Many people think the state of Colorado was not involved in the Civil War. That is not completely true but Colorado did not play any very important parts in the war. However this seemingly remote state far west actually was involved with battles and had famous generals lead the Colorado territory. Colorado became a U.S. territory on February 28, 1861, and eventually became a state on August 1, 1876. The territory was useful not only to the Unions being a Union state but it also helped the Confederacy with supplying men. The territory also helped with gaining full control of mineral resources for the Unions from the Rocky Mountains. The state of Colorado is located west of the U.S. and has the shape of a rectangle. The state itself is connected with Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona forming the known four corners.
Reverend Colonel John Milton Chivington was a major in Governor William Gilpin's 1st Colorado Volunteer fighters and was recognized after the battle of La Glorieta Pass. Chivington, however, wanted more attention so he made trouble with peaceful Indians who were supposed to be under the protection of the federal
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The actually battle that took place in the state was called the Sand Creek Massacre. This was however not really a battle but a massacre from the name. This massacre started with the Indians and the tension between the white settlers. Chivington wanting more attention used this to give an excuse to attack the supposedly protected Indians from attacks by the federal government. Chivington still attacked even when there was an American and a white flag hanging above the camp. They killed 200 Indians and two-thirds were thought to be women and children. Chivington was eventually found out and fired from his position. This was a Union win but really had no effect on the