Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1882-06-27
De Longs Log

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Department from Engineer Melville, detail
ing his search for De Longs party, and the
incidents connected with finding them. De
Longs note book, which was found beside |
him under the snow, tells Il piteous tale.
The notes were begun on Saturday, October
l, 1851, and the first entry is; '1l1th day,
and new month. Called all hands as soon
as the cook announced boiling water, and at
6:45 had our breakfast-half pound Of deer
meat and tea. The doctor resumed the
cutting away of poor Erickson's toes this
morning. No doubt it will have to continue
till half his feet are gone or death ensues, or
we get to settlement. Only one toe is left
now
The note book also gives an account of
each days experience from that date on
| ward, but towards the last his notes become
very short,
Uuder date of Monday, October 3D. De
Long writes tina his party thought they saw
a hut but upon reaching the spot found only
il mound \ camp was made in hole in
the bluff, and Il roaring fire was soon drying
! land burning) their clothes, while the cold
wind ate into their backs.
Nothing was left to cat but their dog,
which was killed and dressed, and stew
made of such parts as could not be cured.
All partoOk of the stew except De Long and
the Doctor. AlcNy was sent off to examine
what they thought was Il hut, and came
back at night with 4 favorable report. 1t
was decided to wait till morning before
leaving 1t was then below zero A watch
was set to keep the fire going, and all hud-
died around it, and thus the third night with
out sleep was passed. If AleXy had not wrap
ped his sealskin around De Long and kept
him warm by the heat of his body he
(De Long, thinks he would have persisted;
as it was he steamed and shivered and
shook In the morning Erickson was I'M
conscious, and had to be dashed to the sled.
At a. IN. the party reached hut large
enough to hold them all, and for the first
time since Saturday they managed to get
warm. Erickson was very low, and pray
crs were read for him before the others
sought rest. AT 10 a. IN. all except Alexy
lay down to sleep. AleXy went off to hunt,
and at noon returned wet having fallen in
to the river. At p. IN. they reused up and
had pound of dog meat for each person
and cup of tea, the days allowance, but
they were so greattul that they were not ex-
posed to the terrible gale which was raging
tons. On Wednesday tea and dog meat for
breakfast. Alexy again went off hunting
and came back with nothing. On Thursday
had il cup Of third hand tea, with half an
ounce of alcohol in it. Alexy was again
sent out to hunt, and Erickson died while
he was gone. AlcXy again returned empty
handed.
The notes at this point say: "What in
Gods name is to become Of us-fourteen
pounds Of dog meat left, and twenty-five
miles to a possible settlement 2" They
could not olga grave for Erickson, rs the
ground was frozen too hard. and they had
nothing to dig with. So they sewed his
body up in the flaps Of the tent, covered him
with their flag and buried him in the river.
Three volleys from their Rcmingtons were
fired over him. Under date of October 9th
the notes say 18th day, breakfast consist
ed OF the last half pound Of dog meat and
tea The last grain of tea was put in the
Kettle, and we are now about to undertake
a Jurncy Of twenty five miles, with some old
tea leaves and two quarts Of alcohol. How
ever, | trust in God, and | believe that He
who has fed us this far will not suffer us to
die Of want now" The party left Il record
in the hut, which was found by Melville, rs
already reported. They got under way at
$50 a. m. andproceeded until leo by which
| time they had made about three miles, and
were all pretty we'll done up. They had
halt an ounce of alcohol in pot of tea for
dinner. Went ahead, and soon struck what
seemed to be the main river again.
Here four of the party broke through the
ice III trying to cross, and, fearing frost bite.
Il fire was built, Alcxy was sent off to look
for food, being directed not to 90 far nor
stay long. He came back at $50 with one
ptarmigan, of which soup was made, and.
with half an ounce of alcohol, made their
supper" Saturday, October Sth, the notes
say: Called all hands at $50. Breakfast
half ounce OF alcohol and pint of hot water.
Alcohol proves OF great advantage; keeps off
craving for food, preventing gnawng at
stomach, and has kept up the strength of
the men, who are given three ounces a day.
Went ahead until 1870, and after five miles
struck big river again; have to turn back.
Halt at 3; only made advance Of one mile
Hard luck. Snow; S. S. E. wind. Cold
camp; but little wood, and half ounce of
alcohol"
Sunday, 9th. 'All hands at 43O. Half
ounce alcohol. Read divine services. Sent
Nlnderman and NoroS ahead for relief. They
started at o'clock; cheered them. Under
way at 8. Crossed creek: broke through
ice. All wet up to knees; dried clothing,
: and under way again at 1870. At struck
river bank. Halt for dinner-half ounce al
cohol. Alexy shot three ptarmigans. Made
soup. We are following Ninderman's track
although he is long since out of sight; ice
moving rapidly in river to northward; halt
at 4:4O on coming to wood; found canoe: lay
our heads in it and go to Sleep Monday,
October lOth-"Last half ounce alcohol at
$50; at 6:3O sent Alexy off to look for ptar-
migan; eat deerskin scraps; yesterday morn
ing ate my deerskin foot tips; under way at
5. In crossing creek three got wet: built fire
and dried out; ahead again till H. used up;
built fire and made drink ont of the ten
leaves and from the alcohol bottle; ON again
at noon; very hard going; ptarmigan tracks
plentiful; at 3 halted, used up; crawled into
Il hole in the bank; Alexy in quest of game;
nothing for supper except a spoonful Of gly-
cerine; all hands weak and feeble, but cheer
full. God help u.s."
Tuesday, Southwest gales. with
snow unable to move; game ;one spoon
full glycerine and hot water for food no
more wood in our vicinity" Wednesday,