The peace framework and the military framework were in direct conflict, and the military framework had the guns.

Black Kettle had placed his trust in the peace faction and in the treaty process.

The peace faction was sincere in its commitments.

It simply did not control the military.

The Role of the Press and Public Opinion

The American press of the 1860s played a significant role in both the events at Sand Creek and their aftermath, and the press response to the Washita was notably different from the press response to Sand Creek.

Sand Creek was initially presented in the eastern press as a military victory.