Uncovering the Untold History of Native America : A Comprehensive History of the Indigenous People of America by Press Verity

Author:Press, Verity
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-03-20T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

The Massacre and Its Aftermath

In mid-April 1864, the Colorado Volunteers launched a brutal attack on Cheyenne and Arapaho communities, massacring scores of civilians. A junior officer's command to "kill them [Cheyennes] and burn their villages" echoed the troops' actions. Livestock were slaughtered, and camps were destroyed in the onslaught. Colonel Chivington justified each attack as a response to alleged Indian raids or part of a broader Indian strategy of war against European settlers in the southern plains.

On May 26, as the Volunteers approached a Cheyenne community, Chief Lean Bear rode out to reassure the soldiers of his people's friendliness. Ignoring his peaceful gesture, the soldiers opened fire, killing Lean Bear. Outnumbered, the troops swiftly retreated from the village.

Following Lean Bear's death, the Cheyenne and Arapahos denounced the attacks and intensified their raids on settlements. Governor Evans' predictions of inevitable war seemed to materialize, fueled by the militia's actions. Evans ordered friendly Indians to move closer to military outposts for safety, labeling others as "hostiles." This designation led to sporadic clashes, eroding any hopes of peace.

Amid escalating violence, a few individuals, like Major Edward Wynkoop and George Bent, advocated for peace. They urged tribal chiefs, including Black Kettle and White Antelope, to negotiate a truce with Governor Evans. In September, a meeting was held, where the Indians expressed their desire for peace and willingness to establish a reservation. However, Evans and Chivington maintained a stance of using force if necessary, refusing to guarantee the safety of the Cheyenne and Arapaho.

Despite the looming threat, Black Kettle agreed to establish his band on a reservation near Fort Lyon in southeastern Colorado. Though hopeful for peace, he and other chiefs understood the gravity of the situation and were prepared to defend their people to the end if required.

Black Kettle's Vulnerable Camp

In the autumn of 1864, Black Kettle led 500 Indians to establish a camp near Sand Creek, alongside his wife and other members of the Cheyenne tribe. With most of his young men off hunting in nearby Kansas, the camp was left virtually defenseless, focused on gathering winter provisions.

Governor Evans' hollow proclamation of peace set the stage for tragedy. Collaborating with Colonel Chivington and General Curtis, the decision was made to strike a devastating blow against the Native American population. On the morning of November 29, Chivington's 700-strong army descended upon Black Kettle's camp at Sand Creek, catching the inhabitants completely off guard. Despite Black Kettle's efforts to signal peace by flying an American flag, the soldiers launched a merciless assault.

The attack on Sand Creek was a scene of unparalleled brutality. Soldiers showed no mercy, slaughtering indiscriminately, regardless of age or gender. The camp, mainly inhabited by women, children, and elderly men, was overwhelmed by the onslaught. Witnesses described the village as awash with blood, with nearly two hundred Cheyenne and Arapaho dead by the end.

The soldiers' savagery didn't end with the massacre. They mutilated the dead in unimaginable ways, indulging in grotesque acts of violence. Heads were severed and passed around, scalps were taken, and body parts were collected as trophies.

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