Battle of Milk Creek, Colorado
The Battle of Milk Creek, Colorado, stands as a stark reminder of the tumultuous relationship between the United States government and Native American tribes during the late 19th century. It was a clash born from broken treaties, cultural misunderstandings, and the relentless westward expansion that defined the era. This engagement, occurring on the same day as the tragic Meeker Massacre, underscored the escalating tensions brewing on the White River Reservation in northwestern Colorado and the desperate struggle of the Ute people to preserve their way of life.
On September 29, 1879, a column of approximately 150 to 200 U.S. Army troops, led by Major Thomas T. Thornburgh, departed from Fort Fred Steele in Wyoming with orders to march toward the White River Agency. The agency was located on the Ute tribe’s White River Reservation. The purpose of the troop movement remains a subject of historical debate, with some arguing it was a show of force intended to intimidate the Ute and enforce government policies, while others contend it was a response to escalating concerns about potential unrest following the Meeker Massacre. Regardless of the specific intent, the presence of armed soldiers marching toward the reservation was viewed with suspicion and hostility by the Ute people.
As the soldiers approached the reservation, they were ambushed approximately 18 miles from the agency, near Milk Creek. A force of Ute warriors, estimated to number between 200 and 300, launched a surprise attack, catching the soldiers off guard. The terrain surrounding Milk Creek, characterized by rolling hills, brush-filled canyons, and strategic ridges, provided the Ute with a distinct advantage. They were intimately familiar with the landscape and able to utilize it effectively for concealment and tactical maneuvering.
The initial assault was fierce and devastating. The Ute warriors, armed with rifles and possessing a deep understanding of guerilla warfare tactics, inflicted heavy casualties on the advancing soldiers. Major Thornburgh, the commanding officer, was among the first to fall, along with several other officers and enlisted men. The suddenness and intensity of the attack threw the army column into disarray.
In the face of overwhelming odds, the remaining soldiers, under the command of Captain Lawson, quickly formed a defensive wagon corral. They circled their wagons, creating a makeshift fortification to protect themselves from the relentless Ute assault. The wagon corral provided some degree of cover, but it also effectively trapped the soldiers in a low-lying area, making them vulnerable to fire from the surrounding ridges. Realizing the gravity of their situation, Captain Lawson dispatched a messenger with an urgent plea for reinforcements.
The Battle of Milk Creek, Colorado, quickly evolved into a prolonged siege. The Ute warriors, maintaining their positions on the high ground, kept the soldiers pinned down within the wagon corral. The fighting was intense and continuous, with both sides exchanging gunfire throughout the day and night. The soldiers, facing dwindling supplies and mounting casualties, endured harsh conditions, including exposure to the elements and a lack of clean water.
Adding to the drama of the Battle of Milk Creek, Colorado, a contingent of 35 African American cavalrymen, known as Buffalo Soldiers, stationed at Fort Lewis, Colorado, embarked on a daring mission to break through the Ute lines and reinforce their beleaguered comrades. The Buffalo Soldiers, renowned for their bravery and resilience, faced immense challenges as they navigated the treacherous terrain and encountered heavy resistance from the Ute warriors. Despite suffering significant losses, they managed to reach the wagon corral, bolstering the defense and providing much-needed relief.
However, the arrival of the Buffalo Soldiers was not enough to break the siege. The Ute warriors continued to maintain their positions, effectively preventing the soldiers from escaping or receiving further reinforcements. The Battle of Milk Creek, Colorado, raged on for nearly a week, with both sides locked in a deadly stalemate.
Finally, on October 5th, a relief column of approximately 20 officers and 234 men of the 5th Cavalry, led by Colonel Wesley Merritt, arrived from Fort D.A. Russell, Wyoming. The arrival of the reinforcements significantly altered the balance of power. The Ute warriors, realizing they were now outmatched and facing a much larger and better-equipped force, decided to withdraw from the battlefield.
The Battle of Milk Creek, Colorado, resulted in significant casualties on both sides. Thirteen soldiers, including Major Thornburgh, lost their lives, and another 43 were wounded. At least 19 Ute Indians were killed, though some estimates place the number much higher. The battle had a profound impact on the Ute people and the surrounding region.
In the aftermath of the Battle of Milk Creek, Colorado, the U.S. government took decisive action to assert its authority and punish those deemed responsible for the conflict. Several Ute leaders were arrested and imprisoned, and the tribe was forcibly removed from their ancestral lands in northwestern Colorado and placed on a new reservation in Utah. This displacement marked a tragic chapter in the history of the Ute people, as they were forced to abandon their traditional way of life and adapt to a new and unfamiliar environment.
Today, the battlefield site in Moffat County, Colorado, serves as a poignant reminder of the Battle of Milk Creek, Colorado. Located on an unimproved road about 20 miles northeast of Meeker, the site retains much of its original character. The brush-lined canyon, where the fighting took place, appears much as it did in 1879. A monument stands as a solemn tribute to the soldiers who lost their lives in the battle, their names etched in stone.
The Battle of Milk Creek, Colorado, is more than just a historical event; it is a symbol of the complex and often tragic relationship between the United States government and Native American tribes during the era of westward expansion. It serves as a reminder of the human cost of conflict and the importance of understanding and respecting different cultures and perspectives. The echoes of gunfire may have faded, but the lessons of Milk Creek continue to resonate, urging us to strive for a more just and equitable future. The engagement, while relatively small in scale compared to other conflicts of the Indian Wars, had significant consequences. It further eroded trust between the Ute people and the U.S. government, contributing to a legacy of resentment and mistrust that would persist for generations.