Black Kettle (d. 1868), leader of a band of Southern Cheyennes, was one of the tribal leaders who believed that making peace with the whites was the best policy for his people. He convinced several other leaders to meet with white military authorities to discuss ending the fighting on the plains and to offer to return white children who had been captured during the summer. Black Kettle dictated this letter to George Bent, the mixed-blood son of William Bent, founder of Bent’s Fort. The letter was sent to the Indian agent, Samuel Colley, but received by Major Edward Wynkoop, commander at Fort Lyon. Wynkoop agreed to meet with Black Kettle and the others at their camp on the Smoky Hill River, north of Fort Lyon.
This letter is unusual and especially valuable because it expresses directly the Indian point of view; most sources from this period were from whites. Still, it offers us only one perspective on events.
Cheyenne Village Aug. 29th/64
Maj. Colley.
Sir
We received a letter from Bent wishing us to make peace. We held a consel in regard to it & all came to the conclusion to make peace with you providing you make peace with the Kiowas; Commenches, Arrapahoes Apaches and Siouxs.
We are going to send a messenger to the Kiowas and to the other nations about our going to make with you. We heard that you some prisoners in Denver. We have seven prisoners of you which we are willing to give up providing you give up yours.
There are three war parties out yet and two of Arrapahoes. They have been out some time and exspect now soon.
When we held this counsel there were few Arrapahoes and Siouxs present. We want true news from you in return, that is a letter.
Black Kittle & other Chieves
Brought to Ft Lyon Sunday Sept 4th 1864 by One Eye
Source: Letter, “Black Kettle & 7 Other Chieves” to Major Colley, August 29, 1864, Special Collections, Tutt Library, Colorado College, Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Evaluating the Evidence