American West: 1861-76

Lesson 2: The Army, Politics & Government, Indians & Wars

Black Kettle Talks Peace; Chivington and Evans Want War

In 1864 Colonel John M. Chivington was out to make war, and he had the blessing of the governor of the Colorado Territory. One of the first actions towards an Indian War occurred when some of Chivington’s men attacked the band under the Southern Cheyenne Peace Chief Black Kettle.

Previously, that winter, Black Kettle and Lean Bear, with about four hundred of their people, had camped near Fort Larned, Kansas. But winter passed and these Cheyenne were now moving north in mid-May, hunting buffalo. Near the Smoky Hill River they came upon some of Chivington’s soldiers.

Lean Bear rode out to show them the papers in his possession, signed by President Abraham Lincoln, telling of his friendly character. The soldiers shot Lean Bear and his companion from their ponies. Then the soldiers opened fire with howitzers. Of course the Indians returned the fire, but only until Black Kettle rode up and stopped them. When the soldiers left, twenty-eight Indians lay dead.

Now the Indians were really out for revenge, which was what Chivington and Evans wanted. In August, Evans received permission from Washington to recruit another regiment. This would be the Third Colorado Cavalry and would serve one hundred days. This cavalry, unlike the first two, would not be concerned with the American Civil War. This cavalry would fight Indians. Chivington and Evans were now ready for their big Indian War, and for election day.

Winter was quickly approaching the Plains, and the Indians began to think more of getting ready for this cold time. Their ardor for war began to subside. Sensing this change, Black Kettle began to speak of holding peace talks with the whites. His suggestion did not completely meet with agreement from some of the chiefs. Why should it? The whites started the war. Besides, their raids on the Platte and Arkansas Rivers, as well as against the lonely homesteads, still yielded plunder and captives — which is to say the Indians were no way totally innocent. But Black Kettle still felt he could bring about peace.

After Black Kettle had a letter written for him asking for peace talks and offering to release the white captives they held, a small band of Indians rode off at great peril to deliver the missive. It was fortunate that they fell into the hands of Major Edward W. Wynkoop.

Major Edward W. Wynkoop

This commander of Fort Lyon was an unusually sensitive man and a compassionate officer. A preliminary meeting was arranged, resulting in Black Kettle turning over four white captives. On September 18, Wynkoop happily wrote to Governor Evans, advising him that he was on his way to Denver. With him, he noted, were Black Kettle and other chiefs. They were coming to Denver for peace talks.

Want to hear more about the gold rush in Colorado during this time period? Here's an interesting read at:

Cripple Creek Mining District By Elizabeth Gibson http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/old_... Cripple Creek is about 25 miles west of Pike's Peak, in Central Colorado. Before the big gold rush, the area was used to graze livestock by a few homesteaders. Cripple Creek got its name from drovers when a frightened calf jumped over a fence, landed in a gully and broke its leg.

Further exploration of the above subjects can be found in Robert Utley’s The Indian Frontier of the American West, 1846 – 1890.