Ronald V Rockwell

The Sand Creek Narrative Ronald V Rockwell

On November 29, 1864, Colonel John Chivington led an attack against the village of Cheyenne Chief Black Kettle on Sand Creek in Colorado Territory. Why was the attack carried out? How was it carried out? How did it compare to other strikes on Indian villages during our Indian Wars? A governmental investigation ensued. The principals accused were John Chivington and Governor John Evans. A background sketch is provided of the history of the Cheyenne and Arapahoe tribes in present-day Colorado and Kansas pre-Sand Creek and post-Sand Creek up to Custer's attack at Washita in November 1868. Specifically, the author examines the narrative published by the Joint Committee for the Conduct of War concluding its investigation of the attack. The author refutes many of the claims made by this congressional body as extremely biased and, in some cases, highly inaccurate to the point of outright falsehoods. Witness testimony is examined and falsehoods and contradictions laid bare. A post-Sand Creek description of the activities of Black Kettle's Cheyenne and the Left Hand's Arapahoe is provided up to Custer's attack at Washita in November 1868.