18. Soule testified that he protested the attack to an officer junior to Chivington
Although the overwhelming number of sources describing the life of Silas Soule claim that he protested the attack on Sand Creek directly to Chivington, his testimony in Denver did not. He testified that he protested to his own commanding officer, Major Anthony of the 1st Colorado Volunteers. He also described Chivington’s direct command splitting across the creek, putting each other under friendly fire during the attack. He stated that women and children, attempting to escape, were shot and killed by Chivington’s men, after which many were scalped and mutilated. Asked if Chivington intervened to stop them, he testified, “Not that I know of”.
Soule testified before the Court of Inquiry for ten days, answering questions with Chivington present in the room, and often over the latter’s objections. After the Court completed its questioning, he was submitted to cross-examination by Chivington. He was then re-examined by the Court to clear up issues which had arisen during the cross-examination. During his re-examination, he stated, in response to a question about the attack, “I believed until the firing commenced that we would not attack the village”. His testimony ended on February 21, 1865.