Wrongful retaliation for a reign of terror

Colorado author explores both sides of notorious Sand Creek massacre

[May 05, 2007]  DENVER -- As dawn broke on Nov. 29, 1864, a volunteer Denver militia swept over a sleeping Cheyenne and Arapahoe village in the name of justice for brutal massacres against white settlers. In his latest novel, "Sand Creek," Kevin Cahill takes readers into 19th-century western America to experience the chilling conflicts and controversy that defined this tragedy.

When the smoke cleared, Col. John M. Chivington and his militia paraded through Denver, waving Indian scalps and body parts at an adoring crowd. They were hailed as heroes -- until the truth was revealed.

Cahill pays painstaking attention to detail to capture this devastating time in American history that turned "soldier against soldier, and Indian against Indian." Drawing from carefully documented facts, he portrays the terrifying attacks of the Cheyenne Dog Soldiers and other renegade Indians on a mission to slay all white settlers in the Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado territories.

These brutal murders engulfed Denver in a wave of fear and ultimately led to Chivington's assault on the peaceful Sand Creek village and the slaughter of innocent women, children and elderly who camped under the protection of Maj. Edward Wynkoop and the U.S. Army. Although Chivington falsely claimed he had killed over 500 Dog Soldiers in the attack, few of the guilty warriors were anywhere near Sand Creek the day of the massacre.

"Sand Creek" explores the motives of Chivington, not only illuminating the misdeeds of the overzealous, ambitious future politician, but also capturing the honest rage brought on by violence against the white settlers. Noble virtues and devastating flaws of both whites and Indians are revealed in this powerful, balanced account. From the failed leadership of Colorado Gov. John Evans in establishing good relations with the Cheyennes to Cheyenne Chief Black Kettle's flawed leadership in quelling the brutally savage Dog Soldiers, Cahill pulls no punches in examining every side of this tragic story.

"For a century, novels and films have only alluded to the incident, leaving a trail of distortions, inaccuracies and cartoonlike characters that resemble the real Sand Creek massacre in name only," Cahill says. "The truth of Sand Creek is a double-edged sword. This book probably isn't for those who need a sanitized, politically correct portrayal to either soothe their guilt or reinforce their denial."

Cahill, a Colorado native, is also the author of "Letters to a Rose," "The Last Cafe" and "Knights of Harvest." For more information, visit www.kclonewolf.com.

[Text from file received from Lone Wolf]