Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1884-08-15
Grand Reception to Greedy at Newbuy
port, the Home Of His Childhood.


WAsHryoroS, Aug. l.-The follow
ing is Lieut.. Greely's official re-
port upon the execution OF Private
Henry:
PORTSMOUTH. ", IL. Aug II.
To the Adj uiant-Ganera OF the u. s. Army.
Through the Chief signal Omar OF the
u. b. Army:
SfR-1 have the honor 10 report that
on June Q. 1884, at Camp Clay, near
Cape Sabine, Grihnell Land, itbecsme
necessary for me TO order the military
execution OF Private Chas Is.
for continued thieving. The order
was given In writing on my undivided
responsibility, 1t being deemed all
s0lutely essential for the safety OF the
surviving members OF the ex petition.
Ten of our members had already died
Of starvation, and two more lay ut the
point Of death. The facts inducing ps
action were az follows: Provisions bad
been stolen In November Of 1888, and
Henry's completely therein was
more than su-picIoned. On March
q, 1884 our party nearly persisted from
asphyxia. While several men were
unconscious and efforts were being
made for their restoration, Private
Henry stole about two pounds OF bacon
from the mess stores. He was not
only seen by Esquimaux Edwards
but his stomach being overloaded be
threw up undigested bacon. An open
investigation was held and every MEM
Der Of the party declared him guilty Of
this and other thefts.. a ciainor for
his life was raised, but was re-
pressed by me. / put him
under surveillance until our waning
strength rendered his physical SER
vices indispensable. Later he WAS
found one day intoxicated, having
stolen the liquor on hand for general
issue. A second time his life was de-
manded, but again spared him. GA
June 8, a theft of provisions on his
part having been reported TO me bad
q conversation with him, in which
j appealed to his practical sense,
pointing out that 1t WAS necessary
TO our preservation. He promised an
entire reformation, but distrusting
him, Issued "A written order that he
should be shot If Diet, cted stealing. On
June8 he not only stole part OF the
Bhrimps for our breab fast, hut visiting,
unauthorized, our winter camp he
stole certain sealskin reserved for
food. then ordered him shot. On his
person was found u silver chronogIaph
abandoned by me at Fort Conger aud
stolen by him. In his bag was found u
quantity of Bealskin and "A pair OF seal
skin boots stolen II few days before
from Hunter. Suspecting completely
on the part OF several / ordered his
execution by three Of the most reliable
men. After his death order was read
to the entire party and concurred In
by every member as being not only
Just but essential To our safety, IN
avoid public scandal ordered that no
man should speak Of this matter until
mn official report was made of the fact.
j have the honor to request that a
court OF inquiry be ordered, or
cour,-martlal convened, should the
honorable secretary of war deem,
either advisable. In this case | have
thought II best not to ask written
statements Of the surviving members OF
the party for appendices to this report
iest l might seem tobe tamnerlng with
them, i have not asked zince our res-
rue oil June % whether their opinions
concurring In my action have changed
or not, leaving such questions TO your
action II deemed requisite, i naturally
regret that the circu instances Imposed
such u terrible responsibility upon me
but 7 am conscious that should hav,
failed In my duty To the rest of my
party had | not acted promptly an,
summarily.
ISigned,1 r A. W. GRERIY,
Flint lieutenant Fifth cavalry, u. 5
A., aud assistant commander Of H. L
Is. expedition.