12. The Indian uprisings in 1864
During the summer of 1864, Cheyenne, Arapaho, and small bands of Sioux warriors raided settlements and attacked stages carrying the mail west of Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Mail and gold shipments from Denver to the east were also subject to Indian attacks. Throughout the summer settlements in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, and the Dakotas were subject to Indian raids, more than three dozen settlers were killed, and numerous women and children were taken as hostages. By the end of the summer, the largest band of Cheyenne and Arapaho were camped on a site along the Smoky Hill River. It was approached by a force of Union troops from Fort Lyon, with Wynkoop in command and Soule included among their number.
The expedition from Fort Lyon wanted to negotiate peace with the Indians, rather than deal with them militarily, but was prepared to do the latter if the Indians proved intractable. Soule was assigned to escort seven of the tribal leaders to Denver, to have their grievances addressed by the territorial governor, John Evans, and Colonel John Chivington. Despite agreeing to cease raiding, the raids by bands of Cheyenne and Arapaho throughout the western territories continued, and the settlers demanded action from the government as several ranches and farms were destroyed by roving bands.