New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-11-01

than week would have permitted not only the establish
ment Of the station nat would nave ru' ,aG
for. Lieutenant Darlington says "As It turned o1t
in Melville Bay and had uninterrupted passage to Lit
tleton Island" Lieutenant Garlngtons sngiarly unfo-
tInae errors Judgment as TO his safety in going in
one direction and TO the Yantic's danger Ia coming
from the opposite direction, were each productive OF GUS
aster.
POINT DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND.
1t appears to me that Lieutenant CARING
toms supplemental report only tends to make
an understanding of his failure TO remain at or near
Lttleoa Island after the loss OF the Proteus more diff
cult than before II he had hope OF the lantc coming
north, not from lack OF enterprise in Its com
mander, but on account OF the assumed unftness
Of the ship for such a voyage, and the orders by
which IL was controlled. how Is it that he expected
carry the plan outlined in his supplemental report
s yan ne S soon as osbe to do so TO get from her
all the supplies that could DC spared ana establish or
he thought that the Yantic would accomplish
more under his guidance than before, and would
come north Itieton Island Life Boat Cove to land
supplies If it, orders condition such as 10 pre-
ant Darlington could reasonably expect to large
expanse Arctic in small boats and return in them
necessarily in late with supplies and shelter Tor
a winter station at Life Boat Cove.
Upon due consideration have thought II proper 70
submit the case TO the President with my recommc n 9
ton that he direct the appointment of Court 81 inquiry
particular reference 10 the orders ana mstruVuo'S
therefor. AMI for the conduct OF the expeun0n
aud III arrangements made for assistance from the
United States steamer Yantic and also the genera yo
OF the Proens to keep in company WITH the Yantc up TO
LIttloton Island or it, neighDoiho3d ana Tue iS
TO establish a well provided relief station at or
near Lttlctm island and with directions
to report Their hHalngs o S Of the Army in
the premises ca for further proceedings DeIoIe court
martial and the for the conclusions wnieh they
lie President thereupon directed that Court of
Inquiry be appointed a recommended ana the necessary
orders viii be at once issued.
COURT OF INQUIRY ORDERED.
The following special order was issued by the
War Department to-day:
BY direction OF the President OF the United States
cour of inquiry is hereby appointed TO ingesgae the
organization and fitting ont the Greedy Relief Expedition
party transported by the steamer Proteus having par
cnar reference the orders and instructions issued for
the guidance and goyernaDce thereof aud the arrange
made for assistance from the United states steamer
Yantic The will make full and thorough invest
cation OF all matters relating TO the general conduct OF the
expedition including particularly the failure of the Proous
to keep in company with the Yantic up TO httleton
Island neghbourhood and the failure to establish
welproyded relief station at Lteton Island;
and will take into consideration in their investigation
such records and correspondence pertaining TO the orig
na Grccy expedition they nay deem necessary and
will report the facts developed by their investigation and
their opinion as 10 whether Inc conuuc NJ any OHcef OF
Army in the premises calls FOR further proceedings
before general court martial and the reasons for the
conclusions which they may reach
Detail for the court Brgadier- 5. v Benot,
Chief OF Orlnance Colonel Il. B. Ayres, I'd Artillery;
Lieutenant Colonel o. NJ. Poe Corps of Engineers. Major
Eenry Goodfeow. Judge Advocate United states Army
Will act recorder OF the court The court Will meet In
the City Of washingt Cd November 8. 1883.
Ii is understood that the Navy Department will
not take any further action in the case of Commo-
dore Wdes, commanding the Yantic, for the part
taken by him in the late expedition, unless it shall
be deemed expedent as the result Of testimony
court of inquiry appointed by the Secretary of
War.
TIE OFFICERS OF THE COURT.
Probably four officers could not have been found
in the army better fitted to conduct tho Proteus
inquiry than the officers named in the foregoing
order Brigadier-General Benet president of the
court holds the same rank the Chief Signal
Officer and is the head of a staff department,
that of ordnance. He is the author of a
standard work ON military law and courts
martial, and is. therefore. peculiarly qualified
TO preside over Court of Inquiry. which. in this
case. may lay the foundation for a court martial.
The second member OF the court, Colonel r. b.
Ayres. I'd Artillery, is soldier of long experience,
and during the war be was a BTigadior and BTevet
Major-Gencral of Volunteers. He is man of sound
judgment and thoroughly understands the require
ments of an officers duty. Leutenant-C Colonel O.
NJ Poe, Of the Engineers, is the third
member of the court. He was graduated
with high honors from the Military
Academy, and appointed Lieutenant of Engineers
i'll SjG In 1861 be promoted to the Colonelcy |
of the I'd Michigan Infantry, aud was appointed /
Brigadier-General III SO2. He has a high Teputa-
ton as an officer of keen intelligence aud superior
judgment.
The selection of Major Henry Goodfellow as Re- |
cOrder OF the court seems also 10 be particularly
good ONE lie rs not only an excellent judge-adyO-
cate, but before he entered the Army as |
captain in a Pennsylvania regiment at the !
outbreak of the war he spent more than two years
in the Arctic regions member OF the second |
Grnncll expedition under DR.. Kane He therefore |
passed two winters north of LittletOn island and |
was one of DR.. kane's companions in the celebrated
retreat to Upenavik which consumed nearly |
three months of time. His personal knowledge of |
the climate, geography, means of subsistence, etc.
OF the region which was the of the operations
70 be investigated, will be almost invaluable; and
his questions will be intelligenty directed TO !
bring out clearly all the facts bearing upon the sub
ject of he inquiry.
THE COMMAND OF THE ARMY