Top 10 Catastrophes Overshadowed By Bigger Catastrophes In chronological order, here are ten catastrophes that, to varying degrees, were overshadowed by more prominent catastrophes. 1864 Sand Creek Massacre 13 minutes Fortunately for America’s first inhabitants, during the Civil War US soldiers were largely too busy slaughtering each other to slaughter Indians. There were, however, exceptions, including a four-month fight with the Dakota people in 1862. The US lost more than 100 servicemen and 350 settlers before driving the tribe’s famously fearsome warriors back. The dust-up took a backseat to such momentous events as the Battle of Antietam—the bloodiest in American history—and the Emancipation Proclamation.