Geronimo’s Story of His Life · Chapter
Surrender of Geronimo explained
This chapter details the surrender of Geronimo and his band to General Miles at Skeleton Canyon in 1886, including the terms of surrender, the role of Captain Lawton and Lieutenant Gatewood, and the subsequent controversy over whether the s
What happens
This chapter details the surrender of Geronimo and his band to General Miles at Skeleton Canyon in 1886, including the terms of surrender, the role of Captain Lawton and Lieutenant Gatewood, and the subsequent controversy over whether the surrender was unconditional or included promises of safety and reunion with families. It also includes a civilian account of the aftermath and questions whether the U.S. government honored the treaty.
Themes in this chapter
Betrayal and Broken Treaties
The chapter highlights the disputed terms of surrender and the separation of Geronimo from his family, suggesting a broken promise.
Injustice and Oppression
The treatment of Geronimo and his band as prisoners of war, and the questioning of whether the government honored the treaty, reflects systemic injustice.
Resistance and Survival
Geronimo's band's prolonged resistance and eventual surrender under duress illustrate their struggle for survival.
Characters to notice
- Geronimo
Surrenders to General Miles at Skeleton Canyon; negotiates terms for his band.
- Naiche
Hereditary chief who is suspicious and fears treachery; surrenders alongside Geronimo.
- General Nelson A. Miles
Commands the Department of Arizona; negotiates the surrender and outlines terms.
- Captain Lawton
Leads troops that surprise Geronimo's camp; receives overtures of surrender.
- General O. O. Howard
Reports on the surrender conditions and relays dispatches from Miles.
- Mangus Colorado
Mentioned as a leader who was murdered after surrendering, influencing Naiche's fear.
- Chihuahua
Mentioned as already at Fort Marion with his band; Geronimo's band was to be placed with him.
- J. D. Prewitt
Partner of the civilian narrator; rides the lines after the surrender.
Key passages
“Geronimo came from his mountain camp amid the rocks and said he was willing to surrender. He was told that they could surrender as prisoners of war; that it was not the way of officers of the Army to kill their enemies who laid down their arms.”
Geronimo emerged from his rocky mountain camp and declared his willingness to surrender. He was assured that the Army's officers do not kill enemies who give up their weapons, and that they would be taken as prisoners of war.
Describes the initial surrender negotiation at Skeleton Canyon.
“They regarded the separation of themselves from their families as a violation of the terms of their treaty of surrender, by which they had been guaranteed, in the most positive manner conceivable to their minds, that they should be united with their families at Fort Marion.”
Geronimo and Naiche considered the separation from their families a breach of the surrender agreement, which they believed had firmly promised they would be reunited with their families at Fort Marion.
Expresses the Apache perspective on the broken promise.