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.
What is the speaker's overall point in this passage?
He is surrendering because the winter's cold has killed many of his people.
O He is surrendering because so many of his tribe's elders have passed away.
O He is surrendering because his people's lives are more important than their freedom.
O He is surrendering because his people have been overwhelmed by superior U. S.forces.