Chivington dismissed the objections.

At dawn on November 29, Chivington’s force — approximately 700 soldiers, including two howitzers — surrounded the Sand Creek camp.

Black Kettle raised the American flag over his lodge.

He also raised a white flag.

He had been told explicitly that these flags would protect him.

The soldiers attacked.

The fight was not a battle in any meaningful sense.

The Cheyenne had a relatively small number of warriors, and those warriors were surprised at dawn in a camp that they believed was safe.