What did the US Army soldiers do at Sand Creek? This question remains a haunting reminder of one of the darkest chapters in American history. On November 29, 1864, a brutal and unjust massacre took place in Colorado Territory, where soldiers of the Colorado Volunteers, supported by the US Army, carried out a deadly attack on a peaceful Cheyenne and Arapaho village. The Sand Creek Massacre has been widely criticized for its inhumane treatment of Native Americans and its implications for the treatment of indigenous peoples in the United States.
The incident began when a group of Cheyenne and Arapaho warriors, under the leadership of Chief Black Kettle, sought refuge at Sand Creek, a small stream in southeastern Colorado. The soldiers, led by Colonel John Chivington, had been ordered to remove the Native Americans from the territory, but instead, they chose to launch a surprise attack on the unsuspecting village. The soldiers, many of whom were drunk, entered the camp early in the morning and opened fire on the sleeping villagers.
The attack was devastating. Women, children, and elderly were among the victims, as the soldiers showed no mercy. Estimates of the number of Native Americans killed range from 150 to 200, with many more injured. The aftermath of the massacre was equally horrifying, as the soldiers burned the village and stole the belongings of the survivors. The brutal event shocked the nation and led to widespread outrage.
The Sand Creek Massacre has been described as a war crime and a violation of international law. It was a direct violation of the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1861, which guaranteed the Cheyenne and Arapaho the right to live on their ancestral lands. The US government’s failure to hold the responsible parties accountable further compounded the tragedy.
In the years following the massacre, the survivors of Sand Creek faced continued harassment and violence. It wasn’t until 1968 that the federal government acknowledged the atrocity and issued a formal apology. The Sand Creek Massacre site was designated as a national historic landmark in 2007, serving as a reminder of the tragic consequences of America’s westward expansion and the devastating impact it had on Native American tribes.
The events at Sand Creek have had a lasting impact on the relationship between Native Americans and the US government. It is a poignant reminder of the suffering and injustice faced by indigenous peoples throughout American history. Understanding the events at Sand Creek is crucial for healing the wounds of the past and ensuring that such atrocities are never repeated.
