The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1884-10-23
THE CAMP AT CAPE SABINE.
Commodore Schley's Description OF
Tho RnkauA of GraaIN


Commodore schley has submitted to tho
Secretary OF the Navy his report OF his expedI-
ton for the relief Of the Greedy party. He do.
scribes at length his voyage northward and the
circumstances Of the discovery OF Greedy and
bis companions. In preparing the bodies of
the dead for transportation In alcohol to st.
Johns It was found that six OF them-Lieuten-
ant Kielingbury, Sergeants Jewell and Raloton,
Privates Whieler, Henry and Ellis, had been
cut and the 1eshy parts removed to greater
or lees extent. All other bodies were found IN
tact. When the bodies OF the dead wore ex-
poeed In preparing them the Identification was
found TO be complete. Some OF them could be
recognized by aid of pictures
Tho cost OF the relief expedition, including
the purchase Of the shlpe, will be about $780,
Commodore schley highly commends Com.
mander Conin, or Lieutenant Emory he says:
Lieutenant W. II. Emory, commanding the
Bear, was under my immediate observation
during most OF tho cruise. II affords mo the
greatest pleasure to testify TO the promptness,
energy and skillfulness OF this meritorious
onlcer. His coolness and good judgment wore
valuable TO me. On no occasion was II necessary
10 either prompt or order him ID discharge
duty. He was always on watch, with the Keen
est appreciation OF the situation In antlcipat-
ing oil my wishes. l would commend him
specially 10 the Department as an orlcer OF
high professional merit and competency, and
would frankly state that much OF the success
Of tho expedition Is due to him and his ably
ofllcered ship"
Commodore schlcy describes as follows the
impressive scene inside Greely's tent: "Lieu-
tenant Greedy was found in his sleeping bag,
his body inclined forward, and head resting
upon his left hand. The book OF Common
Prayer was open and held In his right hand
Hc was physically the weakest, but mentally
tho most vigorous OF his party. He had lain
In his sleeping-bag for weeks on account OF his
gradually falling strength. He was unable to
stand alone for any length OF time, and was
almost helpless, except in q sitting posture;
all pangs OF hunger had ceased; his appear
ance was wild; his hair was long and I'M
kempt; his face and hands were covered with
sooty, black dirt; his body was scantily COW
cred with WORKOUT clothes; his form was
wasted; his Joints wore swollen, and his eyes
were sunken.
The condition OF his camp W "a in keeping
with the ecene inside the tent-deB perate and
desolate; tho bleak baroness of the spot over
which the wild Arctic bird would not fly; the
row OF graves on a little ridge 100 feet away,
with the protruding heads and feet OF those
lately buried, sad but silent witness to the
daily-increasfng weakness OF tho little band
OF survivors; the deserted winter quarters ia
the hollow below, with It's broken wall invaded
by the water from the melting snow and leo
the wretched apology for cooking stretched on
the ico-foot that remained; utensils impro-
vised by them In their sore distress, hardly de-
serving the name; the scattered and wornout
clothes and sleeping-bags OF the dead: the
absence OF all food, save q few cupsful OF
boiled leealskin scrap; the wild and weird
scene OF snow, ice and glaciers overlooking
and overhanging tho desolate camp completed
picture as startling ms II was impressive. l
hope never again in my life to look upon such
Wretchednees and such restitution.