In 1851, chiefs of the Southern Cheyenne and Arapaho signed the Fort Laramie Treaty which gave up much of their land for a guarantee to the land north of the Arkansas River to the Nebraska border. In exchange for ceding much land, the tribes got an annuity and a guaranteed reservation for all time. Sure. Chiefs reasoned that it was better to get something than nothing because it would be impossible to keep the whites from taking the land in the future. Not all Indians agreed to this policy, especially the warriors, including the famous Cheyenne “Dog Soldiers”. They refused to accept the reservation borders and confronted whites who encroached on their hunting grounds. In 1861, the pacifist chiefs, led by Black Kettle, gave up all but 1/13 of the reservation for more annuities. The young warriors and a majority of the people were enraged by an agreement made by a few chiefs who had been bribed by the whites. They refused to respect the new treaty and attacks on whites increased, especially after the Pikes Peak Gold Rush had miners crossing Indian lands. Finally, Governor John Evans had enough and was determined to break Indian resistance. A 100-day militia called the 3rd Colorado Cavalry was enlisted to take care of the Indian problem. It was led by a minister and abolitionist named John Chivington. He and his men were racists who believed the only good Indian was a dead Indian. Friendly Indians were told to camp near forts so they would not be killed in the crackdown. Black Kettle obeyed Evans’ warning and brought his people to Fort Lyon where he was told to camp on Sand Creek, where they would be safe. On Nov. 29, 1864, Chivington arrived with 700 men, including members of the 1st Colorado Cavalry. He was guided by the famous black mountainman James Beckwourth. It was always easier to find friendly Indians instead of the ones who were actually killing whites. Without any warning, Chivington ordered an attack. Black Kettle, hearing the approaching horses, put up an American flag outside his tepee and other Indians waved white flags. This made no difference. The whites indiscriminately killed, including mostly women and children. Some of the Indian men put up a fight and 24 whites were killed, but it could hardly be called a battle. At least 150 Indians were slain. (Black Kettle survived, but was killed by Custer’s men in the similar Battle of the Washita.) The camp was plundered and then burned. After, the whites returned and killed many of the wounded. Bodies were scalped and mutilated. The 3rd Colorado Cavalry returned to Denver to acclaim for what was reported as a victory over 500-600 bloodthirsty warriors. Their “trophies” were displayed in public and Chivington was treated as a hero. The official story was soon contradicted. Capt. Silas Sloane of the 1st Colorado had refused to allow his men to participate in the slaughter. He and his men were appalled by the atrocities they witnessed. Sloane went public with the true story of what happened. Surprisingly, Chivington and his men’s actions were condemned, even in Colorado. Can you imagine how bad it had to be for whites to think a line had been crossed? On second thought, do not try to imagine what had happened in the mutilations and the trophy-taking. A Congressional investigation gave nationwide coverage to the massacre. Chivington was forced to resign and did not fulfill his dream of a political career. The massacre did the opposite of quelling Indian resistance and in fact led to the spread of resistance to tribes outside Colorado. Many white settlers died because of it. But dominoes kept falling until Wounded Knee in 1890.
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/sand-creek-massacre
https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/sand-creek-massacre
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sand_Creek_massacre
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