FORT LYON, COLORADO TERRITORY,
January 16, 1865.
Personally appeared before me Second Lieutenant W. P. Minton, first New Mexico volunteer infantry, and Lieutenant C. M. Cossitt, first cavalry of Colorado, who, after being duly sworn, say, that on the 28th day of November, 1864, Colonel J. M. Chivington, with the third regiment of Colorado cavalry (one hundred-days men) and a battalion of the first Colorado cavalry, arrived at this post, and on the 29th of November attacked a village of friendly Indians in this vicinity, and, according to representations made by others in our presence, murdered their women and children, and committed the most horrible outrages upon the dead bodies of the same; that the aforesaid Indians were recognized as friendly by all parties at this post, under the following circumstances, viz: That Major E. W. Wynkoop, formerly commander of the post, had given them assurances of safety until such time as he could hear from the commanding general of the department, in consequence of their having sued for peace, and given every evidence of their sincerity by delivering up white prisoners they had in their possession, by congregating their families together, and leaving them at the mercy of the garrison of Fort Lyon, who could have massacred them at any moment they felt disposed; that upon Major Wynkoop being relieved of the command of Fort Lyon, Colorado
Territory, and Major Scott J. Anthony assuming command of the same, it was still the understanding between Major Anthony and the Indians that they could rest in that security guaranteed them by Major E. W. Wynkoop. Also, that Colonel J. M. Chivington, on his arrival at the post of Fort Lyon, Colorado Territory, was made aware of the circumstances in regard to these Indians, from the fact that different officers remonstrated with him, and stated to him how these Indians were looked upon by the entire garrison; that notwithstanding these remonstrances, and in the face of all these facts, he committed the massacre aforementioned.