Morris tribune., 1882-07-06
THE DIARY OF DE LONG.
C6pious Memoranda Left by the Late In
trepid Commander Of tho
Jeanette.
Pathatic Narrative of. Hardships Endured
and the Gradual Approach Of
Death.
Do Longs Last Notes.

anu Gn6 Gtduual Approach OI
Death.
Do Longs Last Notes
WASHINGTON, June 26-The navy depart
ment is in receipt of report from Engineer
Melville giving the entire story of his search
for De Long and party, and the discovery Of
their dead bodies. The following extracts are
from De Longs note book: Under date Of
Monday, March 8, De Long writes that his
party thought they saw hut, but upon reach
ing the spot found only mound. Camp was
made in hole in bluff and roaring fire was
soon drying and burning their clothes while
the cold wind ate into their backs. Nothing
was left to eat 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. Ale1y was
sent of to examine what they thought was
hut and came back at night with favorable
report 1t was decided to wait till morn
ing before leaving. 1t was below zero. A
watch was set to keep the fire going and all
huddled around it, and thus third night
without sleep was passed. If Alexy had not
wrapped his sealskin around DeLopg and
kept him warm by heating his body DeLong
thinks he would have perishel; as it was he
steamed and shivered and shook. At q. m
the party reached hut large enough to hold
them and for the first time since Saturday
they managed to get warm Erickson was
very low and prayers were offered before the
others sought rest All except Alexy laid
down to sleep; Alexy went off to hunt and at
nocn returned wet, having fallen into the
river. At 6 p. m. they reused up and had q
pound Of dry meat for each person and cup
Of tea-the days allowance-but they were so
grateful they were not
EXPOSED TO THE TERRIBLE GALE
which was raging at the time they did not mind
short rations. On Wednesday they had tea
and dog meat for breakfast = Alexy again
went of hunting and came back with nothing
On Thursday they had cup Of third hand tea
with half an ounce of alcohol in it Ale1y was
again sent out to hunt, and Erickson died while
he was gone. Alexy returned empty handed.
The notes at this point say: "What in Gods
name is going to become of us? Fourteen
pounds of dog meat left and twenty-five miles
to a possible settlement" They could not dig
q grave for Erickson, as the ground was
frozen too hard and they had nothing to
dig with, Sd they sewed his body up in the flaps
of tent covered him with their flags and
burisd him in the river. Three volleys from
their Remingtons were fired over him. Under
date of the 9Th the notes say:
"One hundred and seventeenth day-Breakfast
consisted 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 journey of twenty
five miles with some old tea leaves and two quarts
Of alcohol However trust in God and believe
that he who has fed US thus far will not suffer us to
die of want now
The party left the record in hut which was
found by Melville, as already reported. They
ryNkrH rHr,1n 90
until 11:2O, by which time they had made
about three miles, and were all pretty well
done up. They had half an ounce of alcohol
in pot of tea for dinner, and went ahead, and
soon struck what seemed to be the main river
again. Here four of the party broke through
bites fre was built Alexy was sent of to
look for food, being directed not to 60 far nor
stay long. He came back at $50 with one
ptarmigan, of which a soup was made, and
with an ounce of alcohol that made their sup
pei Saturday, October 8. the notes say:
A MELANCHOLY RECORD.
Called all hands at $50. Breakfast, half an
ounce Of alcohol and q pint of hot water The
cravings for food. preventing the gnawine Of the
stomach. and has kept up the strength of the men,
who are given three ounces day. Went ahead
river again. Only made an advance Of one mile
cold camp, but little wood. and half an ounce of
alcohol.
Sunday, 9th. All hands at 4:3O. Half an ouncs
of alcohol Read divine service. Sent Ninderman
and Noros ahead for relief. They Started at y
Gheered them under way: Ats crossed the creek
ine and undercIothina again at 1O.30 '.1'n AZ
struck a higher hank. Halt for dinner
Fan an .ounos Of alcohol: Aie1y Nrls!t shot
are following Nin6erman's track. altbonah no ;s
long since out of sight Found canoe and Law oIs Is
heads in it to 60 to sleep.
Monday, October 10; the last half ounce of alco-
hol drank at $50. At $50 sent Alexy off to look
for ptarmigans. Ate deer skin scraps. Yesterday
morning ate my deer skin foot tips. Under way at
g. In crossing a creek three got wet Built a fire
ana dried out Ahead again IN used up: built
q = nre ana mace orink OUT OF Yea leaves and from
tne alcc9ol oottle. On again az noon: very hard
4oalg end cas~1ed nia tackS S At halted
guest Of game. Nothing for supper except spoon
tpi OF gycer,ne. All hands weak and feeble. but
cneerIuL Goo nep us .,
~ iuesoay, Ia gaze witn snow: unable to move.
for food No more wood in our vicinity.
Wednesday, l2th.-Breakfast; last spoonful of
full Of Arctic willow in pot of water and drinking
the INFUSION: everybody getting weaker and
weaker ana nafaiy aoie 70 get nfewood. Gale with
Thursday. th.-Wiow tea. No news from
zimmerman; we are IN tne nanos OF dod. and un-
iess ne ~. aeiensS S ge are lost we cannot move
tion Afternoon went ahead for mile. After
crossing anotner river or bend OF the big river
missed Lee; went gown IN mole IN the bank and
camped. sent pacS for Lee. He had laid down
Lords prayer ana cried After supper a sfro5S
gale of wind. A - 80
HORRIBLE NIGHT
Friday-Breakfast, willow tea. Dinner, half
teaspoonful of sweet oil and willow tea. Alexy
shot one ptarmigan. Had soup. Wind moder.
ating.
Saturday. October 15.-Beeakfast, willow tea and
two old boots. Conclude to move at sunrise.
Alexy breaks down; also Lee. Come to an emnty
W.