The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1882-07-05
DeL0NG'S DIARY.
A Letter from Lieut. Melville
Enclosing Belongs Note
Book.
The Record of Suffering which
the Jeanette Survivors
Endured.
Melville's Plans of Search for
Chipp and His Companions.

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WASHINGTON, June 26.-Th
Navy Department is in receipt of
report from Engineer Melville
giving in detail the story of hi
search for DeLong and party, an
the discovery Of their dead bodies
The following extracts are from De
Longs note book: Under date O
Monday, Oct. 3, DeLong writes tha
his party thought they saw hut
but upon reaching the spot founC
only a mound. A camp was mad,
in hole in a bluff, and roaring
fire was soon drying and burning
their clothes, while cold wind att
into their backs. Nothing was lef
to eat but the dog, which was killed
dressed and a stew made of sucf
parts as could not be cured. AL
partook of the stew except DeLone
and the Doctor. Alexy was sent of
to examine what they thought was
hut, and came back at night with
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 huddled around it, and thus the
third night without sleep was
passed. If Alexy had not wrapped
his seal skin arond DeLong and
kept him warm by the heat of his
body, he (DeLong) thinks he would
have perished, as he was steamed,
and shivered and shook. At 8
o'clock, the party reached the hut.
1t was large enough to hold them,
and for the first time since Satur.
day, they managed to get warm.
Erickson was very low, and prayers
were read for him before the others
sought rest, AT 10 a. M, all ex-
cept Alexy laid down to sleep.
Alexy went off to hunt. At noon,
he returned wet having fallen into
river. AT 6 p. M, they reused up
and had pound of dog meat
for each person and a cup of tea,
the days allowance, but they were
so grateful that they were not ex-
posed to the terrible gale which was
raging at the time that they did not
mind the short rations. On Wednes-
day, they had tea and dog meat for
breakfast. Alexy again went off
hunting and came back with moth
ing. On Thursday, they had cup
of tea with half an ounce of alcohol
in it. Alexy again set out to hunt
and Erickson died while he was
gone. Alexy returned empty hand
ed.
The notes at this point say" What
in Gods name, is going to become
of us fourteen pounds Of dog meat
left to us and 25 miles to possible
They could not dig grave for
as the ground was frozen
too hard, and they had nothing to
dig with. So they sewed the body
in the laps of a tent, covered him
with their flag and buried him in
the river. Three volleys from their
Remington were fired over him.
Under date of October 6, the
notes say: The seventh days
consisted of the last half
pound of dog meat and tea. The
last grain of tea was put in the ket-
tie, and we are about to undertake
a journey of twenty five miles with
some old tea leaves and two quarts
of alcohol. However, trust in God,
and / believe He who has fed us this
far will not suffer us to die of want
now. The party left the record in
the hut, which was found by Mel
vile as already reported. They
got under way at 8:30p. M, and
proceeded until 11:30- a. M, by
which time they had made about
three miles. They were all pretty
we'll done up. They had half an
ounce of alcohol in the pot of tea
for dinner, and went ahead and
soon struck what seemed to be the
main river. Here four of the
party broke through the ice trying
to cross, and fearing frost bite, a
fire was built. Alexy was sent off
to look for food, being directed not
to go far nor stay long. He came
back at $50 p. M, with one ptas-
mlgan, of which soup was made,
and with half an ounce of alcohol
they had their supper.
Saturday, Oct. 8.-The notes say /:
eve called all hands at $50 a. m.
Our breakfast consisted of half an
ounce of alcohol and a pint of hot
water. Alcohol proves of great
advantages in keeping off the crav-
ings for food, preventing the gnaw-
ing of the stomach, and has kept up
the strength of the men who are
given three ounces day. We
went ahead until 1890 a. M, and
after three miles, struck the river
again and had to turn back, having
made only an advance of one mile.
1t was cold camp, and but little
wood and half an ounce of alcohol.
Sunday, Oct. 8. All hands were