1864 Sand Creek Massacre, CO
The Sand Creek Massacre (also known as the Chivington Massacre or the Battle of Sand Creek) was an incident in the Indian Wars of the United States that occurred on November 29, 1864 when Colorado Militia troops in the Colorado Territory attacked a village of Cheyenne and Arapaho encamped on the territory's eastern plains.
The attack was initially reported in the press as a victory against a bravely-fought opponent. Within weeks, however, a controversy was raised about a possible massacre. Several investigations were conducted, two by the military; and one by the Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War, who declared:
"As to Colonel Chivington, your committee can hardly find fitting terms to describe his conduct. Wearing the uniform of the United States, which should be the emblem of justice and humanity; holding the important position of commander of a military district, and therefore having the honor of the government to that extent in his keeping, he deliberately planned and executed a foul and dastardly massacre which would have disgraced the verist [sic] savage among those who were the victims of his cruelty. Having full knowledge of their friendly character, having himself been instrumental to some extent in placing them in their position of fancied security, he took advantage of their inapprehension and defenceless [sic] condition to gratify the worst passions that ever cursed the heart of man."
Whatever influence this may have had upon Colonel Chivington, the truth is that he surprised and murdered, in cold blood, the unsuspecting men, women, and children on Sand creek, who had every reason to believe they were under the protection of the United States authorities, and then returned to Denver and boasted of the brave deed he and the men under his command had performed.
"In conclusion, your committee are of the opinion that for the purpose of vindicating the cause of justice and upholding the honor of the nation, prompt and energetic measures should be at once taken to remove from office those who have thus disgraced the government by whom they are employed, and to punish, as their crimes deserve, those who have been guilty of these brutal and cowardly acts."
Statements were taken by Major Edward Wynkoop and his adjutant, which substantiated the later accounts of survivors. These statements were filed with his reports and can be found in the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion, and copies of which were submitted as evidence in the Joint Committee of the Conduct of the War, and in separate hearings conducted by the military in Denver.
Numerous witnesses came forward during these investigations, offering damning testimony, almost all of which was substantiated by other witnesses. At least one of those witnesses was murdered in Denver just weeks after offering his testimony.
Despite the Joint Committee on the Conduct of the Wars' recommendation, justice was never served on those responsible for the massacre. The site became a National Historic Site on August 2, 2005.