Massacre at Sand Creek: A Tragic Chapter in American History
The Massacre at Sand Creek, also known as the Sand Creek Massacre, was a tragic event that occurred on November 29, 1864, in southeastern Colorado. This incident, which resulted in the deaths of around 150 Cheyenne and Arapaho Native Americans, has become a symbol of the brutal treatment of Native Americans by the U.S. military during the late 19th century.
The Context of the Massacre
At the time of the massacre, the United States was in the midst of a conflict known as the Indian Wars. This period, which spanned from the 1860s to the 1890s, was marked by a series of military campaigns aimed at removing Native Americans from their ancestral lands and relocating them to reservations. The Sand Creek Massacre was one of the most infamous events of this era.
The Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes had been living in the region for centuries, but as white settlers moved westward, tensions between the two groups grew. In the summer of 1864, a group of Cheyenne and Arapaho warriors attacked a camp of white settlers near Fort Lyon, killing several people. This incident, known as the Julesburg Massacre, led to the U.S. military’s decision to launch an attack on the Cheyenne and Arapaho villages at Sand Creek.
The Attack on Sand Creek
The attack on Sand Creek was carried out by a detachment of the Colorado Volunteers, a militia unit. Under the command of Colonel John Chivington, the soldiers set out to punish the Native Americans for the Julesburg Massacre. On the morning of November 29, 1864, the soldiers arrived at the Cheyenne and Arapaho villages, which were located near the South Platte River.
Despite the fact that the villages were located on a reservation and that the Cheyenne and Arapaho had been living there peacefully, the soldiers attacked without warning. They fired into the villages, killing men, women, and children alike. Many of the victims were defenseless, having been asleep when the attack began. The soldiers also burned the villages to the ground, leaving the surviving Native Americans with nowhere to go.
| Number of Native Americans killed | Estimated number of Native Americans present |
|---|---|
| Approximately 150 | Approximately 500 |
The Aftermath and Legacy
The Sand Creek Massacre was met with widespread outrage across the United States. Many people were shocked by the brutal nature of the attack and the fact that it had been carried out by U.S. soldiers. In response to the public outcry, President Abraham Lincoln ordered an investigation into the incident. However, the investigation was flawed and failed to hold anyone accountable for the massacre.
The Sand Creek Massacre has had a lasting impact on the relationship between Native Americans and the U.S. government. It has become a symbol of the mistreatment and oppression that Native Americans have faced throughout American history. The event has also sparked a renewed interest in the history of Native Americans and the struggles they have endured.
In recent years, there have been efforts to recognize the victims of the Sand Creek Massacre and to ensure that their story is not forgotten. In 2007, President George W. Bush issued a formal apology for the massacre, acknowledging the pain and suffering caused to the Cheyenne and Arapaho people. However, many Native Americans believe that an apology is not enough and that there must be further action taken to address the ongoing issues faced by Native American communities.