Julesburg in Ashes
The senseless slaughter of peaceful Cheyenne on November 29, 1864, at Sand Creek in Southeastern Colorado united the Cheyenne, Sioux and Arapaho Indians.Near here on January 7, 1865, a small band of Cheyenne Dog Soldiers attacked a stagecoach and wagon train. When news of the raid reached Camp Rankin, a small military post nearby, Captain Nicholas J. O'Brien and 37 troopers of Company F, 7th Iowa Cavalry, set out in pursuit.The war party retreated into the hills southeast of here and the soldiers followed only to find themselves nearly surrounded by over 1,000 warriors. O'Brien and his tiny command fought their way back to the Fort and regrouped, using two cannon to keep the raiders at bay. Meanwhile, the Indians moved into Julesburg, looting as they went. In all, five civilians and fifteen soldiers were killed. Over the next three weeks, nearly every stage station and ranch along the South Platte was attacked and burned.On February 2, 1865, the warriors returned to Julesburg, hoping to lure the soldiers out of the fort. When the plan failed, the Indians looted the town and torched the buildings.The first Julesburg had come to a fiery end!!
Marker is on County Route 28 6 miles west of U.S. 385, on the right when traveling west.
Courtesy hmdb.org
