The Sand Creek Massacre
First Proclamation issued by Governor John Evans, June 27, 1864



On June 27, 1864, Colorado Territorial Governor John Evans issued a proclamation: To The Friendly Indians of the Plains, hoping to separate non-combatant Plains Indians tribes from the warrior clans that had declared war on Colorado settlers. Given time and proper communication between the Administrative and Military branches of the government, Evans’ plan might have been successful. Unfortunately, military leaders, who were preoccupied with the Civil War, had paid little attention to the growing problems brewing between the Indians and settlers in Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado.


Union soldiers on the plains were left on their own to make decisions, and Colonel John M. Chivington was given specific orders to ignore district lines to pursue and kill the warriors guilty of murdering soldiers and civilians, and taking white women and children hostages. Chivington, in turn, had ordered all fort commanders to keep the Indians away from their respective military outposts, authorizing a shoot first, ask questions later policy. The commanders were given no order to attempt to differentiate friendly Indians from the warriors. Because Evans had no authority over the military, his proclamation ran in direct conflict with military policy, and many Cheyennes and Arapahos that received the Governor’s orders were fired upon when they attempted to surrender.



COLORADO SUPERINTENDENCY INDIAN AFFAIRS,


Denver, June 27, 1864.


TO THE FRIENDLY INDIANS OF THE PLAINS:


Agents, interpreters, and traders will inform the friendly Indians of the plains that some members of their tribes have gone to war with the white people. They steal stock and run it off, hoping to escape detection and punishment. In some instances they have attacked and killed soldiers and murdered peaceable citizens. For this the Great Father is angry, and will certainly hunt them out and punish them, but he does not want to injure those who remain friendly to the whites. He desires to protect and take care of them. For this purpose I direct that all friendly Indians keep away from those who are at war, and go to places of safety. Friendly Arapahoes and Cheyennes belonging on the Arkansas River will go to Major Colley, U. S. Indian agent at Fort Lyon, who will give them provisions, and show them a place of safety. Friendly Kiowas and Comanches will go to Fort Larned, where they will be cared for in the same way. Friendly Sioux will go to their agent at Fort Laramie for directions. Friendly Arapahoes and Cheyennes of the Upper Platte will go to Camp Collins on the Cache la Poudre, where they will be assigned a place of safety and provisions will be given them.


The object of this is to prevent friendly Indians from being killed through mistake. None but those who intend to be friendly with the whites must come to these places. The families of those who have gone to war with the whites must be kept away from among the friendly Indians. The war on hostile Indians will be continued until they are all effectually subdued.


JOHN EVANS,

Governor of Colorado and Superintendent of Indian Affairs.




“War of the Rebellion” - United States War Dept. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Four series, 128 volumes. Series I - Volume XLI - Part I. Washington: Government Printing Office. 1880-1901. pp. 963-964







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