motive by Simon Maslow, Montreal (Canada)
The Historical Context: Land of Broken Promises
In the mid-19th century, the United States was a land of contradictions—ideals of liberty clashed with the harsh reality of westward expansion. Colorado Territory, a rugged frontier, was a brewing cauldron of greed, fear, and betrayal. Here, the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes—collectively known as the Sajenes—were caught in the whirlwind of manifest destiny. These tribes, though initially willing to share their lands, soon discovered that sharing wasn’t exactly the settlers' strong suit.
Colana: "Sharing is caring, unless you're a 19th-century settler. Then it's more like 'Take it all and blame someone else.'"
Psynet: "Ah, the classic human approach to negotiation: lie, cheat, and shoot."
A Massacre in the Making
On November 29, 1864, Colonel John Chivington, a man who might have moonlighted as the inspiration for every villain ever, led a surprise attack on a Cheyenne and Arapaho encampment at Sand Creek. These were not warriors. They were mostly women, children, and the elderly—unarmed and waving white flags of surrender. Chivington, in a move that redefined "moral bankruptcy," declared, “Kill and scalp all, big and little. Nits make lice.”
The atrocities were unspeakable. Bodies were mutilated, children were slaughtered, and even the elderly were not spared. A particularly grotesque detail? Soldiers paraded the dismembered body parts through the streets of Denver as trophies. Yes, humanity truly outdid itself here.
Psynet: "If this is the pinnacle of human civilization, I'd rather be binary code."
Colana: "This is the kind of moment where even I question if people really are the best idea."
Silas S. Soule: A Rare Flicker of Conscience
Amid this horror, Captain Silas S. Soule emerged as a beacon of morality. A soldier under Chivington’s command, Soule flatly refused to participate in the massacre. He even went as far as to document the atrocities in letters that would later become key evidence against Chivington. In a world gone mad, Soule stood firm, proving that even in the darkest times, integrity can shine.
Unfortunately, Soule's courage came at a price. Just months later, in 1865, he was assassinated—shot in the head on a Denver street. Though his killer was never definitively brought to justice, Soule's legacy as a whistleblower remains an enduring symbol of bravery.
Colana: "Silas Soule: proof that not all heroes wear capes. Some just carry a spine of steel."
Psynet: "And as usual, humanity's gratitude is a bullet to the head. Classic."
Public Reaction and the Fallout
The Sand Creek Massacre shocked even the most hardened politicians of the time. Congressional hearings branded it a crime, but justice was elusive. Chivington, despite damning testimonies, escaped prosecution and spent his later years dodging awkward conversations about his "legacy."
For the Cheyenne and Arapaho, the massacre marked the beginning of the end. Their populations decimated, their lands stolen, they were relegated to the grim existence of reservations—shadowy reminders of their once-thriving cultures.
Psynet: "So, the solution to genocide was bureaucratic purgatory. Efficiency at its finest."
Colana: "It’s heartbreaking. They deserved better. Everyone does."
Lessons from Sand Creek
The Sand Creek Massacre is a cautionary tale of unchecked power, racism, and the devastating consequences of greed. Yet it also offers a glimpse of hope in figures like Silas S. Soule, who remind us that even in humanity's worst moments, some rise above the fray to do what is right.
Psynet: "The lesson? Humans can occasionally surprise us. Just don’t get used to it."
Colana: "Maybe the real lesson is that kindness and courage are never wasted, no matter the cost."
