The Sand Creek Massacre Chapter 5

Problems for the Tribes The trails to the CO gold fields ran straight through KS and the lands belonging to the Cheyenne and Arapaho living here. They hunted along the Arkansas River, that stretched from central KS into CO. Some tribal leaders wanted peace, others wanted nothing to do with the Americans. The problem of whites moving onto/through native lands had to be addressed!

The chiefs go to D.C. (Not those Chiefs!) Cheyenne chiefs Black Kettle and White Antelope go to Washington D.C. Working for peace President Lincoln gives BK an American Flag Lincoln gives WA a peace medal Chief White Antelope Chief Black Kettle

Meeting with the Coloradans Black Kettle and others meet with the Governor of CO and the volunteer regiment commander. The Indian leaders leave the meeting believing all is well. BK and his tribe set up camp near Ft. Lyon, CO: Raise the US flag Lincoln gave him Raise a white flag to show they are peaceful

The Massacre Col. Chivington wants to remove all Indian tribes, whether they cooperate with the govt. or not. He betrays Black Kettle and brings his men to get rid of the Native Americans. 150 men, women, children and even infants are killed by Chivington and his men.

The end… White Antelope dies wearing the peace medal Lincoln gave him. Black Kettle and his wife survive; she was shot in the back 9 times. Soldiers return to Denver, showing off the items they stole from the Indians. The massacre adds to the distrust different tribes will have for Americans & the US govt.

After the fighting… Col. Chivington is later interrogated by US Military officials. He stands by his decision to carry out this attack and defends the actions of his soldiers, explaining he saw no children or elderly among the dead. The CO soldiers told of numerous dug out rifle shelters; the Indians had fortified their positions along a nearby river. Some credit the soldiers of valiant efforts, others will denounce their actions and call them murderers.

Now its your turn! What do you think about all of this? Imagine you have read this information on the front page of a newspaper. Write a letter to the editor expressing your opinion and ideas. Be creative. You will write at least a page long letter. Was this a good/bad thing? Should things have been done differently? How? What would you have done if you were in Black Kettle or Col. Chivington’s shoes? Your letter to the editor is due tomorrow.