Col. Wynkoop's Letter.
Col. Wynkoop's Letter.

Col. Wynkoop's Letter.

    The President's Message, and a journal of interest to our readers, prevented an earlier notice of this gentleman's letter.--We have always been of opinion, that our Government has no right to expect the Indians to observe treaties, unless we keep them ourselves. At least one half of the Indian murders, barbarities and massacres upon our frontier, are attributable in the first instance to a breach of faith on the part of irresponsible agents. At the time the Indian Battle, now known, as the Chevington Massacre occurred, we denounced it, as wanton, brutal, and in violation of every principle of right; and Col. Wynkoop's letter still confirms our original opinion upon the subject. The hetacomb of victims, murdered and scalped upon our frontier, owe their deaths, to an Indian ferocity and sense of injury, growing out of forfeited promises, on the part of officers, who were not sustained by their commanders.
    We regret our limited space, prevents our republishing an editorial article published in the Missouri Republican of 12th inst. We heartily endorse it, as a true and fair recapitulation of the facts of the case. A few more such honest and upright officers as Col. Wynkoop, and a few more resignations, will preserve peace upon our frontier, and save hundreds, perhaps thousands of valuable lives. Had we the power, we would refuse to accept his resignation, and send him back to the station he has filled so ably, with a rank, that would entitle him to respect, and with a force that under his judicious management would distinguish itself in some other way, than slaughtering squaws, papooses and disarmed Indians. We publish Col. Wynkoop's letter below:

Bad Faith to the Indians

From the Leavenworth Commercial.

    Col. Wynkoop, as a matter of principle, has tendered his resignation as Agent of the Cheyennes and Arapahoes, because of the impossibility of his rendering his charges anything like justice. No man on the border has more experience with the red skins, or has accomplished a tithe that he has done in his intercourse and stipulation with them. While in the service he made a gallant record, and has had his merits recognized since, and we are sorry to lose him in the West. We learn that he returns to his home in Philadelphia. By reference to his resignation, given below, it will be seen that he predicts a repetition of the Sand Creek massacre in the Washita reserve, which has been realized in the late fight and the killing of Black Kettle.

[COPY.]

                                                                 EN ROUTE TO FORT COBB,
                                                                        November 29, 1868.

Hon. N. G. TAYLOR, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Washington, D. C.:

    SIR--During the year 1864, while an officer in the army of the United States, highest in authority in the Indian country in which I served, I, in the supposed fulfilment of my duty as such, congregated some five hundred friendly Cheyenne Indians together, assuring them of the protection of the United States; the consequence of which was they were attacked by a large body of volunteer troops from Colorado, and nearly two hundred of their women, children and old men brutally murdered. The infamous massacre at Sand Creek will not soon be forgotten. The Indians were naturally under the impression that I was responsible for the outrage, but after they fully understood my position, I became, at their request, their agent, and they have renewed the confidence they had in me previous to the Sand Creek murder, trusting me implicitly up to the time of Gen. Hancock's memorable expedition, they then having received assurances from me that Gen. Hancock would not harm them, and seeing me with him, whom I had been induced to accompany under assurances from himself that his mission was a peaceful one. Upon the destruction of their lodges and other property, again they naturally inferred the fault was mine, and some time after, while in the performance of my duty among the Indians, I came near losing my life in consequence, but I again succeeded in regaining their confidence, and am now under orders to proceed to Fort Cobb, on the Washita river, and congregate what Indians I can of my agency at that point or vicinity. Since I have started on my journey thither, I have learned of some five different columns of troops in the the field, whose objective point is the Washita river. The regular troops are under control, commanded by officers who will not allow atrocities committed, but there are also in the field, under sanction of the Government, volunteer troops and Ute and Osage Indians, the deadly enemies of all Plains Indians, and whom nothing will prevent from murdering all of whatever age or sex, wherever found. The point to which that portion are marching who have expressed their determination to kill under all circumstances the Indians of my agency, is the point to which I am directed to congregate them at. They will readily respond to my call; but I most certainly refuse to again be the instrument of the murder of innocent women and children. While I remain an officer of the Government I propose to do my duty--a portion of which is to obey my instructions. All left me under the circumstances, with the present state of feelings I have in this matter, is now to respectfully tender my resignation, and return the commission which I have so far earnestly endeavered {sic} to fulfil the requirements of.
    To the President of the United States, who has entrusted me with the commission I have held; to yourself for the consideration always shown me; to the Superintendent, Col. Murphy, for his invariable kindness, I shall always feel grateful.
    I have the honor to respectfully forward this communication through Col. Thomas Murphy, Superintendent of Indian Affairs, to whom I will turn over what property I am responsible for, and make my appearance at Washington as soon as possible to settle my accounts.
    I have the honor to be, with much respect, your obedient, servant,
    (Signed)                                                                       E. W. WYNKOOP.


Source:

Unknown, "Col. Wynkoop's Letter," Weekly Tribune, Liberty, Clay County, Missouri, Friday, 25 December, 1868, Page 2.

Created February 28, 2006; Revised February 28, 2006
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