Raid on Godfrey Ranch

Part of the Colorado War

Date	January 15, 1865
Location	Colorado Territory
Result	American victory Indians retreat

Belligerents

United States

Lakota
Cheyenne

Commanders and leaders

Holon Godfrey

Unknown

Strength

3 men consisting of Godfrey and his ranch hands

130 warriors

Casualties and losses

None

17 killed

The Raid on Godfrey Ranch occurred from January 15–16, 1865 in which a large band of Lakota and Cheyenne warriors attacked an isolated ranch in Colorado owned by Holon Godfrey. The raid was one of the numerous January raids by the Cheyennes and its Indian allies during the Colorado War, and a retaliation for the Sand Creek massacre that happened on November 29, 1864. The Indians first attacked the neighboring American Ranch in which a white family and some of their workers perished before setting their sights on Godfrey's ranch nearby. Godfrey learned of the Indian's upcoming attack and so he fortified his ranch together with his family and employees. At night, the Indians which consisted of over 130 warriors, surrounded and attacked Godfrey's ranch. The ranchers inside managed to hold off the Indian attack the whole night. By morning, one of Godfrey's ranch hands managed to sneak out of the siege and call for help from the U.S. cavalry which forced the Indians to finally retreat. The ranch, though burned and having lost some of its horses, was still standing and Godfrey's last stand was successful.

The attack was part of a larger conflict in Colorado between white settlers and its native Indians tribes. Tension arose when both parties started arming themselves because of their distrust to one another. The Indians who sided with the Dog Soldiers society, started raiding military outposts and settlements throughout the territory. In retaliation, a Colorado militia consisting of white volunteers, attacked a Cheyenne village that killed over 200 Indians, including women and children setting up much of the duration of the war. The Indians further increased their raids, not just attacking military outposts but also civilian settlements, focusing much of it on the Colorado ranching business. Ranches, farms and cattle drives were soon raided upon in just a span of a month. The raids weren't just a retaliation in the Indian's part, they were also important for them to gather resources such as horses to supply their cause.

Holon Godfrey heard of the Indian's warpath coming near them, after a raid in American Ranch occurred a night before that killed almost an entire family of white settlers. Godfrey quickly took action to fortify his ranch so as to not suffer the same fate. He surrounded the place with 6-foot tall adobe walls and fireports, as well as well-placed shooting nests and bucket brigades in case of fire. Together with his wife, cowboys and others who sought refuge, they prepared themselves to stand their ground.

...
Wikipedia