Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-06-26
LIEUT.. DE LONGS LAST HOURS.
A Terrible Record of Suffering.
EXTRACTS FROM HIS NOTE BOOK SENT BY ENGINEEl
MELVILLE.

The Secretary Of the Navy has received report
from Engineer Melville, dated at Lena delta
March 25th, 1882, in which he gives detailed
account Of his finding the bodies of De Long and
his comrades (about the same as heretofore re.
ceived by cable and published in THE STAR, and
encloses copy OF the log book OF Lieut.. De Long.
De Longs note book was found beside him, and a
copy of it is enclosed dating from October 1st till
the end.
THE NOTES MADE BY LIEUT.. DE LONG
were begun on Saturday, October /, 1881. The first
entry is "111th day and a new month. Called all
hands as soon as the cook announced boiling wa
ter, and at GAS had our breakfast-K pound of
deer meat and tea. The doctor resumed the cut
ting away of poor Erichson's toes this morning.
No doubt it viii have to continue until half his
tlement Only one toe left DOW" Lieut.. De Long
leaves an account OF each days experience from
that day onward, but toward the last his notes
are very short
BURNING AND FREEZING.
On Monday, october Sd, they thought they saw
hut. but upon reaching the spot found only q
mound. camp was made In a hole in the blum.
A roaring fire was soon drying tand burning) their
clotheS While the cold wind ate into their back.
NOTHING TO EAT BUT THE DOG.
Nothing left to eat but the dog, which was killed
and dressed, and a stew made OF such parts as
could not be cured. All partoOk of it except De
Long and the doctor. Alexy was sent OF to ex-
anime what they thought was hut, and came
back at night with a favorable report. 1t was
decided to wait until morning. 1t must have been
BELOW ZERO.
watch was set to keep the fire going, and all
huddled around it, and thus the third night, with
out sleep, was passed. II Alexy had not wrapped
his seal-skin around De Long and kept him warm
would have perished. AS it was, he steamed, and
shivered, and shook. In the morning Erickson
At am. they reached hut large enough to hold
all, and for the first time since Saturday they got
warm.
ERICKSON WAS VERY LOW,
and prayers were read for the sick person before
the others sought rest At 10 a. m. all except
and at noon returned wet, having broken through
the ice and fallen into the river. At p. m. they
reused up, and had half pound OF dog meat for
they were SO grateful that they were not exposed
to the terrible gale which was raging that they
a mot ma short a on
went of hunting, and came back, having seen
| nothing: On Thursday had a cup OF third-hand
sent out to hunt.
ERICKsoN's DEATH
At S:45 Erickson departed this life. Alexy came
back empty handed. "What in Gods name is
going to become OF us, IA lbs Of dog meat
left, and IS miles to possible settlement" Could
| SO frozen, and nothing to dig with Sewed him up
in the flaps OF the tent, covered him with the lag
and buried him in the river. Three volleys from
their RemingtonS were fired over him.
TRUST IN GOD.
Friday, october 6th-117th day-breakfast con-
sstng 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 Is miles
hol. However, trust in Goa, and believe that
He who has fed us this far will not suffer us to
was u found W be 're
Got under way by $3.50 and proceeded until II 40
by which time had made about miles-all pretty
| for dinper. Went ahead and soon struck W hal
| seemed to be the main river again.
| BROKE THROUGH THE ICE.
| Here four broke through the ice In trying to
cross, and fearing frost bite. fire was built
Alexy was sent of to look for food, being directed
not to go far or stay long. He came back at $50
with one Ptarmigan OF which soup was made and
with half of ounce OF alcohol had supper, and then
Saturday, october 8-"Called all hands at 80:
breakfast, half ounce OF alcohol and pint OF hot
water Alcohol oh proves Of great advantage Keeps
| ach, and has kept up the strength OF the men as
given, three ounces per day, IN accordance with
1880; ounce alcohol; $50 to 1850; five miles;
struck big river, II 30, ahead again; had to turn
| luck; snow; E.S.E wind. Cold camp; but little
wood; half ounce alcohol"
SAD SUNDAY.
Sunday, 0th-"An hands at 4:30, one-half ounce
alcohol Read Divine service. Sent Ninderma n
! and Noros ahead for relief. They started at 2.
Cheered them. Underway at g.; crossed creek: :
broke through ice: all wet up to knees. Dried
clothes. and underway again at 10:30. At struck
river bank. Halt for dinner-K or alcohol
Alexy shot ptarmigan. Made soup. We are fol
lowing NindermanS track, although he Is long
since out OF sight Ice moving rapidly In river to
Nd. Halt at 4:40 on coming to wood. Find canoe
lay our heads In it, and go to sleep. x or alcohol
So ger"
/ ssUsED up" GOD HELP Usn
Monday, Oct 10-Last half ounce alcohol at 80
At $50 sent Alexy on to look for ptarmigan. Eat
deer skin scraps Yesterday morning ate my deer
skin foot tips Under way at 8. In crossing creek
there got wet Built fire and dried out Ahead again
until II. Used up. Built nre and made q drink
out OF the tea leaves from alcohol bottle On again
at no0n Very hard journey. Ptarmigan tracks
plentiful. At s halted, used up. CraWled into n
hole In the bank. Alexy IN quest OF game. Moth
Ing Tor supper except spoonful OF g1ycerne. All
hands weak and feeble but cheerful "God hell,
u.s.
EvKRYB0DY GETTING WRAKRR.
Tuesday, l1th-S ". gale with snow. Unable to
move. No game. One spoonful OF elycerine and
hot water for food. No more wood In our vicinity
Wednesday, 18th Breakfast, last spoonful at
ylyceyjne and hot water. Eur dinner, couple OF
sha1ldefuil Qf aTctac wi1loW IN not of Weter and
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