Black Kettle was born in 1803 around the Black Hills area of South Dakota. Originally he was born into the Northern Cheyenne and through marriage to Medicine Woman Later became a Southern Cheyenne. He became a Chief in 1861 and belonged to the Council of 44 (1854) with other chosen chiefs to govern the whole Cheyenne nation.
He signed many treaties to maintain peace. He was a visionary and knew that the settlers and the US soldiers were a reckoning force and many kept on entering the Cheyenne’s land (especially in 1858 and 1859 when there was the Pike’s Peak goldrush in Colorado) A lot of shanty towns developed during this period including the large town of Denver.
He was a peacemaker and didn’t want war. He couldn’t stop a lot of the young warriors from raiding on the settlers. In 1863 Black Kettle along with his friend Lean Bear was invited to meet with President Abraham Lincoln in Washington with a few other chiefs. The meeting was called due to the concerns of skirmishes with the settlers and Native American Indians. The Government also thought that the Natives may side with the confederacy.
The President convinced them either align with the union or remain neutral. They agreed to remain neutral and received medals. Colonel Greenwood gave Black Kettle an American flag and was instructed to display this flag at all times and no soldier will fire upon him. They will know you are a peaceful friend. Black Kettle was so proud of this flag. He lived through the Sand Creek massacre. He kept on the peace path until it was too late when he was killed at the Battle of the Washita (November 27 1868) by the Seventh Cavalry. He lived to 65 years of age.
