What were Chief Black Kettle's choices? After the Washita Massacre, were you surprised that public opinion began to criticize the army's actions?

Chief Black Kettle was attacked at the Sand Creek Massacre, but he remained on the path of peace. He was attacked again and killed at the Washita Massacre by Custer. What were his choices? After the Washita Massacre, were you surprised that public opinion began to criticize the army's actions?

Chief Black Kettles choices were fight back or continue to try to make peace. He chose peace, but it failed him. I think public opinion began to turn when news sources reported that Indians were killed after surrendering and that women and children were killed. But wasn't that the military's plan all along?

I agree with the above answer. I am not sure, but maybe this was the first time that the news articles turn in favor of the natives and therefore, against the government and Custer. I have to read more on this topic.

He didn't have a lot of options - fight or try for peace. He was a leader who tried to protect his people but they were all killed anyway. I think that once people became aware of the brutality in the killings and the ruthlessness (i.e., killing people who were flying the flag of surrender) people protested.

Black Kettle was what is known as a peace chief. Even after being attacked at Sand Creek by Colorado troops under the command of Colonel Chivington, he continued on the peace road, knowing that rebellion would ultimately be futile. When he and his people were attacked at Washita, they were in winter camp in a secluded location that they felt would be safe. Custer had been sent to locate the camp of hostiles that it was believed had committed depradations in Kansas, Colorado, and Oklahoma. They followed tracks to Black Kettle's camp, and some of the younger males in his camp may have been raiding, but history has determined that for the most part, Black Kettle and his group were not involved in the raids. As the book relates, after destroying the camp, hundreds of ponies were killed. Washita is a National Park Service National Monument and is definitely worth a visit. My husband and I visited it last summer and walked the trail to wear the Cheyenne were camped, where the pony herd was destroyed, etc. We could truly feel the sadness there. I was and wasn't surprised that public opinion changed after Washita. I was surprised because the US and the white population had always taken the attitude that whatever it/they wanted, it was theirs for the taking. I think that the atrocities committed at Sand Creek and then Black Kettle and his people being attacked and killed at Washita somehow tugged on the Eastern consciences. But the tug didn't result in a permanent change in how to do with the Indian.