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.