The majority of the people killed were women, children, and the elderly.

Many tried to escape by running up the sandy creek bed; some dug into the banks for shelter.

The soldiers pursued them, killing them in the creek bed.

Some Cheyenne warriors organized a defense that slowed the attack and allowed some of the camp to escape.

Black Kettle fled with his wife.

His wife was shot multiple times as they fled.

He managed to get her out alive, though she had been shot at least nine times.