Traces of the Past History Tours (2024)

22/12/2024

THE INDIAN WAR of 1864 CONCLUDES – THE BLOODY YEAR on the PLAINS (1865) BEGINS – THE 160th COMMEMORATION of EVENTS

It was nearly a month before the 3d CO Vol. Cavalry returned to Camp Weld within the friendly confines of Denver City. After Sand Creek Chivington kept his men out scouring the Arkansas River valley for other Indians deemed hostile. But, the colonel pushed the horsemen so hard that the animals began to collapse from exhaustion. Major Sayr recorded in his journal on December 9th, “Marched 30 Miles and camped 3 Miles east of Sand Creek Quite Pleasant— Twelve horses gave out and were shot today.” The officers deliberated and concluded to abandon the pursuit of the roving bands. Individuals like George Bent were among those Cheyennes who were fortunate enough to escape the battlefield. He and his people, along with the Arapahoes under Little Raven who sensed the impending danger before the fight, managed to elude the prowling eyes of the Army.

On Thursday, December 22d, only three days before Christmas, the “bloody Third” (the derisive term “bloodless” being now inapplicable) paraded through the streets of Denver being showered with accolades and hearty thanks by the teeming populace. The 'Rocky Mountain News' lauded, “The return of the Third Regiment boys from the victorious field of Indian warfare was the grand feature of to-day. Those ten companies. . .who have stood the severity of the season, the snow storms of the Bijou Basin, the fatigues of forced marches, and the deprivation of all comforts both by day and night—camping where the hostile savage was expected to be met, or following the red assassins to their strongholds in the interior of the desert—were the admired of all observers, on their entry into town this morning.”

The citizenry who “thronged” Ferry, Larimer, G, and Blake streets to gaze at the “gallant boys” saw something else. They saw the grisly trophies of war – Indian scalps. During the unbridled glee of deliverance from the terror of the enemy these residents of Denver were too caught up in the excitement to fully understand the blood lust of Sand Creek. Or perhaps they chose to ignore it or turned a blind eye to the meaning of these awful spoils of war. Nonetheless, many were displayed. In the same edition of the News, a grim observation was noted. “Cheyenne scalps are getting as thick here now as toads in Egypt. Everybody has got one, and is anxious to get another to send east.”

Meanwhile, far to the east on a tiny tributary of the S. Republican River called Cherry Creek (not to be confused with the watercourse which flows into Denver) the Cheyennes and Arapahoes, now joined by the Lakota were encamped in a large village laying out murderous plans of their own to exact revenge. George Bent relates the story, “after Sand Creek, in the camp on the head of the Smoky Hill, while the Indians were all mourning for the dead, they made up their minds to send around a war pipe and attack the whites at once. This was an uncommon thing, to begin a war in the dead of winter, but the Cheyennes were very mad and would not wait.”

30/11/2024

The 160th Sand Creek.

28/11/2024

SAND CREEK— ARRIVAL AT FORT LYON

When Chivington, in his words, “proceeded with the utmost caution down the Arkansas river” after breaking camp on Thanksgiving morning, he did so because he wanted his march against the unsuspecting Cheyennes encamped on Sand Creek to be completely secret. The colonel had pressed into service Robert Bent and James Beckwourth to act as guides. George Bent added, “from Boonville [Albert Boone’s ranch] the troops marched down the river to my father’s stockade at the mouth of Purgatoire River. The column surprised the place and a line of guards was thrown around the stockade at once, to prevent anyone leaving to warn the Indians. Chivington forced my elder brother Robert to act as guide, threatening to have him shot if he refused to serve.”

When Capt. Silas Soule, D Co’y, and a detachment of twenty men was ordered to investigate the presence of campfires seen upriver from Fort Lyon, he was shocked to discover they belonged to the 3d CO. Soule had passed a mule train traveling east toward the fort. Chivington rode in advance of his column to intercept the train and insure their silence on the presence of the army. By mid-day on the 28th the entire command had arrived at Fort Lyon.

With little fanfare, Sayr recorded the arrival. “Monday Nov 28/64. Marched 14 Miles & camped one mile below Fort Lyon”

And, as with Soule, the entire garrison of Fort Lyon was wholly unaware of any plan regarding offensive operations. However, now that the “secret” was out, Chivington did not relent on keeping his surreptitious design quiet. General Field Order No. 2 was issued by Acting Assistant Adjutant General, Joseph S. Maynard in camp outside of the fort:

I. Hereafter, no officer will be allowed to leave his command without the consent of the colonel commanding, and no soldier without a written pass from his company commander, approved by the commander of his battalion.

II. No fires will be allowed to burn after dark, unless specially directed from these headquarters.

III. Any person giving the Indians information of the movements of troops will be deemed a spy and shot to death.

Hurriedly, Chivington informed all officers present of his orders. The advance on Black Kettle’s village, about forty miles to the northeast, would begin that same night, the 28th. “Soon after we arrived in camp near the fort, an order was circulated to prepare three days’ rations, and be ready to start at eight o’clock in the evening. We supposed this meant business ; and the result was a lively camp. Some cooking was done, fire arms put in the best possible condition, and ammunition handed out,” wrote an excited Pvt. Morse H. Coffin, D Co’y.

The time had come.

All assembled, under a moonless sky the command of Colonel John M. Chivington, consisting of men from the 1st and 3d CO Vol. Cav., departed from Fort Lyon on their march into the annals of history.

24/11/2024

SAND CREEK— COMMENCEMENT

Chivington’s column had broken camp.

“Thursday Nov. 24/64. Left camp about 9 A.M. Marched 15 Miles & camped on bank of Arkansas.” This was Maj. Sayr’s brief journal entry for the date when the wheels were put into motion; the date when the murderous clash of cultures that defined Colorado Territory’s early history was officially begun. What wasn’t mentioned was that the 24th was also declared by President Abraham Lincoln to be a national day of thanksgiving.

Almost 120 miles to the north, in the pages of the Rocky Mountain News of the previous day (the presses weren’t running on the 24th), Governor John Evans addressed the people of his territory thus:

“Notwithstanding floods and Indian wars which have temporarily clouded their prosperity, the people of Colorado have abundant cause for gratitude to God for the multiplied blessings and mercies that have crowned the year.

He has thus far preserved to us our Government through the bloody trials and imminent dangers of the great rebellion. He has nerved the arms and strengthened the hearts of our gallant soldiers, while they have carried the banner of liberty, the emblem of our nationality, in triumph against its foes.

He has cemented together, as an immovable fortress against treason and rebellion, the loyal hosts of the country ; caused the councils of the enemy to be confounded, defeated and scattered their rebellious armies, and lighted up the prospect of a speedy overthrow of the rebellion, and the restoration of peace upon the principles of justice, national honor and perpetuity.

He has given us more and more abundant evidence of the vast extent and richness of our mines ; of the fertility and productiveness of our lands and the salubrity of our climate.

He has turned the hearts of the people to the er****on of temples for his worship ; to the encouragement of education and a more general observance of the forms of religion.

For these and countless other manifestations of his wise and beneficent providence, the people have cause for profound gratitude : Therefore, I, John Evans, Governor of the Territory of Colorado, do set apart THURSDAY, THE 24TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, inst., as a day of thanksgiving to God ; and I request the people to refrain from secular avocations on that day, that they may assemble at their usual places of worship, and unite in thanksgiving and praise to the Giver of all our benefits, for His goodness, and in prayer to God that he will continue to smile upon us and our country.”

The trumpet of Irony sounded its clarion call, however. Chivington and his army embarked for war on the very day that was purposefully set aside to commemorate the occasion that witnessed Europeans and Native Americans coming together as a gesture of peace and perpetual harmony.

23/11/2024

SAND CREEK—THE STAGE IS SET

Companies of the “Hundred Dazers” (3d CO Volunteer Cavalry) were weeks in congregating for the general movement against Black Kettle. They had come from as far away as Valley Station approximately 150 miles northeast of Denver City. The original rendezvous was to begin in mid-October and was to be located in a general area called ‘Bijou Basin,’ a small valley on the eastern fringe of the Black Forest along tiny Bijou Creek. But, as Col. George L. Shoup, commanding officer of the 3d Regiment, noted, “heavy snows prevented a concentration” there, so the new rendezvous was designated to be at the ranch of Albert Boone (grandson of famed frontiersman, Daniel Boone) on the banks of the Arkansas, east of present Pueblo, CO. The first companies arrived on November 21st and by the following day the dispositions were complete. The entire 3d CO and elements of the 1st CO Volunteer Cavalry had assembled for a mission that, to almost all of them, was unknown. By the 23d, Col. John M. Chivington, arrived and assumed command of the whole column. In his journal, Second Major, Hal Sayr, wrote, “Wednesday Nov 23d/64. Col. Chivington—Maj Downing & Capt Jo Maynard A.A.A.G. arrived from Denver this evening—Regiment inspected this evening about dark—Chivington takes command which gives pretty general dissatisfaction—”

John Milton Chivington had resigned as presiding Elder of the Methodist Church, Rocky Mountain District, to accept an appointment as major in the 1st CO Volunteer Infantry in the last months of 1861. Having distinguished himself in combat in New Mexico the following spring, and after the abrupt resignation of his predecessor, he ascended to the colonelcy in April, 1862. His regiment was reorganized and converted to cavalry on November 1 of that year and early in 1863, Chivington had been appointed to command of the newly created military District of Colorado. He now held an administrative position while simultaneously retaining his field command. Indeed, his territorial star was on the rise and by 1864, during one of the several abortive statehood movements, Chivington’s name was considered for national office. His ambitions extended beyond the military milieu.

Sayr was not alone in his seeming distaste for the colonel, but the “fighting parson” also had his staunch supporters (civic and military) who felt that the prowess he demonstrated while fighting in New Mexico was worthy of renown. According to them, he was just the man who was needed to prosecute war against the Native American raiding parties that continued to menace the plains.

With Col. Chivington present at Boone’s Ranch at the head of nearly 1,000 troops, final preparations were made that extended deep into the night.

20/11/2024

SAND CREEK – STORM CLOUDS on the HORIZON

For his efforts to help broker a peace accord with the leaders of the Cheyenne and Arapaho people on the central plains, Major Edward Wynkoop was removed from command at Fort Lyon. His initiative was regarded as exceeding authority by his superior, Major-General Samuel R. Curtis. Only three weeks after the Camp Weld Conference the change was made. On October 17th, Special Order No.4, was issued from Head Quarters of the District of the Upper Arkansas, Department of Kansas, that Major Scott J. Anthony, 1st CO Volunteer Cavalry, replace Wynkoop as the commanding officer of Lyon.

“Maj. Scott J. Anthony, First Colorado Cavalry, is hereby relieved from the command of Fort Larned (KS) and will proceed to Fort Lyon and take command of that post, and will also investigate and report upon the unofficial rumors that reach headquarters that certain officers have issued stores, goods, or supplies to hostile Indians, in direct violation of orders from the general commanding the department.” In separate correspondence written the same day, ranking department major, Benjamin S. Henning, informed Anthony that the major-general commanding “will not permit or allow any agreement or treaty with the Indians without his approval. In fact, his instructions are not to allow any Indians to approach any post on any excuse whatever.”

Before being relieved, Wynkoop had permitted tribal members to camp within Lyon’s immediate vicinity. In addition, having submitted to military authority the tribes were issued rations as “prisoners.” These actions were done by the major not only to advance the peace that had seemingly been established at Camp Weld, but also because Colonel John M. Chivington’s closing remark at the conference was interpreted to mean that Wynkoop held the authority to commit such acts. This created confusion. Was Wynkoop given authority to treat with the Indians as he saw fit? Or was he subject to the orders of Curtis, the overall department commander, Chivington’s superior? As it turned out, Wynkoop was considered in violation of direct orders.

While this was all being sorted out, the Cheyenne and Arapaho leaders were gauging the situation. Most felt secure with the current state of affairs around the fort. But, as soon as Anthony assumed command, Little Raven sensed a shift in relations, that something did not seem quite right. As a result, he moved his Arapaho people far away from the immediate area, further down the Arkansas and out of reach of the U.S. Army. It proved to be prudent.

At his new assignment, Anthony found himself in a bind. Because he witnessed first-hand the efficacy of his successor’s diplomacy, he was very hesitant to alter the situation. So, he continued Wynkoop’s policy initially. But, soon thereafter he ceased ration distribution and ordered them away from Fort Lyon, suggesting they relocate to Sand Creek or the Smoky Hill River region. George Bent wrote from the Cheyenne viewpoint, “shortly after the Arapahoes moved away from the fort, fifty or sixty Cheyennes from our camp went in with Black Kettle and the other chiefs to have a talk with the new commandant. Anthony met them in my father’s old stone fort, which was now a part of Fort Lyon, and when the chiefs asked him about peace, he told them that he had no authority to deal with them but that they might remain in this camp on Sand Creek until he heard from his superiors. What he told them convinced the Cheyenne more than ever that peace was sure to be made, sooner or later.”

Photo Credits: Colorado Historical Society (History Colorado)

09/11/2024

Ever since their wagon creaked into the dusty streets of Denver City on September 25, 1864, the former white captives of the Cheyenne and Arapaho – Laura Roper, Daniel “Danny” Marble, Ambrose Asher, and Isabelle Eubank – they felt like strangers in a strange land. Their family and friends had been murdered in NE Territory in early August, they endured weeks of hardship as prisoners being constantly moved from place to place across the plains, and now they found themselves essentially homeless in a rough frontier town.

Sympathetic citizens of Denver organized the Colorado Relief Association and took the orphans under their care. Donations in the form of a monetary fund were collected to help provide the ex-captives with food, clothing, medicines, &c. However, the money raised was mismanaged. Sixteen-year-old Laura Roper seemingly basked in the glow of all the attention she had received, becoming somewhat of a local starlet. And whether she felt that she deserved the lion’s share of the funds, or that a “celebrity” required the finer things, or some other reason, Miss Roper went on a shopping spree and exhausted a whopping $134.40 of a total of $245.75 that was collected for all four children. That represented almost 55 percent!
Danny Marble had received $72.50 from sympathetic soldiers at Fort Lyon even before the kids arrived in Denver City or knew anything about the Relief Association. But, he, Ambrose, and Isabelle became virtually destitute by comparison after their arrival in town.

After a little mental, emotional, and physical stability was quasi-established the Association began attempting to contact surviving family members so the young ones could be reunited with their loved ones. As it turned out, Laura and Ambrose would be the only ones to make it back home.

A mere week after arriving in Denver City, nine-year-old Danny was stricken with what Dr. A.A. Smith, Asst. Surgeon, 1st CO Volunteer Cav. at Camp Weld, described as typhoid fever. His health somewhat improved during October and when he was visited by Laura immediately before her departure for home he was overjoyed. He implored her to remain with him, but her itinerary was already set. Suffering and lonely, with the Relief money dried up, the boy died on November 9th. The military had not attempted to notify his mother of her son’s death.

Toddler Isabelle languished. Early settler, Mollie Dorsey Sanford, thought of adopting her as she summarized in her journal. “There were some prisoners ransomed by Col. Wyncop from the Indians, Laura Roper and two children. They were taken captive last summer by the Indians not very far from the old home in Neb. I had them at my house for a while. The tales of their captivity were harrowing. Miss Roper was subjected to all the indignities usually given white captives, and the children were brutally treated by the squaws. The mother of little Bell was taken away by some distant band, and the poor little things left. She saw her father butchered, and only three years old, can and does recount the whole tragedy. I took her, thinking I might adopt her, but I could not stand it. She would wake from a sound sleep, and sit up in bed with staring eyes, and go in detail over the whole thing. She was scarred all over with the prints of arrow points that the squaws tortured her with. Dr. Brondsall has adopted her, where she will have medical care and good care otherwise.”

Surgeon Caleb Burdsal, 3d CO Vol. Cav. was dispatched with his regiment to Sand Creek so could not take in Isabelle. She never was able to find her “forever” home and died in March 1865 without ever seeing her mother again.

03/11/2024

Those who traveled upon the spider web that was the nineteenth century trail system were able to stop, layover, and/or re-fit at various stage stations or road ranches. Traces of the Past visited the site of one such place, take a listen. . .
. .and a sincere thank you for following us here on FB. Book a tour to learn more, https://www.tracesofthepasthistorytours.com - hope to see you soon!

21/10/2024

Our previous post finished off with a diary entry from Maj. Hal Sayr, 3d CO Vol. Cavalry. Orders had been issued to the entire regiment on Oct. 16th by Col. John Chivington to begin to rendezvous. At that time the men were spread out all across the territory. The Hundred Dazers were gathering and the time had come.

Let us follow Maj. Sayr and the 3d Regiment on their odyssey to destiny. He, along with B Co'y, were put into motion by the colonel's orders.

His diary continues. . .

"Monday Oct 17/64. Marched with Co "B" for Bijou Basin via Denver --Remainder of my command to cross plains to the Cut-off thence to destination-- Co "B" camped at 12 Mile House this eve. Cap't [Harper M. Orahood] & Self went to Denver.

Tuesday Oct 18/64. Cap't Orahood & self met command about 2 miles East of Denver and travelled with them to 4 Mile House on Cherry Creek above Denver --Rec'd orders from Col [George L.] Shoup which obliged me to return to Denver this Eve --Returned to Camp about 7 P.M.

Thursday Oct 20/64. Left camp about 7:15 Marched about 17 Miles through a fine rolling prairie --Ridges covered with scattered pines-- Camped about 2 P.M. on Running Creek [a little SE of present Parker, CO] the valley of which is fenced into Ranches nearly all of which are deserted some of the inhabitants having been Killed when the indian troubles first broke out. Cold this evening.

Friday Oct 21st 1864 Broke camp 8 A.M. Continued march up running creek about three miles. Crossed the divide to Kiowa Creek---Kiowa valley the most beautiful of any I have seen in the Territory---the only drawback being a scarcity of water---There has been some fine crops of grain raised in the valley this season---all of which is now harvested---Traveled nearly to the head of Kiowa and crossed the divide south easterly to Bijou Basin---which is situated at the junction of several small streams forming the main Bijou Creek---Bijou Basin is a circular valley about six or seven miles in diameter there is a number of very fine Ranches in the basin---Camp Evans where we now are and wgich is the present Head Quarters of the Third Col Cav is situated on Bijou Creek in about the center of the basin---There is now Seven Companies [out of twelve] here---Distance traveled today 20 Miles."

By this point, Sayr's diary entries become more frequent - almost daily - attesting to the clamor and heightened activity of the regiment.

16/10/2024

Obfuscation had almost certainly crowded the minds of Cheyenne and Arapaho leaders, white civilian officials, and U.S. Army officers by mid-October. Prepared, were vows and affirmation of peace overtures, but presented were battle plans and continued combat. And, both sides were accountable.

Mail contractor, Ben Holladay, penned a distressing letter to Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton, on October 15th regarding attacks on coaches W of Fort Kearny while Col. John Chivington issued an order to Maj. Samuel Logan, 3d CO Vol. Cavalry, at Junction Station [present Fort Morgan, CO], the day before to "keep a sharp lookout for Indians." Despite a scattered presence of Native Americans in the valleys of the Platte River system, the main concentration of Cheyenne and Arapaho people was shifting to the S to the vicinity of the Arkansas River.

It was Arapaho Chief Little Raven who first felt it. It was soon conveyed thereafter to Black Kettle and his Cheyennes - a distinct sense of uneasiness that seemed to pervade throughout the plains as the autumn days grew colder. During the congressional investigation of the Sand Creek affair in early 1865, Maj. Scott Anthony, 1st CO Vol. Cavalry, testified that "they [Cheyenne] said that they had heard through the Arapahoes that 'things looked dark' --that was the term they used-- that we were at war with them ; that they had come in [to Fort Lyon] to ascertain whether these bad reports they had received were correct or not."

Their senses proved to be acute, as even then the Army was in its inchoate stage of mobilization. On this day [October 16th] in 1864, Maj. Hal Sayr, 3d CO Vol. Cavalry, recorded in his diary, "Rec'd orders to march immediately with forces under my command to Bijou Basin there to join balance of the Regiment." Plans were being made for the Hundred Dazers yet at that time not one member of the regiment had any knowledge of the form they would take.

Photo Credits: Colorado Historical Society (History Colorado); American-Tribes.com; Fleischers Auction House

10/10/2024

The Cheyenne and Arapaho had fanned out across the wide expanse of the central plains from CO to KS by October in part to make it difficult for the Army to track them. But, they seemingly were always on the move in an attempt to avoid any encounters.

In late September, while the Cheyenne and Arapaho chiefs were in Denver City, George Bent and his Cheyennes had broken camp on Hackberry Creek in W KS and attempted to move down to the Arkansas River while avoiding detection. However, a small war party ran into a detachment of soldiers on Pawnee Fork and a small, sharp engagement ensued. Bent's Cheyennes outnumbered and surrounded the cavalry force under Maj. Scott Anthony, 1st CO Volunteer Cavalry. Bent wrote, "When Major Anthony saw the Indians coming he had taken the advice of his Delawares [scouts] and retreated away from Ash Creek to a small hill. This is what saved his party." Anthony told a different story. In the midst of heavy fire, one Delaware scout, Fall Leaf, had rushed from the line to scalp a Cheyenne who had been shot. "That seemed to strike more terror into those Indians [Cheyennes] than anything else we had done that day. And I do think, that if it had not been for that one thing, we should have lost a great many more of my men."

However, far to the NW on October 10th, 160 years ago to-day, a tiny group of Cheyennes were unable to escape the prowling eyes of the Army.

Captain David Nichols, D Co'y, 3d CO Volunteer Cavalry, had surprised a couple of Cheyenne lodges on the bluffs above the S. Platte River upstream from Valley Station. An officer of the "Hundred Dazers," now being chided in CO Territory as the "Bloodless Third" because of their lack of fighting, claimed to have inflicted ten casualties.

Reported Nichols, "they went under, one and all, and as trophies we brought ten ponies, one mule, and various other Indian fixings, and recovered several things which were taken from the whites, some of which I will mention. . .the scalp of some white lady and her shoes, covered with blood, and some articles of underclothing. We also found bills of lading, or perhaps more properly, freight bills, from parties in Saint Joseph to Denver merchants, and signed by one Peter Dolan, who no doubt went under. We also found Big Wolf's certificates of good character, friendship for whites, &c., but the lady's scalp and clothing fail to corroborate the statements of the back-handed gents who gave the certificates."

The "Bloodless Third" had now drawn blood. Meantime, the Cheyennes and Arapahoes sensed a change in the wind and continued their day-to-day lives uneasily. As Bent recorded, "the chiefs remained puzzled by what Chivington had said and could not make out clearly what his intentions were." After the October 10th fight, there likely was at least a shadow of doubt of the Army's recent peace overtures.

Photo Credits: Colorado Historical Society (History Colorado); Traces of the Past Collections

09/10/2024

To return to our on-going coverage of the 'Indian War of 1864,' on this date in 1864 comes an informative brief in Denver City's primary organ, The "Rocky Mountain News," regarding the status of Colorado Territory's military.

Although the new mounted regiment had been recruited and mustered into service of the United States Army by September, the 'Hundred Dazers' were apparently unable to ride very far.

Observe the ad submitted to the pages of the RMN by the QM's office.

29/09/2024

To-day marks the 145th anniversary of the Meeker Massacre and beginning of the Battle (and siege) of Milk Creek in NW Colorado. This video is quite a bit longer than my usual offerings. As such, please bear with me. 🙂 For more on this episode, book a tour with us. As always, thanks for watching!

28/09/2024

THE INDIAN WAR of 1864 - THE COUNCIL at CAMP WELD - Part II.

September 28, 1864. . .160 years ago.

During the conference, Evans inquired of Cheyenne headman White Antelope the depredations committed by his warriors on the Little Blue (and South Platte) rivers in central NE in early August.

The response was, "we took two prisoners west of Fort Kearney, and destroyed the trains." In this, White Antelope fully acknowledged (and implied with his use of the term 'we') that not only was warfare conducted, but that perhaps he had taken part in it. Yet, here he was claiming he was an advocate for peace.

At the close of the talks, Chivington adressed the chiefs saying, "my rule of fighting white men or Indians is to fight them until they lay down their arms and submit to military authority. You are nearer Major Wynkoop [at Fort Lyon] than any one else, and you can go to him when you are ready to do that."

With this the colonel was merely restating the language contained in Governor Evans' June proclamation, but hidden underneath his comment was dark deception as later events would unequivocally prove.

Both sides had spoken with "forked tongues."

The Cheyennes and Arapahoes left the conference satisfied with the belief that they would be safe if they moved their camps into the vicinity of Fort Lyon.

Traces of the Past shall continue the unfolding story of the 160th anniversary of the Indian War of 1864 in future posts.

Photo credits: History Colorado (Colorado Historical Society); Denver Public Library

27/09/2024

Anglo-Indian relations in the American West during the nineteenth century were truly muddy waters. Vows were seemingly always laced with duplicity. . .on both sides. This must be well understood before any accurate assessment of historical events can be fairly conducted.

THE INDIAN WAR of 1864 - THE COUNCIL at CAMP WELD - Part I. Our story continues. . .

Having ridden ahead, Wynkoop had arrived in Denver City with the freed white children in advance of the caravan, which had departed Fort Lyon on the 18th. He convinced a reluctant Governor John Evans to meet with the Cheyenne and Arapaho chiefs that were, even then, on their way to town.

To-morrow in 1864, 160 years ago, Evans, along with Wynkoop and other military officers, including Col. John M. Chivington, the boisterous giant who commanded the military District of Colorado, held a conference with the Indian leaders at Camp Weld, a military post just S of Denver.

Evans instructed Ute agent, Simeon Whiteley, to record the minutes of the council and to be detailed and precise, so that there could be no ambiguity. The talks took on the appearance of an amalgam of interview and interrogation by the governor. The chiefs dutifully answered Evans' myriad questions while periodically professing their desire for peace with the whites.

Cheyenne Chief Black Kettle even referenced Evans' circular of June 27th that essentially directed those tribesmen who were steadfastly against war to establish their camps near pre-designated military posts (Camp Collins being one of them). And that he, and the other headmen in attendance, had lived by that directive thereby demonstrating his/their peaceful intent.

The talks were lengthy and the statement meanings both sincere and somewhat veiled. But, duplicity peeked through in a couple of comments made during the proceedings, one by each side.

We'll examine them in part II.

Photo credits: Colorado Historical Society in Hoig, Stan; Traces of the Past History Tours Collection

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