Eads High School Local History Project - Kiowa County

In late June 1864, territorial governor John Evans issued an invitation for peace to area tribes. Tribal chiefs eventually received the message, but in the meantime, attacks on settlers continued. On August 11, 1864, the War Department gave Governor Evans permission to create a volunteer regiment for 100 days. The Colorado 3rd Volunteer Regiment, under the command of Col. John M. Chivington, was comprised of an assortment of individuals, including miners, farmers, ranchers, shopkeepers, and gamblers. They soon became known as the Bloodless Third due to their lack of action against any Native Americans.

In late August, Cheyenne chief Black Kettle sent a message accepting Evanss peace invitation to Fort Lyon, located on the Arkansas River. Under the protection of Maj. Edward Wynkoop, who was convinced of the Native Americans desire for peace, Cheyenne and Arapaho chiefs traveled to Denver for the governors meeting, known as the Camp Weld Council. Unfortunately, warrior attacks on white settlements over the summer had already set a military response in motion. Attacks continued as the tribal leaders journeyed to and from Denver to negotiate peace.

By November 1864, Chivington and his unit craved action. Colonel Chivington and his staff left Denver on November 20 and joined most of his command east of Pueblo several days later. They reached Fort Lyon on November 28; by 8:00 p.m., the troops rode toward Sand Creek.

As the sun rose on November 29, 1864, Chivington led approximately 700 men in a surprise attack on about 500 Cheyenne and Arapaho camped along Sand Creek. Over 150 Native Americans were brutally killed in the attack, including many women, children, and elderly. Soldiers chased down the fleeing victims for miles along the creek bed. The following day, some soldiers scalped and mutilated the dead.

The cruelty of the event made the Sand Creek Massacre an instant controversy. In 1865, the federal government conducted one military and two congressional investigations of Sand Creek and determined that Chivington and his troops had deliberately attacked the Cheyenne and Arapaho, which resulted in a senseless massacre. However, by that time, Chivington was no longer serving in the military and could not be prosecuted for his actions.

The National Park Service established the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site in 2007 to preserve and protect the cultural landscape of the massacre and educate the public about the event.

JOHN SMITH AND CHEYENNE LEADERS . In 1863, interpreter John Smith and several Cheyenne leaders visited St. Louis and Washington, D.C. Smith was among a handful of white men in the Cheyenne camp during the Sand Creek Massacre. Cheyenne leader Standing Water sits in front of Smith, and Chiefs War Bonnet and Lean Bear hold pipes. War Bonnet and Standing Water were killed at Sand Creek. (Photograph courtesy Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site.)

COL. JOHN M. CHIVINGTON. Chivington commanded the troops at the Sand Creek Massacre. A minister, he arrived in Colorado to serve the Rocky Mountain District of the Methodist Church. Commissioned an officer with the 1st Colorado Cavalry, he participated in the 1862 Union victory at Glorieta Pass, New Mexico. After Sand Creek, he was condemned by Congress for his leading role in the controversial attack. Chivington passed away in 1894. (Photograph courtesy Denver Public Library.)