Sand Creek

There was one possible way to avoid an all out Indian war in Colorado.  In September 1864, a prominent Cheyenne chief named Black Kettle appeared in Denver to negotiate for peace with the territorial governor.  Black Kettle conceded that he could not control many of his young braves.  Black Kettle agreed to settle at Fort Lyon, in eastern Colorado, with those of his Cheyenne and Arapaho followers who opposed war.  The new commander at Fort Lyon insisted that Black Kettle camp on Sand Creek, some 40 miles from the fort since he had no orders from General Curtis.  Surprisingly, Black Kettle agreed.

At dawn on November 29, 1864, when Black Kettle's band of about 500, including more than 300 women and children, were settled beside the stream, a detachment of 700 of Chivington's (see previous posts) volunteers suddenly appeared.  With no warning or discussion, they went through the camp in a murderous spree.  The Indian leader tried to comprehend what was happening, raising the US flag, then a white flag of surrender. 

Chivington's orders were to "Kill and scalp all, big and little, nits and lice."  The troops killed every Indian who moved and then mutilated the bodies, saving parts as souvenirs of  their "bravery".  One group of squaws and children were cut down in the middle of surrender.  When a toddler was lost amid the chaos, he was made the object of target practice by the soldiers.  Flight was the only possible escape, and some did get away to spread the word that peace with the US was just not possible.

Denver celebrated Sand Creek as a great and noble victory until the truth slowly came out..."A cowardly and cold-blooded slaughter", said a shocked army judge.  But by then the damage was done and the West was being torn by a new and bitter round of Indian wars.

Again I ask you, who was the civilized culture?

Next time...Blood on the Grasslands
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Today in Pioneer History: "On December 18, 1843, Charles Dickens published "A Christmas Carol".
A Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night!