E, I, K, L and M at Camp Elbert, Company F at Junction Station, Company C at Latham Station, Company B at old Ft. Lupton, and Company D at Valley Station. Two companies were stationed on the Platte River Trail. In late November, the remaining 10 companies along with detachments from the 1st Colorado under Colonel Chivington traveled in great secrecy to Ft. Lyon. There they attached another 125 men from the 1st Colorado Cavalry and a section of artillery.

The enlistment papers from some of the companies of the 1st Colorado were expiring in January, 1865 and reenlisting troops were formed into the 1st Colorado Cavalry Veteran Volunteers under Colonel Samuel Tappan. This battalion actually had 6 companies and remained part of the 1st Colorado under Colonel Chivington. Troops from this unit are generally considered to have started the Indian War of 1864 by attacking a party of Cheyenne at Fremont’s Orchard in April. Thereafter detachments of that unit met Cheyenne and Arapahoe warriors throughout the rest of that year. Traffic on the Platte River Trail came to a halt as tribes retaliated and by late summer, Denver was totally cut off from the east.

In September several chiefs from the Cheyenne and Arapahoe came to Denver in attempt to make peace. This Camp Weld meeting was spurned by Governor Evans who turned the matter over to Chivington. The Indians were told to camp along the Sand Creek. 500-600 Cheyenne Indians under Black Kettle had submitted to authorities there. Colonel Chivington led a joint march of 650 troops from the 1st and 3rd with artillery support to the camp. Despite a Union flag and white flag being flown by Chief Black Kettle, the troops attacked, killing 123 Cheyenne men, women and children. The troops sustained 70 casualties. This incident sparked the Indian wars that lasted through 1877. The battles near Julesburg were some of the initial retaliations by the Indians for this incident. Companies of the 1st Colorado Cavalry later took part in General Patrick Connor’s Powder River Campaign in the spring of 1865. The 1st Colorado was later assigned to the Dakota Territory where it saw its last action with a minor skirmish at Rock Creek.

Colonel Chivington’s enlistment expired in September, 1864, but he did not muster out until January 1865, after the Sand Creek incident. He was replaced by Colonel Thomas Moonlight of the 11th Kansas Cavalry. Moonlight ordered an investigation into Chivington’s actions at Sand Creek, conducted by officers of the 1st Colorado Cavalry. In addition a joint committee of the U.S. Congress conducted its own investigation. Despite his early successful engagements against Confederates in New Mexico and Colorado, Chivington passed into history condemned for all time as the author of the Sand Creek Massacre. Though evidence supports blame enough to go around among others in authority, most of the blame is historically given to Colonel Chivington. There are many articles on this incident and the histories of these regiments can also be found on other links in this site.

Bibliography:

“The Second Colorado Cavalry in the Civil War”,
Blanche V. Adams, 1930, Colorado State Archives

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