If you go
What: In the second Chief Niwot forum, “Congress Meets Sand Creek: Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell’s Fight for a National Historic Site,” Campbell and Congressman David Skaggs share the story of the creation of the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site and its role in memorializing the tragedy. Cosponsored by the Boulder History Museum and Native American Rights Fund.
When: 7-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19
Where: Museum of Boulder, 2205 Broadway, Boulder
Tickets: $20 general admission, $10 Boulder History Museum members and NARF donors
Info: boulderhistory.org, 303-449-3464
Nov. 29 marks the 150th anniversary of the Sand Creek Massacre, perhaps the most shameful chapter in Colorado’s history.
And this heinous attack on peaceful Arapahos and Cheyennes is Boulder County’s historical burden to bear, as well.
As the new settlements, including Denver and Boulder, developed, Territorial Gov. John Evans called for a new treaty. In 1861, the Treaty of Fort Wise reduced the Indian land to an area in Southern Colorado one-tenth the size of the previous treaty.
In June 1864, the Nathan Hungate family was murdered just east of Denver. Their bodies were brought to Denver for display, and Indians were blamed, though no one was ever prosecuted for the murders. Gov. Evans used this heightened fear of Indian attacks and appealed to Washington, D.C. for permission to raise a regiment to fight hostile natives.
In June 1864, the Nathan Hungate family was murdered just east of Denver. Their bodies were brought to Denver for display, and Indians were blamed, though no one was ever prosecuted for the murders. Gov. Evans used this heightened fear of Indian attacks and appealed to Washington, D.C. for permission to raise a regiment to fight hostile natives.
Citizens began to arm themselves and forts were constructed as protection from possible Indian violence. One of those forts was just outside Boulder on the property of George Chambers. Built of sod, the fort has since decomposed, but it was located near 63rd and Valmont.
Evans received authorization for a 100-day U.S. Volunteer cavalry. Recruitment began in Denver and Boulder with a notice published in newspapers and posted in various locations: ATTENTION! INDIAN FIGHTERS. The document added further incentive: “The Company will also be entitled to all horses and other plunder taken from the Indians.”
Boulder County’s group of Indian fighters mustered in at Fort Chambers in late August 1864. More than 100 men from the county participated, according to a roster at the Carnegie Branch Library for Local History.
Participants included some of the very founders of Boulder and Longmont, including Jonas Anderson Jr., of the Anderson Ditch family; early settler of Longmont Morse Coffin; Boulder lawyer and judge Granville Berkley; Boulder pioneer James Arbuthnot; Longmont pioneer William Dickens, namesake of the Dickens Opera House, and brothers Porter and Platte Hinman, of the Hinman Ditch family.
Boulder County Sheriff David Nichols relinquished his post to serve as Captain of Company D of the Third Colorado Cavalry.
The group rode down to southern Colorado and joined up with Colonel John Chivington and his troops of the Third and First Colorado regiments.
On Nov. 29, 1864, upon locating the village of 160 tipis on the Big Sandy Creek, Chivington ordered his troops (about 675 total) to attack, even as Cheyenne Chief Black Kettle raised the U.S. flag and a white flag of truce. After a murderous attack that lasted six to eight hours, about 200 mostly women, children and elderly Cheyenne and Arapaho people were dead and mutilated.
The soldiers were given a hero’s welcome upon their return. However, the perpetration was quickly recognized as anything but heroic. Capt. Silas Soule of the Colorado First, who held back his troops, wrote on Dec. 14, 1864, “…it was hard to see little children on their knees have their brains beat out by men professing to be civilized.”
Steve Hinman recently posted a comment on the Sand Creek Massacre Commemorative Commission website. “Two of my ancestors rode with Chivington on that horrible day, Porter M. Hinman and his brother, Platte Hinman. They were under the command of Captain David Nichols as part of the Boulder volunteers. The irony of their participation was that their father, Porter T. Hinman, was a friend of Left Hand. My father could not forgive Porter M. and Platte for being a part of the slaughter …. Peace.”
Lt. Joe Cramer of the Colorado First, who also refused to fire, wrote: “Left Hand stood with his hands folded across his breast until he was shot, saying, ‘Soldiers no hurt me — soldiers my friends.”
Donlyn Arbuthnot’s great grand-uncle, James Arbuthnot, also served under David Nichols. She recently paid homage at the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site. In a recent email interview, Arbuthnot said, “So I went to apologize to the spirits there for what happened at Sand Creek and to apologize for the general attitude of the time that Native Americans were predestined to die. It was also important to be there for my Arapaho and Cheyenne friends, to show my gratitude that they and their people are still here. I support their healing through the National Park’s preservation of this history.”
Carol Taylor and Silvia Pettem write about history for the Daily Camera. Email Carol at boulderhistorylibrarian@gmail.com, Silvia at pettem@earthlink.net or write to the Daily Camera, 5450 Western Ave., Boulder 80301.
