The Sand Creek Massacre

Sometimes called "The Chivington Massacre" by those who would emphasize his responsibility for the attack and "The Battle of Sand Creek" by those who would imply that it was not a massacre, this event has become one of our nations most controversial Indian conflicts. The subject of army and Congressional investigations and inquiries, a matter of vigorous newspaper debates, the object of much oratory and writing biased in both directions, the Sand Creek Massacre very likely will never be completely and satisfactorily resolved. This account of the massacre investigates the historical events leading to the battle, tracing the growth of the Indian-white conflict in Colorado Territory. The author has shown the way in which the discontent stemming from the treaty of Fort Wise, the depredations committed by the Cheyennes and Arapahoes prior to the massacre, and the desire of some of the commanding officers for a bloody victory against the Indians laid the groundwork for the battle at Sand Creek.

First sentence: DAYBREAK OF NOVEMBER 29, 1864, swelled over the land's edge in southeastern Colorado Territory and moved westward across the mesquite-spotted sand hills, revealing the village of Black Kettle's Cheyennes nestled in a bend of the dry-bedded Sand Creek.

Year

1961

Language

English

Publisher

University of Oklahoma Press

Editions

1

Pages

217

ISBN

9780806111476

Data source: Wikidata