History Daily: The Sand Creek Massacre
Release Date: November 29, 2024
Host: Lindsey Graham
Produced by Airship, Noiser, and Wondery
Introduction
In this poignant episode of History Daily, host Lindsey Graham delves into the harrowing events of the Sand Creek Massacre, a tragic episode in American history that unfolded on November 29, 1864. Graham meticulously recounts the circumstances leading up to the massacre, the key figures involved, the brutal execution of the attack, and its lasting legacy on Native American and American history.
Background and Rising Tensions
The narrative begins in February 1861, nearly four years before the Sand Creek Massacre, when six Cheyenne and Arapaho chiefs, including Black Kettle and White Antelope, approached the U.S. Army outpost at Fort Wise, Colorado. These leaders sought to negotiate peaceful coexistence despite escalating tensions due to westward expansion and broken treaties.
Notable Quote:
"Black Kettle can sense his fellow delegates stiffen at the sight of soldiers’ guns. He understands their apprehension. This could easily be an ambush." [00:16]
The discovery of gold in Colorado in 1859 ignited the Colorado Gold Rush, leading to an influx of settlers onto indigenous lands and the eventual betrayal of the Treaty of Fort Laramie (1851). Initially promising peace by allocating reservations, the U.S. government reneged on its commitments to seize more Native American land for mining interests.
Notable Quote:
"In those early days, the US Government agreed to cooperate with the natives. And for years, relations between white settlers and the tribes of the western plains were mostly good and trade flourished." [06:45]
Key Figures: Black Kettle and John Chivington
Black Kettle, a compassionate leader, tirelessly pursued peace despite internal dissent among his people. His efforts culminated in the Sand Creek encampment, which he hoped would remain safe under U.S. protection.
Colonel John Chivington, on the other hand, epitomized aggression and ambition. A former Methodist preacher turned Union soldier, Chivington sought military glory and resented what he perceived as continued Native American resistance.
Notable Quote:
"Formerly a Methodist preacher known for fiery sermons, Chivington joined the Union army when the Civil War broke out in 1861, not as a chaplain, but as a soldier." [11:40]
Chivington's frustration with his lackluster military reputation and his disdain for peaceful negotiations set the stage for the impending atrocity.
The Massacre at Sand Creek
On the morning of November 29, 1864, approximately 700 U.S. Army soldiers under Colonel Chivington attacked the Sand Creek village, primarily inhabited by women and children. Despite Chief Black Kettle's attempts to secure protection and peace, the soldiers launched a frenzied and indiscriminate assault.
Notable Quote:
"Sand Creek is home mainly to women and children, and the soldiers dragged those innocents from their teepees and butchered them like animals." [02:37]
The massacre resulted in the deaths of an estimated 150 Native Americans from the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes. Survivors, including the young woman Moki, faced unimaginable loss and trauma, fueling a desire for vengeance.
Notable Quote:
"One witness will say, I saw the bodies of those lying there worse mutilated than any I ever saw. The women were cut all to pieces with knives, scalped, their brains knocked out. Children two or three months old, all ages lying there, from sucking infants up to warriors." [15:20]
Aftermath and Legacy
The Sand Creek Massacre was publicly condemned by President Abraham Lincoln, who stripped Chivington and his men of their military ranks. However, the punishment was insufficient to quell the resulting fury among Native American tribes. The atrocity ignited decades of conflict and fostered deep-seated animosity, ultimately uniting various tribes in their resistance against U.S. expansion.
Notable Quote:
"After decades of doing what the white man has told them, the Native Americans of the Great Plains decide that enough is enough and blood will be spilt." [03:00]
In 2000, Congress designated Sand Creek as a National Historic Site, acknowledging its significance and ensuring that the lessons of this tragedy remain remembered.
Conclusion
The Sand Creek Massacre stands as a stark reminder of the brutal consequences of broken treaties and unchecked aggression. While officially condemned, the echoes of this massacre influenced generations, shaping the course of Native American and American history. Lindsey Graham underscores the importance of remembrance and recognition in honoring the victims and understanding the profound impact of such historical events.
Notable Quote:
"Though nothing else can undo the tragedy of Sand Creek, the fallen innocents can be honored by remembering what took place on November 29, 1864." [19:52]
Upcoming Episode
Next on History Daily, Graham explores the tumultuous reign of Puyi, the last Emperor of China, who ascended to the throne at just two years old on December 2, 1908, and abdicated multiple times throughout his life.
Credits:
Hosted, edited, and executive produced by Lindsey Graham. Audio editing by Molly Bach. Music and sound design by Lindsey Graham. Episode written and researched by Joseph Joe Viner. Executive Producers: Stephen Walters (Airship) and Pascal Hughes (Noiser).