Page:A Century of Dishonor.pdf/369

Rh The following testimony is that of Lieutenant Craven, Senate Document, vol. ii., 1866-67, p. 46:

“I had some conversation with Major Downing, Lieutenant Maynard, and Colonel Chivington. I stated to them my feelings in regard to the matter—that I believed it to be murder—and stated the obligations that we of Major Wynkoop’s command were under to those Indians.

“To Colonel Chivington I know I stated that Major Wynkoop had pledged his word as an officer and man to those Indians, and that all officers under him were indirectly pledged in the same manner that he was, and that I felt that it was placing us in very embarrassing circumstances to fight the same Indians that had saved our lives, as we all felt that they had.

“Colonel Chivington’s reply was that he believed it to be right and honorable to use any means under God's heaven to kill Indians that would kill women and children; and, ‘damn any one that was in sympathy with Indians;’ and, ‘such men as Major Wynkoop and myself had better get out of the United States service.

This conversation was testified to by other witnesses. Major Wynkoop, it will be remembered, was the officer in command at Fort Lyon when this band of Cheyennes and Arapahoes came in there to claim protection, in consequence of the governor's proclamation, saying that,

“All friendly Arapahoes and Cheyennes, belonging on the Arkansas River, will go to Major Colby, United States Indian Agent at Fort Lyon, who will give them provisions and show them a place of safety.”

Major Wynkoop was suceeeded in the command of Fort Lyon by Major Anthony, who continued for a time to issue rations to these Inclians, as Major Wynkoop had done; but after a time he called them together and told them he could not feed them any longer; they would better go where they could hunt. He selected the place to which they were to move on Sandy Creek. They obeyed, and he gave back to them some of the arms which had been taken away. They were moved to Sandy Creek, about forty miles from Fort Lyon, partly “for fear of some conflict between them and the soldiers or emigrants,” Fort Lyon being on a thoroughfare of travel. One of the chiefs—One Eye—was hired by Major Anthony at $125 a month “to obtain information for the use of the military authorities. Several times he brought news to the fort of proposed movements of hostile Indians.” This chief was killed in the massacre.