Wynkoop on the Indian War.
Wynkoop on the Indian War.

            From the Missouri Democrat

Wynkoop on the Indian War

    Towards night Colonel Wynkoop was called up before the commission to testify as to the cause of this indian war, which he gave in the following manner:

COLONEL WYNKOOP'S TESTIMONY ABOUT THE SAND CREEK MASSACRE.

    Wynkoop said that Governor Evans blamed him for bringing the indians to Sand creek, but Wynkoop insisted that he should see them, as the Cheyennes were desirous for peace, and he had brought them to Sand creek for that purpose. The massacre took place two days after he had left Fort Lyon, of which he was in command. Directly after the massacre two hundred Sioux indians went on the war path, attacked Mexican trains, killing every one they came across, and since that massacre the indians have been on the war-path.
    (In answer to a question which Henderson asked, Wynkoop said Chivington's reply at the council in Denver was, that his business was to kill indians, and not to make peace with them.)
    After Sand creek the indians were at war everywhere, mostly on the Platte. Property was destroyed, horses were stolen, and emigrants were killed, etc., etc.
    Some annuity goods which Commissioner Goodall bought in New York, three-point blankets, which are used as wrappers, and which were charged in the bill at $13 per pair, were the most worthless things that I ever saw. The indians told me that they would not have taken those goods from anybody but myself. It was a most shameless affair. They were not only killed, but the friendliest were cheated, etc., etc.
    Concerning the disposition of the Sioux, I will state that they were under the impression, previous to the destruction of that Cheyenne village by Hancock, that as the Cheyennes had made peace, they will also. I asked Pawnee-killer, a Sioux chief, and he said the same thing.
    The Mexican killed at Fort Zarah was killed by an indian who was under the influence of liquor. But the indians generally were satisfied with keeping the peace, and, save that murder at Zarah, they had kept it. They had certainly done nothing after the treaty was made in'65, until Hancock made his appearance with his army. There was a report that the Indians had run off stock near Fort Wallace. General Hancock had various statements from his officers of several depredations, but these could not be fixed upon any particular band. I know of but one affair, viz.: a young chief attempted to run off some stage horses, but he did not succeed.

CONCERNING HANCOCK'S EXPEDITION.

    The first I knew of the expedition, I received a communication from him dated Leavenworth, stating that he was coming with a large body of troops. He intended to make peace, but at the same time was prepared for war. He also wished me to accompany him on the expedition. He stated that he was going to make a demand for the parties who committed the depredations on the Smoky Hill, and also for the indian who killed the New Mexican at Zarah. I received another letter, stating that his orders from Sherman were not to make the demands.
    As soon as I received this communication I sent out runners to gather in the chiefs. When Hancock arrived at Larned they had not reached there. But two days after seven arrived. Amongst them were Tall Bull, White Horse and Bull Bear, chiefs of the Dog-band. The night of their arrival a council was held, and General Hancock made a speech. [You have already received and published it.] After him Tall Bull spoke, and said that his tribe were at peace, and he wished to remain so; they hoped he would not go to their village, as he could not have any more to say to them there than where he was. General Hancock answered that he was going to see them at their village on the morrow.
    The next day he started for the village. That night we camped twenty-three miles from the fort. The day after we met a body of indians on the plains. As soon as they saw us they started to run away, but Edward Guerrier made signs with his horse that we were peaceable. So they came back. Hancock told them that he wished to see them at the village that night and talk with them, to which they agreed.
    Roman Nose and his party started back towards their village. The troops took up the line of march for it. Bull Bear remained behind with the column, and he then told me that it would produce no good to march up to the village; that the women and children would be afraid. This I communicated to General Hancock; but he did not agree with that view of it.
    They still marched on, and at last camped within three hundred yards east of the village. About five o'clock, afternoon, Hancock sent interpreters to fetch the chiefs to the council. They returned immediately, and informed Hancock that the women and children had fled. He then sent them back, and ordered them to send the head men to him. Bull Bear and Tall Bull came accordingly. General Hancock appeared very angry, and asked them why they had acted so mean towards him.
    About eleven o'clock that night, Guerrier returned from the camp, and stated that the chiefs had come back from the pursuit of their women.
    Hancock sent for me, and told me when I reached his tent that he had ordered General Custar to surround the camp and retain all that were found in it. He asked me my opinion upon the order. I told him that if there were only ten men found there, when they saw the cavalry they would have a fight. Hancock said it mattered not. The cavalry marched up and surrounded the camp. A little while after that, General Hancock ordered General Custar to pursue the Indians and bring them back. Custar immediately started in pursuit.
    About two in the morning Hancock stated in my presence that he intended to burn the village next morning, as he considered they had acted treacherously towards him, and they deserved punishment. Upon hearing this, I wrote him a letter urging him to do nothing rash, but to ponder well on what he was about to do. Hancock did not burn the village, however, next morning, as he had promised. I also urged General Smith to endeavor to show the general that it would be wrong to burn the village. General Smith did so.
    The night of the tenth a courier came from General Custar, bearing a letter, stating that two men had been killed and burned and Lookout station destroyed, on the Smoky Hill. That same night General Hancock gave orders to General Smith to burn the village next morning.
    The next day as the troops were leaving Pawnee Fork, the order of General Hancock was obeyed. The village was set on fire, and everything in it was burned.
    A courier was dispatched to the commandants of Forts Larned and Dodge, ordering them to prevent the indians from crossing the Arkansas river. Two days after that a party of indians were intercepted at Cimmaron crossing, and ten killed.
    The old indian and young girl who had been in the deserted village, and who had been taken to Fort Dodge by General Hancock, died a few days after the expedition left, at that post.
    In answer to a question by General Sanborn, as to whether he (Wynkoop) had any idea who had committed the outrage upon her, Wynkoop said: "I firmly believe that the soldiers ravished the child. It was the conclusion I arrived when I heard that she was ravished. It is my belief now."
    The Cheyennes I have seen lately gave me to understand that the war this summer was in retaliation for the destruction of their village by General Hancock.

COMMENTS.

    There are several little inaccuracies in Colonel Wynkoop's testimony, as I was with Hancock and know whereof I speak.
    First. War was already declared when Hancock appeared with his army.
    Second. He did not burn the village until the nineteenth, four days after his arrival at Pawnee Fork, and not until he had received positive proofs, that the indians were at war. Nor did he then burn it until he had counselled with his officers.
    Third. The soldiers were not the persons who violated the young girl found at the Cheyenne village.
    The readers of the Democrat cannot have forgotten how graphically and distinctly "Hancock's expedition on the war path" was described by the special correspondent             STANLEY.


Source:

Stanley, Henry Morton, "Wynkoop on the Indian War," Daily Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Co., Tuesday, 29 October, 1867, p. 2, cols. 1-2.


Acknowledgement:

    I'd like to offer a very special thanks to Nancy Spencer, [email protected], of Denver, Colorado for digging this article out for me. Nancy found it for me, plus a host of others, quite a few years ago now. Unfortunately, I managed to mislay them, something that's been happening with increasing frequency lately as more and more material on the Wynkoops, and Ned in particular, comes to light. They somehow managed to surface recently and here they are now for your enjoyment or edification; take your pick.

    Thanks so much Nancy! I'm sorry about the long wait.

    All my best,

    Chris

Created August 29, 2003; Revised September 1, 2003
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