Colonel Chivington

Importance: Preacher and mass murderer  of Indians

Colonel Chivington Preacher John Chivington was a Methodist minister who had the straightforward nickname of the ‘Fighting Preacher.’ He was a controversial figure opposing slavery and standing in the pulpit with two pistols – threatened with being run out of town at different times he eventually left for Denver, Colorado.

As the Civil War commenced shortly after his arrival there in 1861 he joined up. The following year he was a hero following his heroism at Glorietta Pass. Infamy was soon to follow in 1864 after he led the massacre of Black Kettle’s Cheyenne at Sand Creek, Colorado. Chivington avoided discipline or reprimand by leaving the service. It is a sad footnote that he remained a hero to the settlers of Colorado until his death.