My body
started to cry. I felt it all around my eyes. I felt it in my face cheeks. I
felt it in my chest tightening. I felt it in my intestinal area. It felt like
my whole body was crying.
I will never
feel the same on the day we commemorate Thanksgiving day.
In less than
two days, our USA will celebrate a Thanksgiving tradition based on the most horrifying
kinds of sins of humankind. We are no better than any other perpetrators of genocide. I thought Nanking was unbearable to read about. The holocaust the world knows. But this. This. We did.
It is all so
much clearer now. What this nation is built upon. Read the Declaration of Independence with this in mind.
Here is a portion:
The history of the present
King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all
having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these
States.
To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world...
He has
excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the
inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of
warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.
And the beginning of the Declaration:
We hold these truths to be
self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their
Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and
the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are
instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the
governed, — That whenever any Form of
Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to
alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation
on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall
seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will
dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and
transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are
more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by
abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of
abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to
reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to
throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.
— Such has been the patient sufferance of
these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter
their former Systems of Government.
Today, I was watching the documentary on the Sand Creek Massacre. A Native American was talking of a woman during the massacre: "She was scalped and her hands were holding up
her face".
152 years ago. Our president was Abraham Lincoln*. (Incumbent president, elected Tuesday, November 8, 1864.)
During the terror, other Cheyenne and Arapaho begged
on their knees for mercy. They got none. A white flag had been flying over them. But it didn't change a thing.
Fingers,
noses, scalps of Cheyenne, Arapaho were paraded through the white settled town.
This is who we were. Who we are. Until. We admit, ask for forgiveness and begin the healing on both sides.
The
documentary that I watched today, in its entirety ~
The Sand
Creek Massacre was a massacre in the American Indian Wars that occurred on
November 29, 1864 ~ 675 to 700 members of the Colorado Territory militia embarked on an attack of
Cheyenne and Arapaho Indian villages. The militia was led by U.S. Army Col.
John Chivington, a Methodist preacher, as well as a freemason.
I watched the Sand Creek Massacre documentary after I watched this one ~
The Forgotten War
French and
Indian War, which is also the seven-year war about who controls North America.
Two Letters
Regarding the Sand Creek Massacre
Captain Silas Soule wrote a letter,
as did Lt. Joseph Cramer. These two letters were to Major Edward Wynkoop.
The
letter by Captain Silas Soule, who served as second in command,
to Major Edward Wynkoop regarding Sand Creek Massacre follows unedited.
Fort Lyon,
C.T.
December 14,
1864
Dear Ned:
Two days
after you left here the 3rd Reg't with a Battalion of the 1st arrived here,
having moved so secretly that we were not aware of their approach until they
had Pickets around the Post, allowing no one to pass out! They arrested Capt.
Bent and John Vogle and placed guards around their houses. They then declared
their intention to massacre the friendly Indians camped on Sand Creek.
Major Anthony
gave all information, and eagerly Joined in with Chivington and Co. and ordered
Lieut. Cramer with his whole Co. to Join the command. As soon as I knew of
their movement I was indignant as you would have been were you here and went to
Cannon's room, where a number of officers of the 1st and 3rd were congregated
and told them that any man who would take part in the murders, knowing the
circumstances as we did, was a low lived cowardly son of a bitch. Capt. Y. J. Johnson and Lieut. Harding
went to camp and reported to Chiv, Downing and the whole outfit what I had said,
and you can bet hell was to pay in camp.
Chiv and all
hands swore they would hang me before they moved camp, but I stuck it out, and
all the officers at the Post, except Anthony backed me. I was then ordered with my whole
company to Major A- with 20 days rations. I told him I would not take part in
their intended murder, but if they were going after the Sioux, Kiowa’s or any
fighting Indians, I would go as far as any of them. They said that was what they were going for, and I joined
them. We arrived at Black Kettles
and Left Hand's Camp at daylight.
Lieut. Wilson with Co.s "C", "E" & "G"
were ordered to in advance to cut off their herd. He made a circle to the rear
and formed a line 200 yds from the village, and opened fire.
Poor Old John
Smith and Louderbeck ran out with white flags but they paid no attention to
them, and
they ran back into the tents.
Anthony then rushed up with Co’s “D” “K” & “G” to within one hundred
yards and commenced firing. I
refused to fire and swore that none but a coward would. for by this time
hundreds of women and children were coming toward us and getting on their knees
for mercy. Anthony shouted,
"kill the sons of bitches" Smith and Louderbeck came to our command,
although I am
confident there were 200 shots fired at them, for I heard an officer say that
Old Smith and any one who sympathized with the Indians, ought to be killed and
now was a good time to do it. The
Battery then came up in our rear, and opened on them. I took my Comp’y across the Creek, and by this time the
whole of the 3rd and the Batteries were firing into them and you can form some
idea of the slaughter.
When the
Indians found there was no hope for them they went for the Creek and got under
the banks and some of the bucks got their Bows and a few rifles and defended
themselves as well as they could.
By this time there was no organization among our troops, they were a
perfect mob – every man on his own hook.
My Co. was the only one that kept their formation, and we did not fire a
shot.
The massacre
lasted six or eight hours, and a good many Indians escaped. I tell you Ned it was hard to see
little children on their knees have their brains beat out by men professing to
be civilized. One squaw was wounded and a fellow took a hatchet to finish her, and
he cut one arm off, and held the other with one hand and dashed the hatchet
through her brain. One squaw with her two children, were on their knees,
begging for their lives of a dozen soldiers, within ten feet of them all firing
- when one succeeded in hitting the squaw in the thigh, when she took a knife
and cut the throats of both children and then killed herself. One Old Squaw hung herself in the lodge
- there was not enough room for her to hang and she held up her knees and
choked herself to death. Some
tried to escape on the Prairie, but most of them were run down by
horsemen. I saw two Indians hold
one of anothers hands, chased until they were exhausted, when they kneeled
down, and clasped each other around the neck and both were shot together. They
were all scalped, and as high as half a dozen taken from one head. They were
all horribly mutilated. One woman was cut open and a child taken out of her,
and scalped.
White
Antelope, War Bonnet and a number of others had Ears and Privates cut off. Squaws
snatches were
cut out for trophies. You would
think it impossible for white men to butcher and
mutilate
human beings as they did there, but every word I have told you is the truth,
which they do not deny. It was
almost impossible to save any of them.
Charly Autobee save John Smith and Winsers squaw. I saved little Charlie Bent. Geo. Bent
was killed.
Jack Smith
was taken prisoner, and murdered the next day in his tent by one of Dunn’s Co. “E”
I understand the man received a horse
for doing the job. They were going
to murder Charlie Bent, but I run him into the Fort. They were going to kill Old Uncle John Smith, but Lt. Cannon
and the boys of Ft. Lyon, interfered, and saved him. They would have murdered Old Bents family, if Col. Tappan
had not taken the matter in hand.
Cramer went up with twenty men, and they did not like to buck
against so many of the 1st.
Chivington has gone to Washington to be made General, I suppose, and get
authority to raise a nine months Reg’t to hunt Indians. He said Downing will have me cashiered
if possible. If they do I want you
to help me. I think they will try
the same for Cramer for he has shot his mouth off a good deal, and did not
shoot his pistol off in the Massacre.
Joe has behaved first rate during this whole affair. Chivington reports five or six hundred
killed, but there were not more than two hundred, about 140 women and children
and 60 Bucks. A good many were out
hunting buffalo. Our best Indians
were killed. Black Kettle, One
Eye, Minnemic, and Left Hand. Geo.
Pierce of Co. “F” was killed trying to save John Smith. There was one other of the 1st killed
and nine of the 3rd all through their own fault. They would get up to the edge of the bank and look over, to
get a shot at an Indian under them.
When the women were killed the Bucks did not seem to try and get away,
but fought desperately. Charly
Autobee wished me to write all about it to you. He says he would have given anything if you could have been
there.
I suppose
Cramer has written to you, all the particulars, so I will write half. Your family is well. Billy Wilker, Col. Tappen, Wilson (who
was wounded in the arm) start for Denver in the morning. There is no news I can think of. I expect we will have a hell of a time
with Indians this winter. We have
(200) men at the Post – Anthony in command. I think he will be dismissed when the facts are known in
Washington. Give my regards to any
friends you come across, and write as soon as possible.
Yours, SS
(signed) S.S. Soule
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lieutenant
Cramer wrote his letter to Major Wynkoop five days later:
Ft. Lyon,
C.T.
December 19,
1864
Dear Major:
This is the
first opportunity I have had of writing you since the great Indian Massacre,
and for a start, I will acknowledge I am ashamed to own [acknowledge] I was in
it with my Co. Col. Chivington came down here with the gallant third, known as
the Chivington Brigade, like a thief in the dark, throwing his Scouts around
the Post, with instructions to let no one out, without his orders, not even the
Commander of the Post, and for shame our Comd’g. Officer submitted. Col.
Chivington expected to find the Indians in camp below the Com[mand]—but the
Major Comd’g told him all about where the Indians were, and volunteered to take
a Battalion from the Post and join the Expedition.
Well Col.
Chiv. got in about 10 A.M. Nov. 28th and, at 8 P.M., we started with all of the
3d, parts of “H” “C” and “E” of the First, in com’d of Lt. Wilson [and] “K” “D”
& “G” in com’d of Major
Anthony. Marched all night up Sand [Creek], to the big bend in Sanday [sic]
about 15 or 20 miles, above where we crossed on our trip to Smoky Hill and came
on to Black Kettles village of 103 lodges, containing not over 500 all told,
350 of which were women and children. Three days previous to our going out,
Major Anthony gave John Smith, Lowderbuck [sic] of Co. “G” and a Gov’t driver
[Richard Watson Clark], permission to go out there and trade with them, and
they were in the village when the fight came off. John Smith came out holding
up his hands, and running towards us, when he was shot at by several, and the
word was passed along to shoot him. He then turned back, and went to his tent,
and got behind some Robes, and escaped unhurt. Lowderbuck [sic] came out with a
white flag, and was served the same as John Smith; the driver the same. Well I
got so mad I swore I would not burn powder, and I did not. Capt. Soule the
same. It is no use for me to try to tell you how the fight was managed, only I
think the Officer in command should be hung, and I know when the truth is known
it will cashier him. We lost 40 men wounded, and 10 killed. Not over 250
Indians mostly women and children, and I think not over 200 were killed and not
over 75 bucks. With proper management they could all have been killed and not
lost over 10 men. After the fight there was a sight I hope I may never see
again. Bucks, women and children were scalped, fingers cut off to get the rings
on them, and this as much with Officers as men, and one of those officers a
Major; and a Lt. Col. Cut off Ears of all he came across—a squaw ripped open
and a child taken from her, little children shot, while begging for their
lives, women shot while on their knees, and with their arms around soldiers a
begging for their lives, and all the indignities shown their bodies that ever
was heard of, things that Indians would be ashamed to do. To give you some
little idea, Squaws were known to kill their own children, and then themselves,
rather than to have them taken prisoners. Most of the Indians yielded 4 or 5
scalps. But enough! for I know you are disgusted already. Black Kettle, White
Antelope, War Bonnet, Left Hand, Little Robe, and several other chiefs were
killed. Black Kettle said when he saw us coming, that he was glad, for it was
Major Wynkoop coming to make peace. Left Hand stood with his hands folded
across his breast, until he was shot saying: “Soldiers no hurt me—soldiers my
friends.” One Eye was killed: was in the employ of Gov’t as spy: came into the
Post a few days before, and reported about the Sioux, were going to break out
at Learned [Fort Larned, Kansas], which proved true.
After all the
pledges made by Major A— to these Indians and then to take the course he did. I
think no comments are necessary from me; only I will say he has a face for
every man he talks [to]. The action taken by Capt Soule and myself were under
protest. Col. C-- was going to have Soule hung for saying there were all
cowardly Sons of B---s; if Soule did not take it back, but nary take back with
Soule. I told the Col that I thought it murder to jump them friendly Indians.
He says in reply: Damn any man or men who are in sympathy with them. Such men
as you and Major Wynkoop better leave the U.S. Service, so you can judge what a
nice time we had on the trip. I expect Col. C-- and Downing will do all in
their power to have Soule, [Lt. Chauncey M.] Cossitt and I dismissed. Well, let
them work for what they damn please, I ask no favors of them. If you are in
Washington, for God’s sake, Major, keep Chivington from being a Bri’g. Genl,
which he expects. I will send you the Denver Papers with this. Excuse this for
I have been in much of a hurry.
Very
respectfully,
Your Well-wisher
(signed) Jos. A. Cramer
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Sand
Creek Massacre: profound, symbolic, spiritual, controversial, a site unlike any
other in America.
Plan a Visit to The Sand
Creek Massacre ~ 8 Hours that changed the Great Plains forever
As 675
cavalrymen came around a prairie bend, the camps of Chiefs Black Kettle, White
Antelope, and Left Hand lay in the valley before them. Chaotic, horrific, tumultuous, and
bloody, the events of November 29, 1864 changed the course of history.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The opening
of a national historic site in Colorado helps restore to public memory one of
the worst atrocities ever perpetrated on Native Americans
By Tony Horwitz ~ SMITHSONIAN MAGAZINE
Written December 2014
Jeff Campbell
worked for 20 years as a criminal investigator for the state of New Mexico. He
specialized in cold cases. These days, he applies his sleuthing skills to a
case so cold it’s buried beneath a century and a half of windblown prairie.
“Here’s the
crime scene,” Campbell says, surveying a creek bed and miles of empty
grassland. A lanky, deliberate detective, he cups a corncob pipe to light it in
the flurrying snow before continuing. “The attack began in predawn light, but
sound carries in this environment. So the victims would have heard the hooves pounding
towards them before they could see what was coming.”
Campbell is
reconstructing a mass murder that occurred in 1864, along Sand Creek, an
intermittent stream in eastern Colorado. Today, less than one person per square
mile inhabits this arid region. But in late autumn of 1864, about 1,000
Cheyenne and Arapaho lived in tepees here, at the edge of what was then
reservation land. Their chiefs had recently sought peace in talks with white
officials and believed they would be unmolested at their isolated camp.
When hundreds
of blue-clad cavalrymen suddenly appeared at dawn on November 29, a Cheyenne
chief raised the Stars and Stripes above his lodge. Others in the village waved
white flags. The troops replied by opening fire with carbines and cannon, killing
at least 150 Indians, most of them women, children and the elderly. Before
departing, the troops burned the village and mutilated the dead, carrying off
body parts as trophies.
Col. John
Chivington led the raid. (Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs division)
There were
many such atrocities in the American West. But the slaughter at Sand Creek
stands out because of the impact it had at the time and the way it has been
remembered. Or rather, lost and then rediscovered. Sand Creek was the My Lai of
its day, a war crime exposed by soldiers and condemned by the U.S. government.
It fueled decades of war on the Great Plains. And yet, over time, the massacre
receded from white memory, to the point where even locals were unaware of what
had happened in their own backyard.
That’s now
changed, with the opening of the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site. “We’re the only unit in the National
Park Service that has ‘massacre’ in its name,” says the site’s superintendent,
Alexa Roberts. Usually, she notes, signs for national historic sites lead to a
presidential birthplace or patriotic monument. “So a lot of people are startled
by what they find here.”
Visitors are
also surprised to learn that the massacre occurred during the Civil War, which
most Americans associate with Eastern battles between blue and gray, not
cavalry killing Indians on the Western plains. But the two conflicts were
closely related, says Ari Kelman, a historian at Penn State University and
author of A Misplaced Massacre, a Bancroft Prize-winning book about Sand Creek.
The Civil
War, he observes, was rooted in westward expansion and strife over whether new
territories would join the nation as free states or slave states. Slavery,
however, wasn’t the only obstacle to free white settlement of the West; another
was Plains Indians, many of whom staunchly resisted encroachment on their
lands.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
One is by Col. John
Chivington himself. See the many
links of vital importance on the left.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*The United States presidential election of 1864 was held on Tuesday, November 8, 1864. In this match, incumbent president Republican Abraham Lincoln ran for re-election against Democratic candidate George B. McClellan, who tried to portray himself to the voters as the "peace candidate" who wanted to bring the American Civil War to a speedy end. Lincoln was re-elected president by a landslide in the Electoral College.
