The Bad Lands cow boy. [volume] (Little Missouri, Dakota [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-1886, 1884-08-21
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President arssly's ohaoial Report q the
Killing Of Private Henry. sSsy

The following is Lieut. Gresly's o1acial re-
port on the execution Of Private Henry:
n PORTSMOUTH, N. 81, Aug II. TO tho Adult
staMt General OF the United States Army,
Through tie Chief Signal o fficatYof. the Unitoi
States Army SIR: Il have the honor to report
ittiat on June 10, 1884, at Camp Clay, near Camp
Sabine, sGrinnell Land, it became necessary for
continued thieYings The order was gi9dt in
writing on my undivided responsibility, Icing
deemed absolutely Essential for the safety Of
the surviving members. Ten had already
died. starvation, and two lmora.la 1T the
been stolen in November, 1885, and Henry's
Apeoteed. On March n 1854 sssAA ;z tho party
nearly persisted from asphyxa. While sew
eral men were unconscious, and eifurtsWere
being made for their storation, Private Henry
stole about two pounds Of bacon from tho moss
stores. He was only seen by the Esquimaux,
John Edwards, but his stomach being oyer-
loaded he threw up the undigested bacon. An
open investigation was held and every MEM
Dor Of the party declared him guilty Of this and
other thefts. "A clamor for his life was raised,
but it was repressed by me. put him under
surveillance OF once, for our waning
strength rendered his physical services indis-
pensable. Later he was found one day lntoxi-
Gated II. 81 I; 5 ~ i 4 b *
KS 10 K HAVING STOLEN LIQUOR fGStEl "a n
on hand for general issue second time his
life was demanded, but again spared him:
On June 5 the thefts Of provisions on his part
was reported to me had conversation
with him in which, I appealed to his practical
sense, pointing out that il was necessary to
our preservation: he promised on entire
reformation, but, distrasting him, ] issued q
ed stealing. On June 6, he not only stole part
Of the shrimps for our breakfast, but visiting,
unauthorized our winter camp, stole certain
sealskins reserved for$ food = then ordered
him shot. On his person I found a silver
ger and stolen by him In his bag was found
% large quantity Of aealskin and pair Of seal
skin boots stolen few days before from the
hunter. Suspecting completely on the part
Of several, II s ordeped; his execution 4 BY
the most reliable men. After his death
the order was read to " the entire
as being not only jnst but essential to our safe
SSty. To avoid o public scandal I ordered that
no man should speak of this matter until official
report was made OF the facts 7 have to request
that q court Of inquiry be ordered or q court
martial convened should the honorable score
stary Of var deem either advisable, In this case
i have thought it best not TO ask written state
iments Of theBuryiying members forappendices
to this report, lestI might seem to DO tamper-
ing with them. 7 have not asked since the res.
cue June q, whether their opinions concurring
in my action have changed or not leaving such
questions to your action if deemed requisite I
naturally regret that circumstances imposed
such terrible respohs ibility on me, but il am
conscious that should have failed in my duty
TO the rest Of my party had ] not acted prompt.
ly and summarily x Ts
[Signed "a W. GREELY, i;
First Lieut. Fifth Cav, A s. O., and Asst Com.
\ of Il T. B. Expedition Il n 81 y s s E S3IIl