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DENVER (KDVR) — A Civil War statue was found toppled over Thursday morning near the west steps of the Colorado State Capitol. Graffiti was also found sprayed onto the platform that held the statue.

Colorado State Patrol said the incident happened around 1:30 a.m.

CSP said preliminary information indicates that four suspects were involved.

About this monument

The Civil War Monument shows a dismounted Union cavalryman with a rifle in has hand. It was built to honor the Colorado soldiers who were killed in the civil war. Designed by Captain Jack Howland, a member of the First Colorado Cavalry, the monument was built in 1907 with names of those who died added later.

Military members from Colorado fought across all across the country during the Civil War, but one specific attack has blemished the First and Third Colorado Cavalries. Both units were involved in what at the time was called the Battle of Sand Creek. Later however, it was renamed the Sand Creek Massacre. During the massacre, the cavalries attacked a peaceful camp of Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians, killing more than 150 people including women, children and elders. This is reflected by a plaque that was added in 1999.