In the year 1861, the
Cheyennes and Arapahoes made a treaty with the settlers at Bent's Fort.
Tempting the Indians with vain promises, mystifying them with
presents and deluding them into believing they would be benefited, if
under the rule of the government, which, undoubtedly, they would, had they
submitted to the authority and abided by the laws â€" in this way the
people at Bent's Fort succeeded in getting them to sign away their land
east of the mountains.
The Indians had no more than signed away
their heritage, than they regretted it, and began negotiations with the
other tribes and bands to form a plot to expel the white settlers from the
country. This conspiracy just suited the other tribes, as they were all
bloodthirsty and wanted a chance to go on the warpath. They began to
prepare for an uprising that would last indefinitely, until the white man
or the Indian perished.
The bucks and squaws as well, began to
gather all the necessities of warfare. They would sneak around and rob the
settlers of small articles; sometimes they would hold up the stage
coaches, kill the passengers and take their belongings; other times they
would massacre families and steal their supplies, firearms and ammunition,
until at last they had abundant supplies and large collections of weapons.
In other words, they were prepared for a prolonged contest, and waiting
for the most opportune time to strike the blow.
In 1862 Governor
Evans began to grow suspicious, as he noticed what the Indians were
stealing mostly, and anticipated trouble with them. So in his message to
the legislature, he put these conditions before them:
"That they were
surrounded by a large band of Indians, though seemingly friendly, who
might revolt at any time.
"That in case they did, the settlers were in
nowise able to defend themselves.
"That they could not expect aid from
the general government, as it had sent all of its troops to take part in
the rebellion, while the regiments raised in Colorado had been sent into
New Mexico to head off the Texans from invading through New Mexico up into
Colorado. Therefore, if their anticipations were realized, the only
resource was to raise a regiment of volunteer's right here at home."
Three months later Acting Governor Elbert received reports of Indian
raids along the mail route; horses, provisions and arms were stolen.
In March, 1863, there were extensive depredations throughout the
country, especially near the mouth of the Cache la Poudre (cache the
powder in, so named by some early French trappers, who, upon leaving the
country, buried their powder in the stream). No lives were taken, but vast
amounts of provisions, arms, etc., disappeared.
It can be plainly
seen that during the last two years, the Indian conspirators were carrying
out the obligations of their plot. The people were beginning to realize
that trouble was near at hand.
On one occasion a report went into
Denver that the Indians were advancing and would burn the town. This threw
the people into a panic; they dropped their work and ran in every
direction, leaving their homes to find protection in the stronger built
buildings. Some were too frightened to run, but hid under boxes in the
street. Two soldiers who were not affected by the report, were walking
along and talking about their rifles. One of them said, "Let's see how
yours works; shoot at that box." But the box suddenly rose up and a voice
said, "Don't shoot, I am under here." Looking more closely they saw Billy
Keath peeping out from underneath. It was a false alarm, caused by some
Mexican cattle herders, who were singing while herding on night watch.
Shotridge, a tollgate keeper, who heard them, just supposed that they were
Indians and hurried into Denver with the false alarm.
Owing to the
extreme danger hovering over them, Governor Evans gave orders for all able
bodied men to leave their work every evening at six o'clock and drill.
Henry Teller was put in charge of these men to organize and put them in
order for service. Contemplating an attack at Fort Lupton, Captain Browne,
with a company he had raised, was sent there to protect that post.
To encourage the men to volunteer their services, Governor Evans
issued a proclamation, allowing them to keep what trophies they captured
from the Indians, but since there were some peaceful Indians, they had
strict orders to molest none except the hostile.
The Cheyennes and
Arapahoes were still playing friendly with the officers and soldiers at
Fort Lyons. This was only a blind, as they intended to deceive the
settlers until they could obtain more supplies and ammunition and give
their ponies a chance to fatten and get into better condition. Therefore,
they would go into the fort and beg from the officers and trade with the
soldiers, and impress upon their minds the friendly feeling that existed
between the Indians and the settlers, but on the other hand they were
aiding the other bands in preparing for a general massacre of the
settlers.
Governor Evans saw the need of more troops and began to
appeal to the government for aid. Edwin Stanton, secretary of war, sent
back the following answer: "Fight it out among yourselves; we are too busy
with more weighty affairs to give you any attention or assistance."
Evans then sent letters, asking for help, to all the superior officers
in the military line. Receiving no aid from any direction, he was forced
to fall back on his own resources. Chivington was doing all in his power,
but his forces were too weak and he was unable to protect the outlying
settlements, while Major Downing was just holding his own at Cedar Canon.
Evans at last appealed for troops that could be spared out of New
Mexico, but none could be sent to his aid; so, pushed to desperation, he
asked the secretary of war for permission to raise a hundred day regiment
of volunteers, which was finally granted him.
In September, 1864,
a few Cheyenne Indians were taken before Major Wynkoop, commander of Fort
Lyons. They carried a letter asking for peace, providing that peace be
made to the Kiowas, Comanches, Arapahoes, Apaches, Sioux and the
Cheyennes. After considering the matter and comparing it with the acts of
the Indians, the officers concluded that they were negotiating for peace,
without the intention of making it. They were just using this plan as a
sham to either kill time or throw the white people off their guard, while
the Indians proceeded with their preparations.
Some of the Pioneers of Colorado
Source: True History of some of the Pioneers of Colorado, by Miss
Luella Shaw, Press of Carson Harper Co, Denver, Colorado, 1909 |
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