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| 3rd Colorado Cavalry Regiment | |
|---|---|
 The unit at the Sand Creek massacre | |
| Active | August 20, 1864 – December 31, 1864 |
| Disbanded | December 31, 1864 |
| Country | .svg){kind=small} United States |
| Allegiance | Union |
| Branch | Cavalry |
| Garrison/HQ | Denver, Colorado |
| Nickname(s) | Bloodless Third |
| Engagements | American Civil War |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Colonel George L. Shoup Colonel John M. Chivington (as District commander) |
The 3rd Colorado Cavalry Regiment was a Union Army unit formed in the mid-1860s when increased traffic on the United States emigrant trails and settler encroachment resulted in numerous attacks against them by the Cheyenne and Arapaho. The Hungate massacre and the display in Denver of mutilated victims raised political pressure for the government to protect its people. Governor John Evans sought and gained authorization from the War Department in Washington to found the Third. More a militia than a military unit, the "Bloodless Third" was composed of "100-daysers," that is, volunteers who signed on for 100 days to fight against the Indians. (Its nickname came from its lack of battle experience.) The unit's only commander was Col. George L. Shoup, a politician from Colorado.[1][2] The regiment was assigned to the District of Colorado commanded by Col. John M. Chivington.