Historia Americana S1 E11: "The Minister" John Chivington

John Chivington was a Methodist minister who became a Colonel in the U.S. Volunteer Army. Motivated by his dislike of Native Americans and to become a politician caused him to seek fame and glory. After being proclaimed a hero of the Battle of Glorietta Pass, Chivington was named commander of the 3rd Colorado Cavalry Regiment. Due to the conflict between the Colorado territorial government and the local tribes, Chivington was tasked with the duty to quell the natives from further actions.

On November 29, 1864 A.D. Chivington led over 700 cavalry men and soldiers to attack the camp of Chief Black Kettle, a native who actually wanted to co-exist with the white settlers peacefully. The incident which would be later known as the Sand Creek Massacre horrified the nation when the true nature of the attack was made public. Several officers led by Captain Silas Soule testified against Chivington at the U.S. Congressional Hearings that was organized by Major Edwin Wynkoop who looked into Soule's claims along with sworn statements from his fellow soldiers and survivors of the attack. John Chivington was found responsible for the massacre but wasn't punished by the U.S. Army due to resigning before the investigation.

But the cruelty of the atrocities that were committed by his soldiers led to Chivington being shunned by society. Unable to hold a job for very long due to his tarnished reputation, he wandered the country before dying in Colorado from cancer at the age of 73. Listen to the Illustrious Narrator talk about "The Minster" John Chivington.