1st Colorado Cavalry

The 1st Colorado Cavalry was formed in 1862 by Territorial Governor John Evans, composed mostly of members of the 1st Colorado Infantry and of C and D Companies of the 2nd Colorado Infantry. It was formed both to protect Colorado against incursions from the Confederate forces and to fight the Native Americans who already inhabited the area.

Command of this unit was given Colonel John Chivington, who had distinguished himself at the Battle of Glorietta Pass in the New Mexico Territory early in 1862, against Confederate forces.

The 1st Colorado Cavalry would go on under Chivington to perpetrate one of the most shameful slaughters of American Indians in history, the Sand Creek Massacre.

Read more about 1st Colorado Cavalry:  Sand Creek Massacre

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