The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1882-07-14
Belongs Diary.
THE TERRIBLE STORY OF THE STRUGGLE
FOR LIFE WHICH IT TELLS.

THE TERRIBLE STORY OF THE STRUGGLE
FOR LIFE WHICH IT TELLS.
The Navy Department is in receipt
of advices from Engineer Melville,
dated Lena Delta, March 26, in which
he gives a detailed account of his ope-
rations up to that date and full partic-
ulars of the finding of the remains of
De Long and his comrades. This story
has already been told. But Engineer
Melville also forwards copy of
note book found by De Longs body,
which tells the story of the struggle
for life which the men had. The notes.
were begun on October 1881, and
were continued to October So
Towards the last the notes were brief.
The first entry tells of the amputation
of Erickson's toes. On the 3rd of Oc-
tober nothing was left to eat but their
dog, which was killed and dressed and
a stew made of such parts as could not
be cured. All partook of the stew
except De Long and the doctor. They
sat around fire all that night, but had
it not been for Alexy's sealskin, De-
Long writes that he thinks he should
have died from the cold. .a.I tg
The next morning Erickson was un-
conscious and had to be lashed to a
sled. At eight o'clock the party reach,
cd hut large enough to hold them
all, 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 ten all except Alexy
lay down to sleep. Alexy went off to
hunt, and at noon returned wet, having
fallen into the river. AT six they
reused up and had a pound OF dog
meat for each person and 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. The next day, Wednesday,.
tea and dog meat were eaten and on
Thursday Alexy was sent out TO hunt
and Erickson died while he was gone.
Alexy returned empty-hapded, The
notes at this point say: "What, IN
Gods name, is going to become of us?
Fourteen pounds of dog neat left and
twenty five miles to possible settle
ment.
Under date of October 6 the notes
say: 'll7th 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, I trust in
God, and | believe that He who has
fed US thus far will not suffer us to die
of want now" They got under way
at $50 a m. and proceeded until 20,
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 pct of tea for dinner.
| Went ahead and soon struck what
seemed to be the main! river again.
lIele four of the party broke through
the ice in trying to cross, and fearing
frost bite fire was built. Alexy shot
one ptarmigan and there was soup foI
supper On Sunday, the 9th, Noros
and Ninderman We're sent ahead. The
party crossed "A creek, broke through
the ice and got wet. Dinner consisted
of half an ounce of alcohol, but three
ptarmigans afforded soup for supper
They found canoe and found partia
shelter for the night.
The entry for Monday, October 10,
is thus: "Last half alcohol at
5:39. AT $3.50 sent Alexy off to looh
for ptarmigan. Eat deer skin scraps
Yesterday morning ate my deer ski
foot tips. Under way at s. In cross
| ing creek three got wet, Built fire an,
dried out. Ahead again till II, Use'
up, Built fire and made drink on
OF tea leaves and from the alcohol bot
tie. On again at noon. Very har'
going, Ptarmgan tracks plentiful
AT 3 halted Used up. Crawled int
hole in the bank. Alexy in quest O
game. Nothing for supper except
spoonful of glycerire All hands wea
and feeble, but che erfuf. God hel
us.
Tuesday, lis. w, gale, wit
snow. Unable to move. No gam,
One spoonful Of glycerine and he
water for food, No more wood in on
vicinity
"Wednesday, l2th,-Breakfast, la'
spoonful of glycerine and hot waite
For dinner couple of handsful {
Arctic willow in pot of water an
drank the infusion. Everybody ge
ting weaker and weaker, Hardly alb
to get frewood. S, w. gale, wit
snow.
"Thursday, l3th-Willow tea. n
news from Ninderman, We are
the hands of God, and unless He r.
leuts we are lost. We cannot mo,
against the wind, and staying he
means starvation. Afternoon, wei
' ahead for mile. After crossiu
+ another river, or the bend of the bi
e river, missed Lee; Went down in
hole in the bank and camped, Se
. back for Lee, He had lain down al
0 was waiting to die. All united in sa
r ing Lords Prayer and Greed. Aft
:, supper strong gale of wind horrit
/, night
}, Breakfast on Friday consisted
n willow tea and one half spoonful
> sweet oil. On Saturday breakfast co
II sisted of willow tea and two old boo