Births on January 27

John Chivington, American colonel and pastor (d. 1892)

John Milton Chivington: The Architect of the Sand Creek Massacre

John Milton Chivington (January 27, 1821 – October 4, 1894) is a figure indelibly marked by history, primarily recognized as the architect of the devastating Sand Creek Massacre. This horrific event, which occurred in November 1864, is widely regarded as a state-sponsored act of genocide, resulting in the brutal murder of over 230 peaceful Cheyenne and Arapaho individuals. The tragic toll included a disproportionate number of vulnerable victims: more than 150 women, children, and elderly.

Before achieving this infamy, Chivington led a multifaceted life. He served as an American Methodist pastor, reflecting a prominent religious background often intertwined with the frontier expansion of the era. He was also a distinguished member of the Freemasons, rising to become the first Grand Master of Masons of Colorado on August 2, 1861, a position of significant influence within the fraternity. His military career saw him serve as a colonel in the United States Volunteers during the pivotal New Mexico Campaign of the American Civil War. He garnered initial acclaim for his strategic acumen, particularly for leading a crucial rear-guard action against a Confederate supply train during the Battle of Glorieta Pass in March 1862. This success, instrumental in securing New Mexico for the Union, solidified his military reputation and led to his subsequent appointment as a colonel of cavalry during the escalating Colorado War.

The Horrific Act: The Sand Creek Massacre

The Colorado War, a conflict that escalated significantly due to the Pikes Peak Gold Rush bringing thousands of settlers onto ancestral Native American lands, created a volatile environment. Within this context, Chivington’s command, a formidable 700-man force composed primarily of Colorado Territory militia, played a central and tragic role. On November 29, 1864, despite previous assurances of peace and the display of American flags and white surrender flags by the encampment, Chivington ordered an unprovoked attack on a peaceful village of Cheyenne and Arapaho people near Fort Lyon at Sand Creek. The victims, estimated at around 230 individuals, included approximately two-thirds women, children, and infants, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the assault. The attack was not merely a battle; it was a brutal massacre where Chivington’s troops engaged in widespread killing and shocking mutilation.

Historical accounts confirm the extreme barbarity committed by Chivington and his soldiers. They took scalps and other body parts – including human fetuses and male and female genitalia – as "battle trophies." This level of cruelty underscored the profound racial animosity and often genocidal intent prevalent among some elements of the frontier military and settler population during this period. The Sand Creek Massacre stands as a harrowing example of state-sponsored violence against Native Americans and remains a dark and painful chapter in United States history.

Aftermath and Lingering Questions of Accountability

The sheer brutality of the Sand Creek Massacre provoked widespread outrage and triggered multiple federal inquiries. The most prominent investigation was conducted by the Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War, alongside a military commission and a Congressional investigation. These bodies thoroughly examined the events, and their findings unequivocally condemned Chivington's and his soldiers' conduct in the strongest possible terms, notably labeling the attack a "foul and dastardly massacre."

Despite the damning evidence and overwhelming condemnation, remarkably, no criminal charges were ever brought against Chivington or his men. This significant absence of legal accountability reflected the complex political climate of the time, the difficulties of prosecuting military personnel for wartime atrocities, and a prevailing sentiment among some that justified actions against Native Americans. The closest discernible consequence for Chivington was the effective termination of his political aspirations; attempts to run for Congress after the massacre were unsuccessful, and his public standing was severely damaged. He spent his later years defending his actions, often with little public support.

Masonic Ties and Internal Controversy

Chivington’s deep involvement with the Freemasons adds another layer to his controversial legacy. As the first Grand Master of Masons of Colorado, he held a position of considerable moral and organizational authority within the fraternity. Following the Sand Creek Massacre, his actions sparked significant debate and division within the Masonic community itself. While some Freemasons, including certain individuals who may have been present at Sand Creek, publicly supported him, others vehemently objected to his conduct and openly denounced it, highlighting a profound moral schism within their ranks.

Officially, the Masons in Colorado initially suspended Chivington's membership, pending the findings of the various governmental reports. However, after the congressional report was released – which, despite its condemnation, did not lead to criminal prosecution – his Masonic membership was reinstated. This decision has remained a point of historical discussion and controversy regarding the fraternity's internal moral judgments and disciplinary processes in the face of such egregious acts.

Legacy of Infamy

John Milton Chivington's name is inextricably linked to the Sand Creek Massacre, an event that profoundly symbolizes the darker aspects of American expansion, the systematic violence against indigenous populations, and the failures of justice. His story serves as a stark reminder of how individuals can transition from celebrated military figures to symbols of infamy, and how the pursuit of accountability for atrocities can be obstructed by systemic factors. The massacre remains a crucial historical lesson on military conduct, human rights, and the enduring and devastating impact of violence on Native American communities.

Frequently Asked Questions About John Milton Chivington and the Sand Creek Massacre

Who was John Milton Chivington?

John Milton Chivington (1821–1894) was an American Methodist pastor, a prominent Freemason, and a colonel in the United States Volunteers during the American Civil War and the Colorado War. He is primarily known for his role as the leader of the forces responsible for the Sand Creek Massacre.

What was the Sand Creek Massacre?

The Sand Creek Massacre was a horrific attack on November 29, 1864, by 700 U.S. volunteer soldiers under Colonel John Chivington's command on a peaceful encampment of Cheyenne and Arapaho people in southeastern Colorado Territory. Despite flying American and white flags of truce, approximately 230 Native Americans, predominantly women, children, and the elderly, were murdered and mutilated.

Why is the Sand Creek Massacre considered an act of genocide?

The massacre is often described as a state-sponsored act of genocide due to its unprovoked nature, the deliberate targeting and killing of non-combatants (women, children, infants), the extreme brutality and mutilation, and the broader context of governmental policies aimed at displacing and eliminating Native American populations to facilitate westward expansion.

Were there any consequences for Chivington or his soldiers?

While multiple federal investigations, including by the Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War, condemned Chivington's actions in the strongest possible terms, no criminal charges were ever brought against him or his men. The primary consequence Chivington faced was the end of his political aspirations and severe damage to his public reputation.

What was Chivington's involvement with the Freemasons?

John Milton Chivington was a prominent Freemason and the first Grand Master of Masons of Colorado. Following the Sand Creek Massacre, his actions caused significant controversy within the fraternity, leading to a temporary suspension of his membership. However, his membership was later reinstated after the congressional report, which did not result in criminal prosecution.