Surrender Speech of Chief Joseph, Montana Territory, October 5th, 1877.When him and his people were
Surrender Speech of Chief Joseph, Montana Territory, October 5th, 1877.When him and his people were ordered to a reservation by the US Government, Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce refused to obey. Instead they attempted a 1,100 mile journey to the Canadian border. Along they way they were constantly assaulted by US Army troops. Finally on October 1st, only 40 miles from the border, they were stopped by the army. After a five day battle they were forced to surrender.“Tell General Howard I know his Heart. What He told me before I have in my heart. I am tired of fighting, Looking Glass is dead. too-Hul-hul-sote 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.”Of the 800 Nez Perce who started the journey, less than half survived. -- source link
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