New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-06-27
PRICE FOUR CENTS.
DE LONGS PITIFUL STORY.
NOTES Of THE CLOSING JOURNEY.

| DEATH.
| WASHINGTON, June 26.-The Navy Department
is in receipt of advices from Engineer George W.
Melville dated Lena Delta, March 25, 1882, in
which be gives detailed account of hrs operations
| up to that date and full particulars Of the finding
of the remains of De Long and his comrades. Hs
also forwards a copy of the log-book of Lieutenant
| De Long Engineer Melville states that after
| eral unsuccessful attempts to follow De Longs
track from the northward, he tried retracing Mn
derman's track from the sOuthward. On point or
land at the junction Of the Lena branches forming
one Of the banks Of one of the rivers, he found
where large fire had been made, and Ninderman
recognized it as the river down which he came. lie
turned the point to go north and about 100 yards
from the point four poles lashed together were
seen projecting two feet out of the snov-drit un-
der the bank closer examination showed tho
muzzle of a Remington rifle standing eight inches
out Of the snow and the gun-Straps hitchcd over
the poles. The natives were set to work digging
out tho bank, and Melville and Nindeman
searched the bank on the high ground. About
five hundred yards south Melville found camp
kettle in the snow and close by three bodies par
tally buried in tho snow. They proved 10 be
Lieutenant De Long, Dr. Amblerand All Sam cook.
De Longs notebook was found beside him. Under
the poles were found the books. records ETC., and
two bodies The rest of the crew lay between tho
place where De Long found and the wreck OF
a fiat boat about five hundred yards distant. The
snow bank which had base of thirty feet and a
height of twenty feet, with a natural slope, would
have to he dug out. There evidence of the land
where the bodies were found having been flooded
during some part Of the year, and Melville states his
intention of burying the remains in n more secure
place, and of prosecuting the search for Chipp's
party as soon as the weather would permit.
The notes made by De Long were begun on Satur-
dag October l. 1881 and tho first entry is: lllth
day and new month. Called all hands rs soon as
the cook announced boiling water, and at Gao had
our brc kfast-Ealf pound of deer meat and tea.
The doctor resumed the cutting away OF poor Erlck
sons toes this morning No doubt il viii have to
continue till half his feet are gone or death ensues
or we get to n settlement. Only one toe left now."
The notebook also gives an account OK
each days experience from that date onward, but
toward the last the notes became very short.
Under date of Monday, October 3, DE Long writes
that his party thought they hut, but upon
reaching the spot found only mound. camp
was made in a hole in the 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 q stew made of such parts could not
be cured. All partook Of the stew except De Long
and the doctor. Alexy sent Oft to examine
what they thought hut, and came back a
night with favorable report 1t was decided to
wait till morning before leaving. itwas then be-
low zero A watch was set to keep the fire going,
and all huddled around 1t, aud thus tho
third night without sleep was passed. IL
Alexy had not wrapped his sealslun around Dc
Long and kept him warm by the heat of his body,
he de Long thinks he would have perished. AS it
was he steamed and shivered and shook. In tho
| morning Erickson was unconscious and had TO DO
laShed to the sled. AT a. m. the party reached
hut large enough TO hold thcm aud for the first
time since Saturday they managed to get warm.
Erickson was very low, and prayers read for
him before tho others sought rest At 10 a. m. all
except Alexy lay down to sleep Aexy went off to
hunt and at noon returned wet. having fallen into
the river At p. m. they reused up and had q
pound of dog meat for each person and a cup of tea,
the days allowance but they were SO grateful that
they were not exposed to the terrible gale which
was raging at the time. that they did not mind
short ratiOns.
On Wednesday tea and dog meat for breakfast.
Alexy again went off hunting and came back with
nothing. On Thursday had a 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. Aexy 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 possible set
tlement." They could not dig grave for Erickson,
as the ground was frozen too hard and they had
nothing TO dig with; SO they sewed his body up III
the flaps of tie tent, covered him with their dag
and buried him in the river Three volleys from
their Remngtons fired over him.
Under date of October the notes say "117th
day. Breakfast consisted of the last haf-pound Of
dog meat and tea. The last grain OF tea put in
the kettle. and We are now about 70 undertake
Journey Oftweny five miles. with oil tea leaves
and two quarts of alcohol. However 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 a record III the hut, which was found
BY Melville as already reported They got under
way at $50 A. and proceeded until 1120. by
which time they had made about three miles and
were all pretty well done up. They had half an
ounce of alcohol in a pot Of tea for dinner; went
ahead and soon struck what seemed 20 be the
river again. Here four of the party broke through
the ice IN trying TO cross, and fearing irost-bto q
fire was built. AieXy was sent OF 10 look for food,
being directed not to go far nor stay long. lie came
back at $50 wiCh ono ptarmlgan, OF which soup
was made, and which with haif on ounce OF alcohol
made their supper.
Saturday. October S. the notes say Called all
hands at $50; brcgkfasthalf ounce of alcohol and
i pint of hot water Alcohol proves OF great adyan-
tage; keeps oil cravings Tor food. preventing qnaw-
ing stomach and has kept up the strength OF tho
men, vino gwen thee ounces day. Went
ahcdd untl IOoO, ana Il Ter hNc mice STRUCK DIG
river again have to turn back halt at 8; only
made advance of one mile. Hard luck. Snow, s. s.
Z. wind. Cold camp. But little wood and half
ounce OF alcohol"
sunday, 9th: An hands at 4:3O. One-half
ounce alcohol Read divine service. sent NInder-
man and NOraS ahead Tor relief. They started at z.
Chcered them Under way at y; crossed creek.
broke through ice, all wet mp TO knees, dried cloth
ing and unGsr way again at 1890. Az | struck
river BANK Halt for dlnner-hau ounce alcohol.
Alexy shot three p;armgans. Made soup,
We are following Nnderman's track. al hOugh he Is
long out of sisht. Ice moving rapidly IN river
to nor. Inward. Halt at $40 On coming 20 wood
Found canoe. Lay our heads ia 1t aud go to
Sleep"
Monday, Oct. 10: " Last halt ounce alcohol az