When we came in sight of the camp I saw the American flag waving and heard Black Kettle tell the Indians to stand around the flag, and there they were huddled—men, women, and children. This was
when we were within fifty yards of the Indians. I also saw a white flag raised. These flags were in so
conspicuous a position that they must have been seen. When the troops fired the Indians ran, some of
the men into their lodges, probably to get their arms. They had time to get away if they had wanted
to. . . . After the firing the warriors put the squaws and children together, and surrounded them to
protect them. I saw five squaws under a bank for shelter. When the troops came up to them they ran
out and showed their persons to let the soldiers know they were squaws and begged for mercy, but
the soldiers shot them all. . . . There seemed to be indiscriminate slaughter of men, women, and
children. . . . The squaws offered no resistance. Everyone I saw dead was scalped.

Testimony of Robert Bent, Colorado rancher, before a U. S. Senate Committee, 1867

3. The excerpt best serves as evidence of which of the following?

a. The rise of a major, often violent nativist movement in the United States
b. The new economic opportunities sought by Asian, African American, and white
peoples in the West
c. The altering of American Indian self-sufficiency due to interaction with the U. S.
government.
d. The efforts of the U. S. government to end American Indian tribal identities
through assimilation.