The Warner weekly sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1885, 1884-08-22

President Gree1y's oficiai Report Of the
killing Of Private Henry.

The following is Lieut.. Greely's official re-
mort on the execution of Private Henry,
PORTSMOUTH, N. H., Aug. Ito the Adju-
tapt General of the United States Army,
Through the Chief Signal Officer of the United
States Army-Slr: / have the honor TO report
that on June6, 1854, at Camp Clay, near Camp
Sabine, Grinnell Land, it became necessary for
me to order the military execution Of Private
Charles b. Henry, of the Fifth cavalry, for
continued thieving. The order was given in
writing on my undivided responsibility, being
deemed absolutely essential for the safety of
the surviving members. Ten had already
noint of death. The facts inducing my
sction were as follows: Provisions had
been stolen in November, 1888, and Henry's
complicity therein was more than sus-
pected. On March "a 1884, the party
nearly persisted from asphyxa. While sew
pral 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 only seen by the Esquimaux,
John Edwards, but his stomach being over
loaded ne threw up the undigested bacon. An
open investigation was held and every mem
Der 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 at once, for our waning
strength rendered his physical services indis-
pensable. Later he was found one day rntoxi-
Gated
HAVING STOLEN LIQUOR
ON hand foysgenarali issue. A second time his
life was demanded, but / again spared him.
On June 5 the thefts of provisions on his part
was reported to me. j had a conversation
with him in which l appealed to his practical
sense, pointing out that 1t was necessary to
IL nanrnsaaI on antfrn
reformation, but, distrusting him, / issued q
written order that he should be shot if detect
ed stealing. On June q, he not only stole part
of the shrimps for our breakfast, but visiting,
unauthorized, our winter camp, stole certain
sealskins reserved for food. i then ordered
him shot. On his person / found A silver
chronograph Abandoned by me at Fort Con-
ger and stolen by him In his bag was found
a large quantity of sealskin and a pair of seal
skin boots stolen q few days before from the
hunter. Suspecting completely on the part
of several, / ordered his execution by
the most reliable men. After his death
the order was read 10 the entire
party aud concurred by every member
as being not only inst, but essential to our safe
ty. To avoid q public scandal / ordered that
no man should speak of this matter until official
report was made of the facts. l have TO request
that a court of inquiry be ordered or a court
martial convened should the honorable secre-
tary Of war deem either advisable. La this case
have thought it best not TO ask written state
ments of the surviving members for appendices
to this report, lest ! might seem TO be tamper-
ing with them. / have not asked since the res
cue June %, whether their opinions concurring
in my action have changed or not, leaving such
questions to your action If deemed requisite. /
naturally regret that circumstances imposed
such a terrible responsibility on me, but / am
conscious that / should nave failed in M duty
to the rest of my party had ! not actedprompt-
iy and summary.
[Signed[ A w. GREELY,
First Lieut. Fifth Cav, A. s. o., and Asst. Com
of l. F.B. Expedition