Thanks to Greg Michno for his consistently flawless histories.
About the Sand Creek Military Hearings in Denver that followed,
Chivington’s first two requests during his testimony were first
that Samuel F. Tappan recuse himself from presiding due to
obvious bias. When Tappan refused, Chivington then asked the
committee to open the hearings to the press and public. Tappan
again refused, securing for himself unfettered revenge on
Chivington for Tappan’s humiliation at Glorieta. (by petition of a
majority of junior officers of the First Colorado Volunteer Infantry
after Glorieta, then-Major Chivington was chosen over Lt. Col.
Tappan to become Colonel in command. Tappan, a former
newspaper reporter and acquaintance of Gen. Sherman, seemed
to acquiese and bided his time for revenge. I like to think of
Tappan the historical charachter as “Press Trash with-a-grudge”)

By Curt Neeley on Oct 23, 2008 at 11:06 pm

IDK know mudh about it but it seems to me the americans were being pretty unfair!!

By Anne Barington on Apr 23, 2009 at 4:09 pm

Where did you get your info. saying he was {wynkoop} a vilian is the most stupid thing I have ever heard about sandcreek, also john smith was a trader who’s son was murdered by chivingtons men for being a half breed. I would like to know where you got your info or did you write it down read it, and then used it

By Brad Long on Aug 16, 2009 at 12:57 am

Much is made of Samuel F. Tappan’s diary. Was the diary ever published. If so, how could one see it?
Thanks,
Tom

By Tom Stohlgren on Aug 23, 2009 at 1:43 pm

re Tom Stohlgren’ question, Sam Tappan’s writings are said to be available through Kansas State Historical Society. Also, look up Kevin Cahill or KClonewolf on the internet. I think he has posted an extensive Sand Creek bibliography.

As for Michno’s credibility, he is the most thorough about his sourcing of any I’ve read and has an encyclopedic memory that has helped him connect many Sand Creek dots. Also, I like Irving Howbert’s first-hand description of the Sand Creek fight in his MEMORIES OF A LIFETIME IN THE PIKES PEAK REGION, available at history.oldcolo.com book store. And a recently discovered description by John Coplen adds to Howbert’s version.

However, the Massacre version will probably always prevail because too many careers and paychecks depend on it, plus it’s probably the most popular Fairy Tale ever concocted. I’d think the Cheyenne activists would eventually be embarassed by the hype.

Also, Michno’s BATTLE AT SAND CREEK, The Military Perspective is an excellent read on the subject, as well as his ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THE INDIAN WARS and his and Susan’s
A FATE WORSE THAN DEATH about women and childrens miseries while captive of the Plains tribes during that era.

By Curt Neeley on Aug 27, 2009 at 12:31 am