The Horrors of the American Civil War, The Sand Creek Massacre and the War on the American Indians

Summary

The transcript discusses the brutal events of the Sand Creek Massacre in 1864, where Major John M. Shivington, a former Methodist minister, led a violent attack on a peaceful Cheyenne camp under Chief Black Kettle. Despite assurances of peace and the display of American and white flags, Shivington's men slaughtered 133 Native Americans, mostly women, children, and elders. The massacre ended Shivington's military and political career, leading to widespread public outrage. The narrative explores the darker aspects of America's westward expansion during the Civil War era.

Takeaways

• ⚔️ The Sand Creek Massacre occurred in 1864, led by Major John M. Shivington, a Union commander from Colorado.
• 🏆 Shivington played a key role in the Union victory at Glorieta Pass, New Mexico in 1862, but the Sand Creek Massacre tarnished his military career.
• 📜 Shivington, a former Methodist minister, left his pulpit to join the Civil War, adopting the role of a military leader.
• 🗡️ Under orders from Colorado Governor John Evans, Shivington's mission was to kill Native Americans, resulting in brutal actions at Sand Creek.
• 🦅 The Cheyenne, led by Chief Black Kettle, believed they had surrendered and were camping peacefully under the protection of Fort Lyon's jurisdiction.
• ⚖️ Despite raising an American flag and a white flag of peace, Black Kettle's group was attacked, with many of the victims being women, children, and elderly men.
• 💔 Shivington's forces slaughtered 133 Cheyenne, while only 9 attackers were killed, mostly due to friendly fire.
• 🚩 The massacre caused widespread public outrage and ended Shivington's political aspirations.
• ⛓️ The horrific mutilations of the dead further fueled revulsion against Shivington and the massacre's brutality.
• 📚 Black Kettle escaped the massacre, only to be killed four years later by Custer's 7th Cavalry at Washita Creek.

Q & A

Who was John M. Shivington, and what role did he play in the American Civil War?

John M. Shivington was a Major in the Union Army during the American Civil War and played a significant role in the Union victory at the Battle of Glorieta Pass in New Mexico in 1862.

What was the Sand Creek Massacre, and when did it occur?

The Sand Creek Massacre was a brutal attack by John M. Shivington's forces on a peaceful Cheyenne camp at Sand Creek, Colorado, on November 29, 1864, resulting in the deaths of 133 Native Americans, most of whom were women, children, and elderly.

What was Shivington's background before becoming a military figure?

Shivington was originally a Methodist minister who left his pulpit at the beginning of the Civil War, believing that his calling was to fight for the Union. He was often referred to as Colorado's 'fighting Parson.'

What was the relationship between Shivington and Colorado's territorial governor, John Evans?

Shivington was a protégé of Colorado territorial governor John Evans, who supported white control over the territory. Evans envisioned himself as a future U.S. Senator, and Shivington shared similar political ambitions.

How did John Evans and John M. Shivington view Native Americans, and how did that affect their policies?

John Evans and John M. Shivington saw Native Americans as obstacles to white control of Colorado. Evans ordered Shivington to quell the uprising of Native tribes, giving him chilling orders to 'kill all the Indians' he encountered.

How did Major Scott Anthony contribute to the Sand Creek Massacre?

Major Scott Anthony replaced the comparatively more peaceful commander Major Edward Wynkoop and secretly called on Shivington for reinforcements, setting the stage for the attack on Black Kettle's camp at Sand Creek.

What actions did Chief Black Kettle take in an attempt to avoid conflict during the Sand Creek Massacre?

Chief Black Kettle raised an American flag, which he had been given as a token of friendship by the U.S. government, and later a white flag of surrender to show peaceful intentions. Despite these gestures, Shivington’s men attacked.

How did the massacre at Sand Creek affect Shivington's political ambitions?

The massacre at Sand Creek ended Shivington’s military career and ruined his political prospects. Widespread public revulsion at the brutality of the massacre and the mutilation of Native corpses damaged his reputation.

How did public opinion respond to the Sand Creek Massacre?

Public opinion was outraged by the Sand Creek Massacre, with a subsequent inquiry calling Shivington’s actions a 'gross and wanton outrage,' severely tarnishing his image and ending his political career.

What was the fate of Chief Black Kettle after the Sand Creek Massacre?

Chief Black Kettle miraculously survived the Sand Creek Massacre but was killed four years later during an attack by Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer’s 7th Cavalry at Washita Creek in Western Oklahoma.