Thread by @Americas_Crimes

On this day in 1864, the US army massacred a peaceful village of Cheyenne & Arapaho Native Americans w/ canons, killing 150 ppl (mostly women, children & elderly men). They fired on villagers fleeing for their lives, then looted & set fire to the village. #SandCreekMassacre

Colorado’s territorial governor John Evans had Col. John Chivington create a cavalry to hunt down Native Americans in Colorado. John Evans believed that Native Americans were “heathen savages” without souls. Today, Colorado’s 12th highest mountain peak is named after Evans.

Abraham Lincoln appointed John Evans (who was his friend) to the governorship of Colorado, and Lincoln approved Evan’s order for Coloradans to "shoot on sight" any member of any tribe due to fear of attacks when most of the state's troops were away fighting in the civil war.

On November 29, 1864, Chivington & his cavalry approached the village, headed by the peaceful chief Black Kettle, and ignored the American flag it flew to signify that the village was friendly. Black Kettle had been assured the day before that his people would be safe.

Chivington positioned his 700 troops & their four howitzers around the village then opened fire. Those in the village scattered in panic. The soldiers charged, hunting down men, women, and children, shooting them as they ran.

The troops kept up their assault for 8 hours, then cavalry returning later to finish off the wounded and mutilate and scalp the dead, including pregnant women, children, and babies. They then plundered the teepees & set fire to the village.

Initially, the massacre was reported as a victory against a brave and numerous enemy. But within weeks, witnesses and survivors began describing the massacre:

While the massacre outraged some, it was celebrated by many people in Colorado. Col. Chivington later appeared on a Denver stage where he entertained enthralled audiences with his stories of slaughter & displayed 100 Native American scalps & the pubic hair of Native women.

Soon there were investigation into the massacre & Evans lied to attempt to cover up his role in the atrocity. Andrew Jackson forced Evans to resign over his attempted cover up, but Evans remained popular in Colorado for his “toughness” in "dealing" with the Native population.

To this day, descendants of the survivors are fighting for proper recognition of the Sand Creek Massacre in Colorado.
denverpost.com/2012/12/29/san…