# Surrender of Geronimo explained — Geronimo’s Story of His Life

> Chapter companion for Geronimo’s Story of His Life by Geronimo.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/geronimo_s_story_of_his_life_se/chapters/xviii-surrender-of-geronimo
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/geronimo_s_story_of_his_life_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/geronimo_s_story_of_his_life_se/chapters