The Sand Creek massacre (also known as the Chivington massacre, the battle of Sand Creek or the massacre of Cheyenne Indians) was a massacre of Cheyenne and Arapaho people by the U.S. Army in the American Indian Wars that occurred on November 29, 1864, when a 675-man force of the Third Colorado Cavalry under the command of U.S. VolunteersColonel John Chivington attacked and destroyed a village of Cheyenne and Arapaho people in southeastern Colorado Territory, killing and mutilating an estimated 69 to over 600 Native American people. Chivington claimed 500 to 600 warriors were killed. However, most sources estimate around 150 people were killed, about two-thirds of whom were women and children.

SC Celebration

Hero of Sand Creek

Mountain of Bison Skulls

It has taken longer than it should to finally shine a light on the massacre.  This exhibit at the Colorado History Museum is a big step in this process.  Dialog is from the Indian perspective as is appropriate.  An interesting side light is that Territorial Governor Evans is buried in the same cemetery along with Silas Soule who is arguable one of the heroes  of Sand Creek for NOT letting the troops under his command enter into the massacre.  Here is a link to Riverside Cemetery here in Denver.

“A Misplaced Massacre” is highly recommended.  It is not only the story of Sand Creek but also a recounting of how we finally have a National Park Service site where we think the massacre occurred.  A very interesting read.