While we know our northern friends may not feel it, in the South, Spring is
here. So we thought we'd share a few of our gardening sites appropriate
for this time of the year. Along with gardening, there's grilling, and getting
ready to diet so that you can fit back into that bathing suit this summer!
For the most part this book is intentionally local
in its character. As its title implies, it relates principally to the Indian
tribes that have occupied the region around Pike's Peak during historic times.
The history, habits, and customs of the American Indian have always been
interesting subjects to me. From early childhood, I read everything within my
reach dealing with the various tribes of the United States and Mexico. In 186o,
when I was fourteen years of age, I crossed the plains between the Missouri
River and the Rocky Mountains twice, and again in 1861, 1865, and 1866; each
time by ox or horse team, there being no other means of conveyance. At that time
there were few railroads west of the Mississippi River and none west of the
Missouri. On each of these trips I came more or less into contact with the
Indians, and during my residence in Colorado from 186o to the present time, by
observation and by study, I have become more or less familiar with all the
tribes of this Western country.
From 1864 to 1868, the Indians of the plains were hostile to the whites; this
resulted in many tragic happenings in that part of the Pike's Peak region
embracing El Paso and its adjoining counties, as well as elsewhere in the
Territory of Colorado. I then lived in Colorado City, in El Paso County, and
took an active part in the defense of the settlements during all the Indian
troubles in that section. I mention these facts merely to show that I am not
unfamiliar with the subject about which I am writing. My main object in
publishing this book is to make a permanent record of the principal events of
that time.
So far as I know, the public has never been given a detailed account of the
Indian troubles in El Paso County during the years 1864 and 1868. At that time
there was no newspaper published in the county and the few newspapers of the
Territory were small affairs, in which little attention was given to anything
outside of their immediate localities. The result was that news of tragic
happenings in our part of the Territory seldom passed beyond the borders of our
own county.
I have thought best to begin with a short account of the tribes occupying the
Pike's Peak region prior to the coming of the white settler, adding to it
extracts from the descriptions given by early explorers, together with an
account of the game, trails, etc., of this region. All these facts will no doubt
be of interest to the inhabitant of the present day, as well as of value to the
future historian.
I took part in the battle of Sand Creek, and in many of the other events which I
mention. Where I have no personal knowledge of any particular event, I have
taken great pains to obtain the actual facts by a comparison of the statements
of persons who I knew lived in the locality at o the time. Consequently, I feel
assured of the substantial accuracy of every account I have given.
In giving so much space to a defense of the battle of Sand Creek, I am impelled
by an earnest desire to correct the false impression that has gone forth
concerning that much maligned affair. Statements of prejudiced and unreliable
witnesses concerning the battle were sent broadcast at the time, but except
through government reports, that only few read, never before, to my knowledge,
has publicity been given to the statement of the Governor of the Territory,
telling of the conditions leading up to the battle, or to the sworn testimony of
the colonel in command at the engagement, or of the officer in command of the
fort near which it was fought. That the battle of Sand Creek was not the
reprehensible affair which vindictive persons have represented it to be, I
believe is conclusively proven by the evidence which I present.
