Country Family
Baton Rouge
The death of the Cheyenne
On November 29th 1864 one of the most cruel summits of the Indian wars happened in the southeast of Colorado.
Since the end of the 1850ies argonauts flew to Colorado, founded cities like Denver and Pueblo and eliminated the Indian tribes. A martial group of the Cheyenne, the Dog Soldiers, struck back. The fear of Indian attacks lead to the conscription call of a "100-day-regiment" under the command of the former preacher John Chivington, who hated the Indians.
All peaceful Indians were called to resort to striking distance of a presidio. 500 Cheyenne under the chiefs Black Kettle and White Antelope followed this appeal. The set up camp 40 miles away of Fort Lyon at Sand Creek. At November 28th 1864 Chivington's regiment reached Fort Lyon. Instead of hunting the martial Dog Soldiers, he wanted to attack Black Kettle's village.
During night he brought 1'000 soldiers to Sand Creek. The star banner over the tents didn't disturb Chivington: At dawn he let open the fire.
A deadly volley, salvo over salvo. The yelling of men, women and children was horrible. Chief White Antelope ran in the face of the soldiers with open arms - he was shot.
Then the horsemen pulled out the sabres. They chopped up women and children, cutted of scalps and other body pieces as trophy and almost waded in blood. At this ice-cold morning 163 Cheyenne died. Numberless were wounded. Few days later an exultant bulk in Denver celebrated the forces as "Colorado's rescuer" from the Indians.
Very slowly the truth leached: Sand Creek was no triumph but a shame.
Decade's should pass till some of the victims got compensation money, and not till november 2000 the place was consecrated to a national memorial place.