These letters are historical documents reprinted without editing. They
are graphic in nature. The first letter is from Lt. Joseph Cramer to Maj. Ed
Wynkoop, his commanding officer. The second letter is also to Wynkoop from Capt.
Silas Soule. They were written within three weeks of the Sand Creek Massacre,
which both Cramer and Soule witnessed.
Ft. Lyon, C.T.
December 19, 1864
Dear Major:
This is the first opportunity I have had of writing you since the great
Indian Massacre, and for a start, I will acknowledge I am ashamed to own I was
in it with my Co. Col. Chivington came down here with the gallant third, known
as Chivington Brigade, like a thief in the dark throwing his Scouts around the
Post, with instructions to let no one out, without his orders, not even the
Commander of the Post, and for the shame, our Commanding Officer submitted. Col.
Chivington expected to find the Indians in camp below the Com—-but the Major
Comd'g told him all about where the Indians were, and volunteered to take a
Battalion from the Post and Join the Expedition.
Well Col. Chiv. got in about 10 a.m. Nov. 28th and at 8 p.m. we started
with all of the 3rd parts of "H" "O" and "E" of
the First, in command of Lt. Wilson Co. "K" "D" and
"G" in commanding of Major Anthony. Marched all night up Sand, to the
big bend in Sanday, about 15 or 20 miles, above where we crossed on our trip to
Smoky Hill and came on to Black Kettles village of 103 lodges, containing not
over 500 all told, 350 of which were women and children. Three days previous to
our going out, Major Anthony gave John Smith, Lowderbuck of Co. "G"
and a government driver, permission to go out there and trade with them, and
they were in the village when the fight came off. John Smith came out holding up
his hands and running towards us, when he was shot at by several, and the word
was passed along to shoot him. He then turned back, and went to his tent and got
behind some Robes, and escaped unhurt. Lowderbuck came out with a white flag,
and was served the same as John Smith, the driver the same. Well I got so mad I
swore I would not burn powder, and I did not. Capt. Soule the same. It is no use
for me to try to tell you how the fight was managed, only I think the Officer in
command should be hung, and I know when the truth is known it will cashier him.
We lost 40 men wounded, and 10 killed. Not over 250 Indians mostly women
and children, and I think not over 200 were killed, and not over 75 bucks. With
proper management they could all have been killed and not lost over 10 men.
After the fight there was a sight I hope I may never see again.
Bucks, women and children, were scalped, fingers cut off to get the rings
on them, and this as much with Officers as men, and one of those officers a
Major: and a Lt. Col. cut off Ears, of all he came across, a squaw ripped open
and a child taken from her, little children shot, while begging for their lives
(and all the indignities shown their bodies that ever was heard of) (women shot
while on their knees, with their arms around soldiers a begging for their
lives.) things that Indians would be ashamed to do. To give you some little
idea, squaws were known to kill their own children, and then themselves, rather
than to have them taken prisoners. Most of the Indians yielded 4 or 5 scalps.
But enough! for I know you are disgusted already. Black Kettle, White Antelope,
War Bonnet, Left Hand, Little Robe and several other chiefs were killed. Black
Kettle said when he saw us coming, that he was glad, for it was Major Wynkoop
coming to make peace. Left Hand stood with his hands folded across his breast,
until he was shot saying, "Soldiers no hurt me — soldiers my
friends." One Eye was killed: was in the employ of Gov't as spy: came into
the Post a few days before, and reported about the Sioux, were going to break
out at Learned, which proved true.
After all the pledges made my Major A - to these Indians and then to take
the course he did. I think as comments are necessary from me; only I will say he
has a face for every man he talks. The action taken by Capt. Soule and myself
were under protest. Col. A— was going to have Soule hung for saying there were
all cowardly Sons of B—s; if Souls did not take it back, but nary take back
with Soule. I told the Col. that I thought it murder to jump them friendly
Indians. He says in reply; Damn any man or men who are in sympathy with them.
Such men as you and Major Wynkoop better leave the U.S. Service, so you can
judge what a nice time we had on the trip. I expect Col. C— and Downing will
do all in their power to have Soule, Cossitt and I dismissed. Well, let them
work for what they damn please, I ask no favors of them. If you are in
Washington, for God's sake, Major, keep Chivington from being a Bri'g Genl.
which he expects. I will send you the Denver Papers with this. Excuse this for I
have been in much of a hurry.
Very
respectuflly,
Your Well-Wisher
(signed) Joe A. Cramer
John Smith was taken prisoner and then murdered. One little child 3
months old was thrown in the feed box of a wagon and brought one days march, and
there left on the ground to perish. Col. Tappan is after them for all that is
out. I am making out a report of all from the beginning to end, to send to Gen'l
Slough, in hopes that he will have the thing investigated, and if you should see
him, please speak to him about it, for fear that he has forgotten me. I shall
write him nothing but what can be proven.
Major I am ashamed of this. I have it gloriously mixed up, but am in
hopes I can explain it all to you before long. I would have given my right arm
had you been here, when they arrived. Your family are all well.
(signed) Joe A. Cramer
Ft. Lyon, C.T.
December 14, 1864
Dear Ned:
Two days after you left here the 3d Reg't with a Battalion of the 1st
arrived here, having moved so secretly that we were not aware of their approach
of until they had Pickets around the Post, allowing no one to pass out! They
arrested Capt. Bent and John Vogle, and placed guards around their houses. They
then declared their intention to massacre the friendly Indians camped on Sand
Creek. Major Anthony gave all information, and eagerly Joined in with Chivington
& Co, and ordered Lieut. Cramer, with his whole Co to Join the command. As
soon as I knew of their movement I was indignant as you would have been were you
here, and went to Cannon's room, where a number of officers of the 1st and 3d
were congregated and told them that any man who would take part in the murders,
knowing the circumstances as we did, was a low lived cowardly son of a bitch.
Capt. Y.J. Johnson and Lieut Harding went to camp and reported to Chiv, Downing,
and the whole outfit what I had said, and you bet hell was to pay in camp. Chiv
and all hands swore they would hang me before they moved camp, but I stuck it
out, and all the officers at the Post, except Anthony backed me. I was then
ordered with my whole company to Major A— with 20 days rations. I told him
that I would not take part in their intended murder, but if they were going
after the Sioux, Kiowa's or any fighting Indians, I would go as far as any of
them. They said that was what they were going for, and I Joined them. We arrived
at Black Kettles and Left Hand's Camp at day light. Lieut Wilson with Co's
"C", "E" & "G" were ordered in advance to cut
off their herd. He made a circle to the rear and formed line 200 yds from the
village, and opened fire. Poor Old John Smith and Louderbeck ran out with white
flags but they paid no attention to them, and they ran back into the tents.
Anthony then (indecipherable word) with Co's "D" "K" &
"G", to within one hundred yards and commenced firing. I refused to
fire and swore that none but a coward would. for by this time hundreds of women
and children were coming towards us and getting on their knees for mercy.
Anthony shouted, "Kill the sons of bitches" Smith and Louderbeck came
to our command, although I am confident there were 200 shots fired at them, for
I heard an officer say that Old Smith and any one who sympathized with the
Indians, ought to be killed and now was a good time to do it. The Battery then
came up in our rear, and opened on them. I took my Comp'y across the Creek, and
by this time the whole of the 3d and the Batteries were firing into them and you
can form some idea of the slaughter. When the Indians found that there was no
hope for them they went for the Creek, and buried themselves in the Sand and got
under the banks and some of the bucks got their Bows and a few rifles and
defended themselves as well as they could. By this time there was no
organization among our troops, they were a perfect mob - every man on his own
hook. My Co. was the only one that kept their formation, and we did not fire a
shot.
The massacre lasted six or eight hours, and a good many Indians escaped.
I tell you Ned it was hard to see little children on their knees have their
brains beat out by men professing to be civilized. One squaw was wounded and a
fellow took a hatchet to finish her, she held her arms up to defend her, and he
cut one arm off, and held the other with one hand and dashed the hatchet through
her brain. One Squaw with her two children, were on their knees, begging for
their lives of a dozen soldiers, within ten feet of them all firing - when one
succeeded in hitting the squaw in the thigh, when she took a knife and cut the
throats of both children, and then killed herself. One old Squaw hung herelf in
the lodge — there was not enough room for her to hang and she held up her
knees and choked herself to death. Some tried to escape on the Prairie, but most
of them were run down by horsemen. I saw two Indians hold one of anothers hands,
chased until they were exhausted, when they kneeled down, and clasped each other
around the neck and were both shot together. They were all scalped, and as high
as half a dozen taken from one head. They were all horribly mutilated. One woman
was cut open and a child taken out of her, and scalped.
White Antelope, War Bonnet and a member of others had Ears and Privates
cut off. Squaws snatches were cut out for trophies. You would think it
impossible for white men to butcher and mutilate human beings as they did there,
but every word I have told you is the truth, which they do not deny. It was
almost impossible to save any of them. Charly Autobee saved John Smith and
Winsers squaw. I saved little Charley Bent. Geo Bent was killed. Jack Smith was
taken prisoner, and murdered the next day in his tent by one of the Denn's Co.
"E". I understand the man received a horse for doing the job. They
were going to murder Charlie Bent, but I run him into the Fort. They were going
to kill Old Uncle John Smith, but Lt. Cannon and the boys of Ft. Lyon,
interfered, and saved him. They would have murdered Old Bents family, if Col.
Tappan had not taken the matter in hand. Cramer went up with twenty (20) men,
and they did not like to buck against so many of the 1st. Chivington has gone to
Washington to be made General, I suppose, and get authority to raise a nine
months Reg't to hunt Indians. He said Downing will have me cashiered if
possible. If they do I want you to help me. I think they will try the same for
Cramer for he has shot his mouth off a good deal, and did not shoot his pistol
off in the Massacre. Joe has behaved first rate during the whole affair.
Chivington reports five or six hundred killed, but there were not more than two
hundred, about 140 women and children and 60 Bucks. A good many were out hunting
buffalo. Our best Indians were killed. Black Kettle, One Eye, Minnemic, and Left
Hand. Geo. Pierce of Co. "F" was killed trying to save John Smith.
There was one other of the 1st killed and nine of the 3d all through their own
fault. They would get up to the edge of the bank and look over, to get a shot at
an Indian under them, and get an arrow put through them. When the women were
killed the Bucks did not seem to try and get away, but fought desperately.
Charly Autobee wished me to write all about it to you. He says he would have
given anything if you could have been there.
I suppose Cramer has written to you, all the particulars, so I will write
half. Your family is well. Billy Walker, Col. Tappen, Wilson (who was wounded in
the arm) start for Denver in the morning. There is no news I can think of. I
expect we will have a hell of a time with Indians this winter. We have (200) men
at the Post — Anthony in command. I think he will be dismissed when the facts
are known in Washington. Give my regards to any friends you come across, and
write as soon as possible.
Yours sc.
(signed) S.S. Soule
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