"Friendship rises from bitter past"

I found this story to be somewhat complicated, so, to start, I'm going to give some background info on those involved.

* Mochi/Buffalo Calf
* Chief Medicine Water
* John Chivington
* frank Baldwin
* German fam

timeline:

* jan 27 1821- John Chivington born
* 1844- John Chivington ordained as minister
* may 1860- John Chivington and fam move to Denver co
* April 1862- John Chivington appointed colonel
* nov 1862- John Chivington appointed brigadier general
* feb 1863- John Chivington's brigadier general appointment withdrawn
* **nov 29 1864- John Chivington leads sand creek massacre, mochi's mom among the dead**
* feb 1865- John Chivington resigns from army
* 1865- Thomas Chivington dies of drowning
* **1867-8- John Chivington marries son Thomas's widow Sarah lull**
* **July 1868- John Chivington unsuccessfully sues govt**
* **oct 1871- John and Sarah chivington divorce**
* **aug 24 1874- lone tree massacre**
* **sep 11 1874- German family massacred (John, liddia, Rebecca, Joanna, Stephen)**
* **nov 8 1874- Julia and Nancy German rescued after military attacks their camp**
* **mar 1875- Catherine and Sophia German released when captors surrender at ft. Leavenworth in ks**
* **dec 18 1876- frank Baldwin (leader of the attack freeing Julia and Nancy) attacks an Indian village in mt for which he rises in military rank**
* **1878- mochi released from military custody**
* 1881- mochi dies at age est. 39-40
* oct 4 1894- John Chivington dies at age 73

> long back "married" the oldest surviving German daughter (the weekly eagle, may 6 1875)
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> general nelson miles officially made guardian of Sophia German on sep 7 1875 (Leavenworth daily commercial, sep 14 1875)
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> at time of massacre, Julia was 2-3 or 4-5 (double check ages w ancestry profiles), Nancy Adelaide was 6-7, and Catherine and Sophia were 11 and 13 (check ancestry to see who was which) (daily press and herald, nov 28 1874; boston evening transcript, dec 23 1874)
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> quotes/info about Julia and Nancy Adelaide's rescue (not in order they were printed): "hid in a ravine, covered up with an old blanket."; "When the covering was pulled off, they looked up into the face of the soldiers who discovered them, and asked what kind of Indians" those soldiers were; "almost naked and nearly starved" (boston evening transcript, nov 28 1874);
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> quotes/info about Catherine and Sophia's rescue: "They had nothing on but an Indian blanket. Their faces and bodies down to their waists were besmeared with paint, and their appearance was heart-rending in the extreme."; description from general miles' wife who helped care for the girls immediately after their rescue: "I was unprepared to see such a sight as was presented to me when poor Catherine alighted. Her dark hair was matted about her head, and her limbs, which were exposed as she walked towards us, she having nothing on but a blanket, were terribly emaciated; and her weak and sickly condition showed that her poor system had suffered more than it could bear. I took her in my arms and kissed her, and we both shed tears. Sophia seemed to have fared better and was in a stronger condition. Catherine seemed half-crazed when she came in, and her accounts were not altogether satisfactory; but she speedily recovered, and is now rapidly assuming her former condition."; (the Kansas City Times, mar 14 1875)
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> "Miss Catherine shows traces of beauty, and as she told her story her expressive blue eyes were at times blind with tears. She will be seventeen years old on the 16th of the present month, and is of ordinary height, with regular features, a mass of dark hair, and a face of more than ordinary intelligence. Her language shows that she is possessed of a common school education, and in her manners she is exceedingly modest and retiring. She fully realizes her terrible situation, but is not downcast, seeming to think it more judicious and sensible to strive and forget her experience. Sophia is only 11 years old, but is well developed and looks older than she really is. Her eyes and hair are like her sister's. She has been less cruelly dealt with, and will soon be as well as ever. The reporter learned that Catherine was not enciente, and that she had escaped contracting any disease while being exposed to the severe cold of the winter. Many a heart will be shocked with the account of this poor girl's treatment while in the power these lecherous devils that satiated their beastly desires by ravishing this helpless creature. She was not considered as the wife of any one chief, but was carnally known by nearly every demon in the tribe. And this was the unfortunate girl that had been for nearly nine months subjected to such fiendish treatment as this! There she sat - pale, wan of face, sunken of eye, and heart-broken in spirits. And outside in lazy indolence the vile wretches who had perpetrated these outrages! Surely every one of them should be made suffer the full extent of the law. She says she can identify every one of the party that murdered her parents and brothers and sisters, and the government should not be slow in bringing these copper-colored devils to justice - such as is served out to white men. Catherine told a portion of the history of her family, showing that they were respectable people in moderate circumstances, and that the children had been reared with all the care that loving parents could give. They left Morgantown, Fannin county, Georgia, nearly five years ago and removed to Howard county, Missouri, where they remained until May, 1872. Leaving there they emigrated to Merryville, Stone county, Missouri, living there until September with an uncle by the name of Burton Brown. Johanna, one of the sisters, being unhealthy, the father decided to go to Kansas, hoping a change would be beneficial. Then they removed to Elgin, Howard county, Kansas, but remained there only one year when they started for Colorado. The family consisted of the following, aged as given below: Father and mother- John Germain and Lydia G Germain. The daughters, Rebecca, 21; Stephen, 19; Johanna, 15; Catherine, 17; Sophia, 11; Julia, 7; and Nancy, 5. This was the party that started on the fatal journey to Colorado. They had an ordinary covered wagon, some provision and an ox team. When they arrived at Smoky Hill River, about 14 miles south of the track of the Kansas Pacific, and within 30 miles of Ft. Wallace, they encamped. They spent the night there, and on the morning of Friday, September 11, 1874, were up early and preparing to resume their journey. From this point forward it will be more interesting to hear the story from Catherine's own lips, being introduced to the girls, the reporter politely asked of them the particulars of the attack on them at Smoky Hill and the murder of their family. Catherine spoke as follows, the language being hers, with few changes: "'Just as the sun was rising, and while engaged in driving the cattle up the river bank towards the wagon, I heard shots and yells, and, running closer, saw my father fall, shot through the back by an Indian. I was terribly frightened, but I can never forget the spectacle that there ensued. My brother Stephen was a half mile away hunting up some stock, and he had a gun with him. As poor father fell mother rushed towards him only to receive a shot from another Indian who fired at her head, killing her almost instantly. My father was not killed at once, for he moved his arms about as he was scalped by one of the party. They also scalped my mother. An old squaw picked up our axe and stuck it in my fathers head, leaving it fixed in his skull. During the time this was going on, one party rode after Stephen and shot and scalped him. My sister, Rebecca, made a brave defense with an axe, she knocked down one of the Indians and would have killed him if she had not been tomahawked from behind. While half insensible, and scarcely alive, the Indians -five or six of them- despoiled her person, and after that they scalped her. Then they carried her near the wagon, tore off her clothes, piled them up over her, with some other things from the wagon, and while she was still alive set fire to the pile and burned her up.'" Here the heart-broken girl broke down, and the reporter waited some time before she could proceed. Amidst sobs and tears and in broken utterances, she continued as follows, occasionally assisted by Sophia: "'After all were killed but we five sisters, they gathered around us to see which one should be put out of the way, as they said they could only take four along. One Indian, who seemed to be a chief, came up, and looking at Johannie and me suddenly drew up his gun and shot sister's head off. I was so frightened that I could not stir for a long time. As soon as they got everything they wanted they set the wagon on fire and killed the cattle; then made Sophia and I get on horses and tied us on, took our two little sisters up in front of them and started off as fast as the horses could go. We traveled all day, going due south, I should judge. One squaw tried to save Rebecca's life, but the Indian she hit with the axe said he would have her scalp, and so she was shot. After traveling two days we crossed a railroad track (probably A., T. & S. F.). The day after we got over the railroad, Medicine Man with a small party left, and they were gone until late in the afternoon. When they came up to us they had three fresh scalps and a number of articles that must have belonged to a man, woman and small child; also had a lot of canned fruit and oysters. After keeping us riding nearly two weeks the main camp near the Staked Plains was reached. Stone Calf had command, and when they brought us in all the tribe turned out and had a great time. The same night they had a big scalp dance over the scalps of our family, and made us all look at it. Two days after the main body of Indians were reached. They took sisters Julia and Nancy away from the camp and I have never seen them since. Sophie saw them once, about December, but only for a few minutes. All of us were one day placed on horses, and after the Indian fashion made to ride as fast as horses could go, and the Indian who caught us had to take care of us for good. Soon after this the whole body started north to get out of the way of the troops which, it was reported, were close at hand. Stone Calf, with Sophie, was left behind with about 100 more, and the rest, under charge of Gray Beard, Eagle Head, Heaps of Bird and Lean Bear, still kept on north. In about a week, while encamped on Wolf creek, the soldiers again made the Indians run. I did not see them, but heard the guns. All of this time I was on horseback and a good deal of the time very sick; had to ride all the time, and at night was often whipped and beaten, because I could not carry as much wood and water as some of the squaws. All this time I was under charge of Long Back. At times I was nearly frozen, having nothing but a blanket to keep warm with at night. Sometimes there would be a foot of snow on the ground, but they made me work just as hard. This was about December 1st. My feet were frozen, and the nails of my right foot all came off. In January I met sister Sophia for a short time, and she told me we were better to be killed.'" The reporter asked Catherine if she thought they would kill her; and she answered, "'No, I always thought the soldiers would release us some time, and told Sophia not to be afraid. In the latter part of January I received a letter from Gen. Neil, brought to the camp by a Kiowa scout, telling me to keep up good spirits and the soldiers would soon capture us. A second letter was received soon after this, but the Indians would not let me open it. They used to let me look at it, but would not let me take it into my own hands. As soon as these letters were received, I felt ever so much better. From this time until Romeo met us, the Indians treated me much better. We had but little to eat. Horses and dogs were all the meat we had. When the Kiowas were in camp with the letter, they would not let me out of the lodge, for fear they would steal me and take me to Fort Sill. One squaw was at times very kind to me, but all the rest used to strike me every chance they had. They used to paint me every few days. About a month ago I was sure the Indians were going to surrender, as Stone Calf and Eagle Head with their bands joined ours and all started north. I did not see Sophia all this time, but knew she was near me, as the squaw that had been good to me said "'Little sister with Stone Calf.'" At last Medicine Water came to my lodge and told me I was to be given up. I asked him to let me see Sophia, and he answered, "'Sister dead.'" I did not believe him, and one day Stone Calf told me she was alive and well. About two weeks ago I saw a four-horse wagon coming toward our camp, and as soon as it was near enough I started to run out and meet it. The Indians would not let me, but made me go into a tent. Soon Romeo came to me and spoke to me in English. It was the first time I had heard it for months. He said I might go with him and he would take good care of me. (the Kansas City Times, mar 14 1875)
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story published in German and English, in US and uk and Canada

possible sources:

https://archive.org/details/reportjointcomm01goocgoog/page/120/mode/2up?view=theater (investigation into Chivington)

https://books.google.com/books?id=BaqmFQtvC-oC&pg=PA99#v=onepage&q&f=false (chapter 6)

https://archive.org/details/massacrealongmed00bech (skim entirety, chivingtons on pages 84, 402, 404-5, 407)

https://www.kclonewolf.com/History/SandCreek/sctime-05-1864-fall.html

https://www.nps.gov/sand/learn/historyculture/people.htm

https://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=moa;idno=ABY3709.0003.001;rgn=full%20text;view=toc;cc=moa

https://truewestmagazine.com/?s=sand+creek

https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=22d3fde19768048d3&q=https://www.umc.org/en/content/indigenous-peoples&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwiS2feaouL9AhVElIkEHeW8DKwQFnoECAQQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3GnRXiluwyTB\_38JfmonKV

https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=22d3fde19768048d3&q=https://www.umc.org/en/content/10-ideas-for-a-more-meaningful-ash-wednesday&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwiS2feaouL9AhVElIkEHeW8DKwQFnoECAkQAg&usg=AOvVaw04vzLBo03y-UYVyzT37rjz

https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=22d3fde19768048d3&q=http://www.umc.org/news-and-media/gc2012-to-include-call-to-repentance&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwiS2feaouL9AhVElIkEHeW8DKwQFnoECAEQAg&usg=AOvVaw3fPJsoYGC7qyJJwJz-1MiL

https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=22d3fde19768048d3&q=http://www.umc.org/news-and-media/united-methodists-prepare-for-annual-conferences&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwiS2feaouL9AhVElIkEHeW8DKwQFnoECAIQAg&usg=AOvVaw2smRDRYNc-tj4zpiRevpII

https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=22d3fde19768048d3&q=https://www.umc.org/en/content/4-ways-to-honor-and-undergird-native-indigenous-people&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwiS2feaouL9AhVElIkEHeW8DKwQFnoECAMQAg&usg=AOvVaw2qb3q1AblL7wtLF7uJjVOH

https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=22d3fde19768048d3&q=https://www.umc.org/es/content/10-ideas-for-a-more-meaningful-ash-wednesday&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwiS2feaouL9AhVElIkEHeW8DKwQFnoECAcQAQ&usg=AOvVaw2Ol03ZOOJ9ewmXPvSDA6mc

https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=22d3fde19768048d3&q=https://www.umc.org/en/content/immersed-in-native-culture-history&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwiS2feaouL9AhVElIkEHeW8DKwQFnoECAAQAg&usg=AOvVaw3kYU2ZedGh7oiEqk5rgYZN

https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=22d3fde19768048d3&q=https://www.umc.org/en/content/overt-and-covert-racism&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwiS2feaouL9AhVElIkEHeW8DKwQFnoECAgQAg&usg=AOvVaw2oJCroXzhoUwVcWD62XNgY

https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=22d3fde19768048d3&q=https://www.umc.org/en/content/book-of-resolutions-native-people-and-the-united-methodist-church&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjO37eeo-L9AhWoj4kEHb7JBsM4ChAWegQIABAB&usg=AOvVaw0h1l-hqSEwPQbejMl9bI5n

https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=22d3fde19768048d3&q=https://www.umc.org/en/content/ask-the-umc-what-does-the-united-methodist-church-say-about-racism&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjO37eeo-L9AhWoj4kEHb7JBsM4ChAWegQIARAB&usg=AOvVaw0l3HgkZ3Of62iEDESFIs7U

https://www.transformcolumbusday.org/media/20041229-lf.html

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0282726/

sources: