Natives versus Army: the Sand Creek Massacre, November 29, 1864
As with the incident at Camp Grant, this tragedy follows a similar part, Natives counting on the protection of White authorities becoming victims in a perfect storm of greed, hatred and prejudice. The Cheyenne and Arapaho both claimed Colorado as part of their traditional home and hunting range. Per the terms of the Treaty of Fort Laramie, both tribes had given up substantial land in exchange for a reduced range between the North Platte and Arkansas River, the Rocky Mountains to western Kansas. This area encompassed southeastern Wyoming, southwestern Nebraska, all of eastern Colorado and portions of western Kansas. Then in 1858, gold was discovered in the Rocky Mountains and prospectors flocked to the region to take part in the Pikes Peak Gold Rush. Soon ranchers, farmers and townspeople followed, all trying to cash in on the fortune. Colorado territorial officials demanded that the federal government reassess Native presence in the re...