Near Chivington in Kiowa County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Why A 33 Star Flag
Photographed By Connor Olson, August 30, 2021
1. Why A 33 Star Flag Marker
The flag before you represents the flag that flew from Chief Black Kettle's lodge on the morning of November
29, 1864, when his encampment of friendly Cheyenne and Arapaho was brutally attacked by the Colorado
(U.S.) Volunteer Cavalry. The 33-stars represent the extent of the young United States in the year 1860, the
same year Chief Black Kettle received his flag as a token of peace from the United States. Black Kettle was told the flag would provide protection for the peaceful village, sending a clear sign to all that the Cheyenne and Arapaho people were friends to the United States, but his belief in the power of the flag proved short lived - the soldiers attacked the village at dawn, indiscriminately killing men, women and children.
“As I ran by Black Kettle's lodge [at Sand Creek] he had flag tied to lodge pole and was holding it..."
Little Bear, April 14, 1906
"Black Kettle ran... American flag up to the top of his lodge [at Sand Creek]...as he had been advised to do in case he should meet with any troops out on the prairies".
John Smith, sworn testimony, 1865
this page online
George Bent, March 15, 1905
Erected by National Park Service, Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Native Americans • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical year for this entry is 1860.
Location. 38° 32.668′ N, 102° 30.222′ W. Marker is near Chivington, Colorado, in Kiowa County. Marker can be reached from County Highway W east of Chief White Antelope Way. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Eads CO 81036, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Humans and the Prairie (here, next to this marker); Welcome to the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site (within shouting distance of this marker); Conscious and Courage (within shouting distance of this marker); The Sand Creek Massacre (within shouting distance of this marker); Sand Creek as Camp Site (approx. 0.3 miles away); Fort Lyon Reservation (approx. 0.3 miles away); Returned to Sand Creek (approx. 0.6 miles away); Sacred Memory (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chivington.
Photographed By Connor Olson, August 30, 2021
2. Marker can be seen to the right
Credits. This page was last revised on November 4, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 30, 2021, by Connor Olson of Kewaskum, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 96 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 30, 2021, by Connor Olson of Kewaskum, Wisconsin. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
