This testimony was given by James Cannon, a lieutenant in the New Mexico Volunteers, who was called before the military commission investigating the massacre of Cheyenne Indians at Sand Creek, Colorado, in 1864. This excerpt focuses primary on the events that occurred along Sand Creek. Although this commission was not a criminal trial, the format of taking witness's testimony was similar?Colonel Chivington, commander of the 1st Colorado, was allowed to cross-examine the witnesses called by the commission. The testimony is part of a larger report containing evidence obtained at this hearing, titled Report of the Secretary of War, Communicating, In compliance with a resolution of the Senate of February 4, 1867, a copy of the evidence taken at Denver and Fort Lyon, Colorado Territory, by a military commission, ordered to inquire into the Sand Creek massacre, November, 1864.
Date: March 27, 1865-March 29, 1865
Creator: United States. Congress. Senate
This brief testimony provides a first-hand account of the massacre. Students could use this source to discuss how to interpret primary sources that may have a bias. It works with other testimonies and documents relating to the commission, including those of Major Wynkoop and Colonel Chivington.
KS:7th:3.1:Federal government and Indian lands (2005)
Item Number: 211652
Call Number: GL 328.7304 Un3, U.S. Congressional Serial Set, 1277
KSHS Identifier: DaRT ID: 211652
Collections - Library
Curriculum - 7th Grade Standards - Kansas History Standards - 1860s to 1870s (Benchmark 3) - Fed. Gov. and Indian lands (Indicator 1) - Cheyenne
Curriculum - 7th Grade Standards - Kansas History Standards - 1860s to 1870s (Benchmark 3) - Fed. Gov. and Indian lands (Indicator 1) - Military presence on the Plains
Curriculum - 7th Grade Standards - Kansas History Standards - 1860s to 1870s (Benchmark 3) - Fed. Gov. and Indian lands (Indicator 1) - Sand Creek Massacre
Date - 1861-1869 - 1865
Military - Service - Army
Military - Wars - Indian Wars
Objects and Artifacts - Communication Artifacts - Documentary Artifact - Government record - Report
People - American Indians - Tribes - Cheyenne
Places - Other States - Colorado
Type of Material - Printed materials - Government publications - Reports
http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/211652
