THE NEZ PERCE: FROM PEACE RIBBON TO FUGITIVE Westward Expansion:

Chronological Order of Primary Sources Chief Joseph's Surrender Speech October 5, 1877 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. "My duty shall be done fully and to the letter without complaint.” " My command is so much worn by overfatigue and jaded animals that I cannot push it much farther.” "in a few days work my way back to Fort Boise slowly, and distribute my troops before snow falls in the mountains." "should pursue the Nez Perces to the death, lead where they may.... If you are tired, give the command to some young energetic officer.... When the Indians are caught, your men can march to the Pacific Railroad and reach their posts by rail and steamboat. They are not needed back in California and Oregon now, but are needed just where they are." "You misunderstood me. I never flag. It was the command, including the most energetic young officers, that were worn out and weary by a most extraordinary march. You need not fear for the campaign. Neither you nor General McDowell can doubt my pluck and energy.... We move in the morning and will continue to the end.”

Lewis and Clark [Clark:] Wednesday (Friday) 20th.. September I set out early and proceeded on through a Countrey as ruged as usial passed over a low mountain into the forks of a large Creek which I kept down 2 miles and assended a high Steep mountain leaveing the Creek to our left hand passed the head of several dreans on a divideing ridge, and at 12 miles decended the mountain to a leavel pine Countrey proceeded on through a butifull Countrey for three miles to a Small Plain in which I found maney Indian lodges, at the distance of 1 mile from the lodges, I met 3 (Indian) boys, when they saw me [they] ran and hid themselves, (in the grass) (I desmounted gave my gun and horse to one of the men,) searched (in the grass and) found (2 of the boys) gave them Small pieces of ribin & Sent them forward to the village (Soon after) a man Came out to meet me, [with great caution] & Conducted me [us] to a large Spacious Lodge which he told me (by Signs) was the Lodge of his great Chief who had Set out 3 days previous with all the Warriers

Fort Nez Perce

Walla Walla Council

John J. McGilvra, U.S. Attorney to Washington Territory, letter to Colonel Thomas Cornelius, describing violations of treaty with Nez Perce and requesting protection for Nez Perce against white settlers, June 16,

Treaty Violations Letter Transcript Walla Walla W. T. June 16th, 1862 Colonel, Without being fully advised as to your authority to act in the premises, I deem it my duty to advise you of the condition of things upon the Nez Perces Reservation, hoping that if you do not feel authorized to take any active steps, you will lose no time in conferring with the proper officer. Having spent the last three weeks upon said Reservation, I have seen and know something of the real Condition of affairs there. I find that the treaty terms are being flagrantly and openly violated in almost every particular. The lands of the Indians, even in some instances, their little farms are being taken from them, their stash is being stolen, intoxicating liquor is being sold and given to them without measure, and in one instance at least one of their number was shot down in cold blood by one of these white Robbers. Their condition is indeed wretched and they are almost in despair. In a word without going further into detail, my opinion is that the prompt action of the military authorities in connection with the civil (for the civil authorities cannot swiftly act among the band of desperados without the presence of the military) in behalf of the Indians by restraining the whites, will prevent the necessity which otherwise must arise and very soon, of sending a larger military force into the field to protect the whites from the just indignation of their wronged and injured natives. Already there has been an outbreak upon the Umatilla Rservation. The excess nature and extent of which we have not learned. In view of these bursts I would as one of the civil Officers of the territory request that a detachment of one or more companies of your command be immediately sent to said Nez Perce Reservation at or near Lewiston to assist in the enforcement of the law and to preserve the peace. I am very truly yours, John J. McGilvra U. S. Atty, for W. T. Col. Cornelius Commander of Post N. Terr. Walla Walla

General Oliver Otis Howard The question (about continuing) was resolved in Virginia City beginning August 24, in a heated exchange of telegrams among Howard, McDowell, and Sherman, who was at Fort Shaw, Montana. Replying to Howard's earlier question about continuing, McDowell told him pointedly that his instructions were to go on, and Howard responded, "My duty shall be done fully and to the letter without complaint.” But to Sherman he wrote, "My command is so much worn by overfatigue and jaded animals that I cannot push it much farther.” If other troops could head off the tribesmen in their front, Howard could, "in a few days work my way back to Fort Boise slowly, and distribute my troops before snow falls in the mountains.” Sherman interpreted the message to be that Howard wanted to quit, and he replied that he, "should pursue the Nez Perces to the death, lead where they may.... If you are tired, give the command to some young energetic officer.... When the Indians are caught, your men can march to the Pacific Railroad and reach their posts by rail and steamboat. They are not needed back in California and Oregon now, but are needed just where they are.” The reprimand gave Howard new resolve, and on August 27, back at Henry's Lake, he sent a message to the commanding general, "You misunderstood me. I never flag. It was the command, including the most energetic young officers, that were worn out and weary by a most extraordinary march. You need not fear for the campaign. Neither you nor General McDowell can doubt my pluck and energy.... We move in the morning and will continue to the end.”

Chief Joseph's Surrender Speech October 5, 1877 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.