Outrage and the Old West – the Sand Creek Massacre

The long lens of history provides us the opportunity to challenge the decisions made by the pioneers of the old west. The treatment of the Native American Tribes is a great example of Monday morning quarterbacking.

The massacre of the Cheyenne's at Sand Creek is a case in point. What could possible have induced the Colorado Third Regiment to ride down on these "peaceful Indians"?

In May of 1863 Territorial Governor Evans received word that the Cheyenne and Arapahoe tribes were holding a big secret conference with the Sioux for the purpose of uniting and driving the white man out of the territory. This council was held near today's Pawnee Buttes. Later that spring at a location about 55 miles below Ft. Lyon on the Arkansas River, a "big medicine dance" was held with all of the leading chiefs and warriors representing all of the Southern tribes. Included were the Comanche, Apaches, Kiowas, Northern Arapahos, Pawnee and all of the Cheyenne and Sioux tribes. Their plan was to all go to war in the spring so they all would have time to stock up on ammunition. In addition, all of the main chiefs pledged to "shake hands and be friendly to the whites until they were ready to strike".

Keep in mind the Civil War was being fought and Colorado sent more men per capita than any other "state". (Colorado was granted statehood in 1876) Because Kansas, Nebraska, and Colorado were territories no accurate census data is available for the time. The high figure is 34,277 however, this includes the populations of Kansas City, Dodge City, Wichita, Omaha and other "eastern" cities that were not directly involved in the Indian wars. The most likely figure for the white population in the territory of Colorado is 3,700 civilians.

Well over 25 battles were fought and recorded by the Cavalry. The department of the Army records indicate the loss of 18 officers, 1182 enlisted, and 539 civilians. The civilian losses were probably higher due to the fact that only the ones found by the Army were recorded.

In 1863 and 64, fifteen wagon trains were attacked and plundered. The supplies onboard those trains were necessary for the survival of the civilian population. Most ranches in the territory were attacked for their cattle, horses, and most importantly fodder. Hay was the gasoline of the era, the denial of which would force the white man out of the territory.

The Indians gave no quarter, neither did the whites.