Historical Figures

Who were the major players in sand creek massacre?

The Sand Creek Massacre was a massacre of Cheyenne and Arapaho people by the U.S. Army in the Colorado Territory on November 29, 1864. The massacre was ordered by Colonel John Chivington, commander of the Colorado Column, and carried out by his troops under the command of Major Edward Wynkoop. The massacre resulted in the deaths of between 105 and 150 Native Americans, mostly women and children.

The major players in the Sand Creek Massacre were:

* Colonel John Chivington: Chivington was a Methodist minister and former Confederate soldier who was appointed commander of the Colorado Column in 1864. He was a strong advocate for the extermination of Native Americans and believed that the only good Indian was a dead Indian.

* Major Edward Wynkoop: Wynkoop was a regular army officer who served under Chivington in the Colorado Column. He was opposed to the massacre and tried to prevent it, but was unsuccessful.

* Black Kettle: Black Kettle was a Southern Cheyenne chief who was a peace advocate and tried to avoid conflict with the U.S. Army. He and his band were camped at Sand Creek under a U.S. flag when they were attacked.

* White Antelope: White Antelope was a Northern Arapaho chief who was also a peace advocate. He was killed in the massacre along with many of his people.

The Sand Creek Massacre was a tragic event that resulted in the deaths of innocent people and further inflamed tensions between the U.S. government and Native Americans. It is considered one of the darkest chapters in American history.