13. The Smoky Hill and Camp Weld Councils in 1864
In September, 1864, Wynkoop and Soule negotiated with Cheyenne leader Black Kettle, and other Indian leaders, for the release of hostages held by the hostile bands, at the Indian encampment at Smoky Hill River. The hostages, four white children whose parents had been killed in raids, were offered by Black Kettle and Arapaho leader Left Hand in exchange for a promise to treat with governor Evans. Soule escorted the native leaders to meet with the governor and Colonel Chivington at Camp Weld, near Denver, while Wynkoop returned to Fort Lyon with the children.
While the attempts to negotiate peace with the Cheyenne went on, the federal government in Washington finally acquiesced to public pressure (and the lobbying of Colonel Chivington, among others) to create a Denver-based militia regiment to deal with the marauders. Soule returned to his post at Fort Lyon, while Black Kettle moved with his followers to a camp on the Sand River. Cheyenne and Arapaho raids continued, with Cheyenne “Dog Soldiers” (organized warriors) renouncing Black Kettle’s efforts to establish peace between the natives and the white settlers.