Daily Republican., 1884-08-15
EDITION,


WAaunsoroM, Angus lathe fol.
lowing II Lieutsnsnt 0rsely's ol6cial
report OF the execution Of Private Hon
n 1t Camp Clay, near Caps Sabine
PoRrsMOurH, N. H. August II, 1854.
Adjutant General U. 3. Army
(through Chief Signal Oficer U. 8.
SIR 1 have tho honor to report
that on June6, 1884, 1T Camp Clay, near
Cane Sabine. orinnell Land, ft becAne
necessary for me to order the military
execution Of Private Charles b. Henry,
Fifth Cavalry for Continued thieving.
The order was givssf ia writing On
my undivided responsibility, being
deemed Absolutsly essential fG the
safety OF the surviving members OF the
expedition. Ten had already died OF
stsrvation, and two more lay a. che
point of death. The facts inducing 10 y
Provisions had been stolen In E0vem-
Der, 1888, and Aenry's complicity
therein was NOSE than suspected,
March "a. 1884, the party nearly perish-
cd from ssphyxiA. While several men
were unconscious and efforts were
being made for their restoration, Pri-
vAte Henry stole about two pounds Of
bacon from the mess stores. He was
not only seen by Eskimo Jens Edwards
but his stomach being overloaded he
threw up the undigested bacon.
An open investigation was held, and
every member of the party declared
him guilty Of this and other thefts. A
clAmor for his life WAS raised, but WAS
repressed by me. put him under
surveillance until our waning strength
rendered his physical services indispen-
sable. Later he WAS found one day in
having stolen the liquor on
hand for general issue.
A second time his life. was dem apded,
but again spared him. On June 5tb,
thefts OF provisions on his part having
been reported to me, l had u converse
ton with him in which l appealed to
his practical sense, pointing out that
union Was necessary to our preserva-
ton. He promised entire reform alton,
but, distressing him, issued written
order that he should be shot IL de-
iected stealing. On June 6, he not only
stole part OF the shrimps tor our break
last. but visiting. unauthorized, our
winter camp, stole certain sealskins re.
'erved for food.
1 then ordered him shot On his per-
ION was found silver chronograph
abandoned by me at Fort Conger an d
'tolen by him. In his bag was found
! large quantity Of sealskiN and pair |
Il sealskin boots stolen few days be- |
ore from the hunter. Suspecting com.
,licity on the part of several, ordered |
lis execution by three Of the most reli. |
lble men. After his death the order
vas read 70 the entire party, and was
'oncurred In by every member as being |
lot only Just, but as essential to our
afety. TO avoid public scandal / or
Tered that no man should speak of this
natter until an official report was made
4 the facts.
curt of inquiry be ordered or court
n artial convened, should the Ho nora.
lie Secretay of War deem either advisa. |
lie in the case. / have thought it best |
lot to ask the written statements of the
urviving members Of the party for ap-
to this report, lest l might |
eem to be tsmpering with them. III
ave not asked since our rescue, June
z, whether opinions concurring In my
ction have changed or not, leaving
uch questions 10 your action II deemed
equisite. ! necessarily regret that cir
imposed such terrible re-
upon me, but am consci-
'us that should have failed In my duty
O the rest of my party had 1 not acted
promptly and summarily.
am, respectfully yours,
A.W. GREELY
First Lieutenant Fifth Cavalry, A. s. o.
and assistant commander Of L. Il. b.
expedition