Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site

"All we ask is that we may have peace with the whites...We want to take good tidings home to our people, that they may sleep in peace."

Cheyenne Chief Black Kettle

As tensions mounted, Chiefs Black Kettle and Left Hand pled for peace. They wrote to Major Wynkoop at Fort Lyon, expressing their desire to end violence. Wynkoop and 125 men marched apprehensively to the Smoky Hill River to meet with them. Negotiations followed. With renewed hope, Wynkoop and the chiefs headed for a peace counsel in Denver.

They met with Governor John Evans, Colonel John Chivington, and other officials on September 28, 1864 at Camp Weld. Chivington made his position clear: "My rule of fighting white men or Indians is to fight until they lay down their arms and submit to military authority. You are nearer to Major Wynkoop than anyone else, and you can go to him [at Fort Lyon] when you get ready to do that."

Of twelve-hundred Cheyenne and Arapaho camped near Sand Creek in the autumn of 1864, about 650 Arapaho moved to Fort Lyon. "Prisoner rations" were not enough to sustain them, so they moved further east. A small Arapaho village under chief Left Hand chose instead to join the 500 or more Cheyenne still camped at Sand Creek.

(Image Caption)
Camp Weld Council - Major Wynkoop and Captain Soule kneel in front, Black Kettle sits behind them, third from left.

Sorry, but we don't have a picture of this historical marker yet. If you have a picture, please share it with us. It's simple to do. 1) Become a member. 2) Adopt this historical marker listing. 3) Upload the picture.

Show me all markers in:  Eads, CO  |  Kiowa County  |  81036  |  Colorado  |  United States of America

Why?
Testimony
Healing
Remains
The Sand Creek Massacre
The Attack
Kiowa County Veterans Memorial, a War Memorial
High Plains Country
Eads Roadside Park Exhibit
Unity Lodge No. 142, A.F. & A.M.

• GPX
• KML
• LOC

Have you seen this marker? If so, check in and tell us about it.