Traces of the Past History Tours

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

21/09/2024

🌶️ Traces returned to Pueblo today to celebrate the 30th annual Pueblo Chile & Frijoles Festival; enjoyed a “slopper” at Coors Tavern, which turned 90 this year; and washed it all down with a beer at Walter's Brewery & Taproom, one of Colorado’s oldest breweries (est. 1898).

History + food = happy business owners 😍🌶️🍔🍺

13/09/2024

THE WYNKOOP PEACE EXPEDITION AND THE INDIAN WAR OF 1864 - Part II

After over one month in captivity, Laura Roper, Daniel "Danny" Marble, Ambrose Asher, and Isabelle Eubank were finally released by the Cheyenne into the custody of the U.S. Army. Except for sixteen-year-old Laura, all were mere children - Danny (age 9), Ambrose (age 7), and Isabelle (age 3) - and all had personally witnessed their relations being murdered in the attacks on August 7th and 8th along the banks of the Little Blue and South Platte Rivers in central NE.

The Arapaho leader, Neva, who had been the last "owner" of Laura Roper had informed her a few days prior that she was likely to be given up. However, it depended on the results of the council between the Cheyenne-Arapaho assemblage and Maj. Wynkoop's column.

Years later, Miss Roper conveyed the event.

"The next morning we set out to find them [Army] and about 4 o'clock in the evening we came in sight of Major E. W. Wyncoop's camp. When we got about within one-half mile of the camp Neva and the other Indians began running their horses right up to the camp where there were 150 soldiers with Major Wyncoop in command. I was turned over to the commanding officer at once. The Indians had brought along, also, three other prisoners with them, which fact I did not know till then: Belle Eubank; Danny Marple [sic], whom they had captured at Plum Creek above Fort Kearney when his father was killed, and Connie Eubank [she meant Ambrose Asher], who was captured on the Little Blue near where I was captured."

Some days passed before the council broke up and the parties went their separate ways. Wynkoop, along with the liberated children, provided an es**rt for the Cheyenne and Arapaho emissaries Black Kettle, White Antelope, Bull Bear, Neva, Bosse, Heap-of-Buffalo, and Na-Ta-Ne, who were to meet with Colorado Territorial governor, John Evans, in Denver City, for another conference.

A fortnight would elapse before the entourage reached the budding young city at the confluence of Cherry Creek and the South Platte.

Within days after their arrival a Denver photographer managed to have the former captives pose for an image. From left to right: Ambrose Asher (likely), Laura Roper, Isabelle Eubank, and Danny Marble. How these kids fared after their ordeal will be told in a later post.

Photo credit: Nebraska State Historical Society

12/09/2024

THE WYNKOOP PEACE EXPEDITION AND THE INDIAN WAR OF 1864 - Part I

On this day, being September 12th, one hundred sixty years ago, events were continuing to take shape to direct the course toward Sand Creek.

Major Edward Wanshear Wynkoop, 1st Colorado Volunteer Cavalry, trusted his intuition that the message of Black Kettle's dictated letter was sincere and that the leader of the S Cheyenne desired peace and would turn four white prisoners over to the U.S. Army as proof of his intentions.

The captives, all under the age of eighteen, had been taken as part of the powerful raids conducted by the Cheyenne during early August in the Little Blue and South Platte River valleys of central NE. And, the Army had attempted to track them down ever since, but with no success. Until now.

Wynkoop was caught in a quandary, however. Here was an opportunity to secure both a resolution of peace and the return of the prisoners, but he was not authorized to counsel with them, nor would there be enough time to seize this opportunity if he proceeded via the proper military channels. "Ned," as Wynkoop was called, risked punishment and decided to ride with 130 men to meet the Native Americans at their encampment.

When "I reached my destination [I] was confronted by from 600 to 800 Indian warriors drawn up in line of battle and prepared to fight." Vastly outnumbered, did Wynkoop make a dreadful mistake? As good fortune would have it, the rendezvous was not a trap.

"They consented to meet me in council, and I then proposed to them that if they desired peace to give me palpable evidence of their sincerity by delivering into my possession their white prisoners. I told them I was not authorized to conclude terms of peace with them, but if they acceded to my proposition I would take what chiefs they might choose to select to the Governor of Colorado Territory and state the circumstances to him, and that I believed it would result in what it was their desire to accomplish, viz, peace with their white brethren."

*Follow this serial post as it will continue with Part II.

07/09/2024

In earlier posts we have introduced to you a historical figure named Lt. Eugene F. Ware, F Co'y, 7th Iowa Volunteer Cavalry. Ware spent his time on the plains shuttling back and forth between Post Cottonwood (present North Platte, NE) and Fort Laramie, serving some time at Camp Rankin, later Fort Sedgwick (present Julesburg, CO), in 1864.

While at Rankin, he was detailed to lead a thirty-man detachment to procure wood for the coming winter. However, like most locales on the plains, the immediate vicinity of the post was entirely destitute of trees. As a result, the small command was compelled to travel thirty-five miles N and E to Ash Hollow in W Nebraska, the nearest supply of plentiful wood.

So, how did a detachment of soldiers transport logs that distance? With wagons, of course - but, with one modification - without their canvas covers. This small duty occurred 160 years ago to-day, September 7th, and Ware described the embarkation thus,

"Bright and early in the morning of September 7, 1864, I started, and with four teams, picket-rope, howitzer, and provisions, taking the boxes off the wagons, and driving with only the running-gear."

Since this was an isolated column of soldiers, they had to always be on their guard.

Ware continued, "we then drove the wagons up Ash Hollow, put out pickets, and started cutting and loading the wood. It was a kind of cedar. I really don't now remember whether it was the pinon pine or whether it was cedar. The trunks were thick at the base, short and bushy, and hard to cut. But the men worked hard, and reinforced each other, and the pickets came in, and were relieved, and took turns, and in the afternoon about three o'clock we had as much on the wagons as could be safely loaded to get out of the gulch with."

The stripped-down wagons were so heavily ladened with fuel that they required double teams to pull them from out of the steep arroyo. For protection at night the command formed their wagons in a circle, or similar shape, to create a corral in which to keep their animals. On the return journey they had a more stout defense, as the wood acted as an added shield.

Imagine having to travel on horse or mule seventy total miles several times each season just to obtain enough wood to heat the inside of your house!

Photos: Hansen Wheel & Wagon Shop; Traces of the Past photo library

31/08/2024

🌞Soaking up the last day of August on our “In the Footsteps of the Explorers” walking tour with this fun crew from ! They were well prepared for the searing afternoon sun while Mark Serour shared the tales of the explorers who travelled the exact ground upon which we walked.

We learned some interesting facts about our guests including:

* One is a freshman at CSU (go Rams!) 🐏💚💛
* One attends CU 🦬🖤💛
* One is originally from South Africa and shared some biltong with us (South African jerky)
* One is a survivor of 911 🙏

Feeling fortunate for the opportunity to meet so many interesting people on our history tours!

29/08/2024

24/08/2024

The Traces team loves supporting and today we visited NoCo Cat Cafe in Loveland; 😻 We highly recommend checking them out (be sure to make a reservation!)

So appreciate what owners Christopher and Kimberly are doing for our feline friends - thanks for creating this wonderful space for cats! 🐈❤️

20/08/2024

As he approached 2d Lt. James Hanna, F Co'y, 11th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry (OVC) and his troopers riding along the south bank of the Cache la Poudre River, soon-to-be Camp Collins sutler, Joseph Mason, admonished him to locate - or more accurately relocate - the military post on the land adjacent to his claim, also on the south bank. If he would but reconnoiter the spot, said Mason, he would understand.

After a swollen Poudre laid waste to the tiny garrison of Camp Collins upstream in Laporte on June 11th, 1864 orders were issued to find suitable ground upon which to reestablish the post and Hanna and his detachment of horsemen were charged with the task of ascertaining it.

To be sure, the initial location of the post had other drawbacks. First, it was wedged in between civilian properties which prevented any future growth, if any was ever required, and second, it was surrounded by the population of the community of Laporte, which carried with it its own peculiar brand of difficulties.

Hanna surveyed the land recommended by Mason and found that it was, in fact, good ground. Possibly its most salient attribute was that it sat on an elevation high enough, it was calculated, to avoid a potential second flooding disaster.

On this day, August 20, 1864, 160 years ago, Lt. Col. William Oliver Collins, 11th OVC, having returned from a brief trip to Denver City, inspected Hanna's selected location, examined it, and gave his approval. In Special Order No. 1, dated August 20th, he wrote,

"The importance of a permanent post on the Cache la Poudre River near its outlet from the mountains in the vicinity of the junction of the mail line from Denver and the Overland Mail route, and about the line between the Utes, Arapahoes and Cheyennes makes it proper and necessary to change the location of Camp Collins to some point near, which will afford more space for improvement, be free from overflow by high waters, and the interference and injury to discipline from lot-holders in the town of Laporte and the settlers and claimants of land in the immediate neighborhood.

The following ground now unoccupied, uninclosed [sic] and unimproved and with no known claimants thereto, is therefore taken and appropriated for military purposes. And no citizen will be permitted to settle upon, occupy or in any manner encroach on the same, for any purpose whatever, without lease from proper military authorities, to wit: Beginning in the center of the main channel of the Cache la Poudre River, where the last line of the claim of Joseph Mason, on which he now lives, crosses the same, thence south four miles, thence east four miles, thence north about four miles to the center of the main channel of the Cache la Poudre River, thence with the center of said river up the main channel thereof following its meanderings to the place of beginning."

Fort Collins had been reborn! However, its "second life" proved to be as brief as its first and on a tour of western facilities in early September 1866, Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman pronounced the post, "of no use" and added, "I would recommend that the reservation there be given up to settlers." The post was decommissioned and all serviceable stores and equipment ordered moved. By the end of the month the last troops marched out of the garrison and it passed into history.

To learn more about Fort Collins and the Frontier Army book a "Military Years" tour with us!

15/08/2024

We continue with our commemoration of the 160th anniversary of the 'Indian War of 1864' with another contributing piece to that defining historic episode.

On August 13th, in what would prove to have far-reaching consequences, Colorado Territory's Governor, John Evans, was given authorization from military authorities in Washington to recruit the 3rd Colorado Volunteer Cavalry.

Word had spread since April of an impending large-scale offensive by unified plains tribesmen against white towns and settlements. And to many, this seemed to indeed be in the offing as borne out by the chronology of events from Nebraska to Kansas to Colorado throughout the summer. The latest raids in central Nebraska (see our last post) conducted by Cheyenne warriors between August 7-9 added to the unnerving expectancy.

Indeed, the Platte River Route, Denver's primary supply artery, had essentially been severed as a result of the Indian assaults. A brief in the Rocky Mountain News (Denver) of August 15th said soberly, "there is no prospect whatever of mails being resumed between here at Atchison [KS]. The country is deserted between here and within forty miles of Atchison. Not a soul on the road." Further, a fairly trustworthy Lakota headman "told the Post [Fort Kearny, NE] Commander that in a short time that Fort and other points along the road would be attacked in sufficient strength to 'clean the country of the whites and the soldiers.' "

Rosters were filled by the latter half of September and the unit was officially mustered into service on the 20th; total strength of the regiment - over 1,100 officers and men. The 3rd Colorado were to serve but a short time, the term of enlistment was one hundred days.

The "Hundred Dazers" will appear in upcoming installments as Traces of the Past continues to post on the 160th anniversary of the Indian War of 1864.

08/08/2024

Just after six o'clock in the morning on August 8, 1864 - 160 years ago to-day - along the course of Plum Creek in central Nebraska, the serenity of the breaking day was shattered by a force of charging Cheyenne warriors estimated at around one hundred.

As they galloped headlong down the Platte River Road their target was the twelve freight wagons that collectively comprised the Morton/Kelly/Marble train, all creeping westward. Their destination - Denver City. But, so sudden was the appearance of the Indians that by the time they were positively identified the engagement had been joined.

James Smith who rode in advance of the train wheeled in the saddle and turned back to warn the lead wagon driven by a man named St. Clair. But, the Cheyennes were upon him in mere seconds and swiftly cut him down, followed immediately by St. Clair. Smith's wife managed to escape by jumping off the wagon and scurrying to a creek-side thicket.

Soon, the remainder of the wagons were engulfed with mounted screaming warriors, the whites desperately attempting to mount a defense. But, with the nature of the assault, the numerical superiority of the Cheyennes, and the lack of time for organization, it quickly became a massacre, with every person attempting to save themselves.

As Frank Morton and his wife, Nancy Jane Fletcher Morton (age 19) entered the fray, Nancy hurled herself from the seat of their wagon. Another wagon dashed right up behind, its wheel catching her in the midsection. Everything was chaos and confusion with mules braying, sporadic gunfire, smoke from burning wagons, and the incessant "war whoops."

Nancy's brother, William, and her cousin John were punctured with several arrows, both gasping their last breath as she watched helplessly. As she later recorded, "the Indians encircled us, and the air was full of arrows. At that moment an arrow struck my cousin which proved fatal and he fell dead at my feet. In another instant three arrows penetrated my brother's body, he too fell at my feet and his last words were, "tell Susan I am killed. Good bye my dear sister."

All told, thirteen men were killed in the surprise Cheyenne attack. Nancy was taken captive, along with a boy named Danny Marble (age 9). Danny was released after just over one month and taken to Denver City. Weakened and vulnerable from his plight, he died of disease (possibly typhoid) less than two months later. Nancy's time as a prisoner was much longer and more tortuous, but she survived. Hers is a lamentable story that finally concluded in January, 1865, at which time she was released to soldiers of the 11th OH Volunteer Cavalry at Platte Bridge Station (present Casper, WY). She had been a prisoner for almost six months!

Learn more about the 1864 Cheyenne raids and Plum Creek Massacre by taking our tours!

Photos: Nancy Morton (History Nebraska); all others Traces of the Past History Tours Archives