Publication: National Park Services
Date of Publication: 2022
PDF File: Multiple-Lines-of-Evidence-Searching-for-the-Sand.pdf
URL: https://www.nps.gov/articles/searching-for-sand-creek.htm
Description
In 1864, the U. S. Army carried out a surprise attack on a village of about 600 Cheyenne and Arapaho Indians camped on the boundary of their reservation along the Big Sandy Creek in present day southeastern Colorado. The unprovoked attack on a non-combatant winter encampment took the lives of about 160 Cheyenne and Arapaho tribal members, two-thirds of whom were women, children, and others elderly or infirmed. Today, Sand Creek is among our nation’s most profound historic places. The events that took place here remain powerful and, to some, sacred symbols of sacrifice and struggle.