Chief Joseph's Surrender Speech, October 5, 1877 by Chief Joseph
Tell General Howard I know his heart. What he told me before, I have it in my heart. I am
tired of fighting. Our Chiefs are killed; Looking Glass is dead, Ta Hool Hool Shute is dead.
The old men are all dead. It is the young men who say yes or no. He who led on the young
men is dead. It is cold, and we have no blankets; the little children are freezing to death. My
people, some of them have run away to the hills, and have no blankets, no food. No one
knows where they are-perhaps freezing to death. I want to have time to look for my children,
and see how many of them I can find. Maybe I shall find them among the dead. Hear me, my
Chiefs! I am tired; my heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands I will fight no
more forever.
Chief Joseph was not a war leader, but his actions and this speech cause him to be
remembered as one. Why might he be considered a leader in the war? (5 points)
He was the one who surrendered to U. S. forces.
U. S. forces commended his actions.
He rescued his people from their horrible conditions.
He fought U. S. forces for a long time.
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