The Sand Creek Massacre

Painting of the attack on Sand Creek, by Robert Lindneaux, 1936.

The Sand Creek Massacre, occurring on November 29, 1864, was one of the most infamous incidents of the Indian Wars. Initially reported in the press as a victory against a bravely fought defense by the Cheyenne, later eyewitness testimony conflicted with these reports, resulting in a military and two Congressional investigations into the events.

Starting in the 1850s, the gold and silver rush in the Rocky Mountains brought thousands of white settlers into the mountains and the surrounding foothills. Dislocating and angering the Cheyenne and Arapaho who lived on the land, the Pike’s Peak Gold Rush in 1858 brought the tension to a boiling point.

The Indians soon began to attack wagon trains, mining camps, and stagecoach lines, a practice that increased during the Civil War, when the number of soldiers in the area was significantly decreased. This led to what became known as the Colorado War of 1863-1865.

John Milton Chivington (1821 – 1894). A hero in the Battle of Glorieta Pass in New Mexico and the infamous Commander of the U.S. Army at the Sand Creek Massacre.

As the violence between the Native Americans and the miners increased, territorial governor John Evans sent a Voluntary Militia commander Colonel John Chivington to quiet the Indians. Though once a clergy member, Chivington’s compassion did not extend to the Indians, and his desire to extinguish them was well known. Evans also issued two orders, the first required “friendly Indians” to gather at specific camps and threatened violence against those who didn’t comply. The second called for citizens to “kill and destroy” Native Americans who were deemed hostile by the state.

In the spring of 1864, while the Civil War raged in the east, Chivington launched a campaign of violence against the Cheyenne and their allies, his troops attacking all Indians and razing their villages. The Cheyenne, joined by neighboring Arapaho, Sioux, Comanche, and Kiowa in Colorado and Kansas, went on the defensive warpath.

Soon, Evans and Chivington reinforced their militia, raising the Third Colorado Cavalry of short-term volunteers who referred to themselves as the “Hundred Dazers.” After a summer of scattered small raids and clashes, the Cheyenne and Arapaho were ready for peace. As a result, the Indian representatives met with Evans and Chivington at Camp Weld outside of Denver on September 28, 1864. Though no treaties were signed, the Indians believed that by reporting and camping near army posts, they would be declaring peace and accepting sanctuary.