Indian Council.
Indian Council.

INDIAN COUNCIL.

    From the record of the council with the chiefs of the Arapahoe and Cheyenne tribes--brought up by Major Wynkoop--held yesterday at Camp Weld, we condense the following as its substance. The council was conducted by His Excellency, Gov. Evans, in company with Cols. Chivington and Shoup, Maj. Wynkoop, Captains Robbins and Soule, and a number of other officers and a few citizens.
    Black Kettle, head chief of the Cheyennes, made his proposition for peace in a lengthy and animated speech.
    The Governor stated that the circumstances by which they were present--their warriors being yet in open hostilities to the whites--precluded any treaty at this time. He had warned them in a circular in time to come to their agencies but they had refused and now the matter was in the hands of the military authorities. Having done an immense amount of damage; having murdered our citizens and stolen our property, they now, on the approach of winter when the Indian cannot fight to advantage, desire peace, and in the spring he was fearful that they would begin hostilities again. Having refused his friendly call to them last spring, and joined an alliance for war, he had placed the matter in the hands of the military authorities to chastise them, and now they must submit to those authorities and lay down their arms before any peace can be declared.
    The Indians not only seemed satisfied with this proposition but expressed a willingness to place their tribes on the side of the government and aid in the war upon the hostile tribes of the plains. For any and all such arrangement the Governor referred them to the military authorities.
    Colonel Chivington told them that an unconditional surrender and laying down of their arms was the first step for them to take, after which, such other arrangements as might be deemed proper would be made. He referred the whole matter to Major Wynkoop, in command at Fort Lyon, who was much nearer to their reservation and hunting grounds, and more familiar with their disposition, wants and necessities.
    The Indians in response to a long course of interrogatories by the Governor gave a detailed account of the parties who had been committing depredations during the summer.
    They say also that the Brule and Ogallaliah Sioux of the upper North Platte, and the Yankton and parts of several other bands of Sioux from Minnesota and the upper Missouri, are in large force now on the Republican, near the great forks, and that we may look for a strike by them along the Platte and upon the frontier settlements at any time. They represent the Sioux to be very hostile.
    Every one present seemed to be satisfied with the course taken in this most important and critical interview, and the council broke up with the belief that these chiefs will use their utmost influence to induce their tribes to lay down their arms, a consummation devoutly to be wished for.
    The chiefs will return with Major Wynkoop to Fort Lyon and thence to their tribes. The Major expects to find the other three white prisoners held by them at the post upon his return. Mrs. Snyder, who was taken near Boonville, on the Arkansas, at the time her husband was killed, has since committed suicide.


Source:

Unknown, "Indian Council," Rocky Mountain News, Denver, Colorado, Thursday, 29 September, 1864, Page 1.

Created November 22, 2005; Revised November 22, 2005
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