Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-08-14
TIE FATE OLE HENRY.

Lieutenant Greedy being asked what truth
there was in the article published III the
New York Times gave al account OF the
various events Of the latter part of the re-
treat southwark from Fort Congcr. About
November 1st the party began to be served
with one quarter rations, and deoihtatea
health soon showed the effect of this INSULT
cient amount of food. The men were not
before this in as good condition to Withstand
Arctic weather as they had been year ne
fore. About November provisions were
missed from the stores, and it was concluded
that they must have been stolen. Much
complaint was made By tie ineli, aud threats
against the thief were loud. january n The
party was near perishing from asphyxia ana
several Of its members were UNCONSCIOUS.
Private Henry, during this terrible expe
rience. was seen by one of the EsklmoS 10
steal some of the bacon from the stores. lie
soon afterwards was taken i'll from overload.
ING his stomach, and vomited up the bacon
undigesed. An investigation was had and
Henry was proven guilty not only of this,
but of several previous theits. 1t was ter.
rible state of affairs. Henry's indignant
comrades demanded his death. Over and
over again Henry promised to reform, but
! Ibis did not still the clamor for hi
life. Lieutenant Greedy demonstrated with
his men and all was quoted Taking Henry
| i'm hand, Lieutenant Greedy represented to
him the cnormity Of his offence, aud point
| ed out TO him the necessity for concerted
action in the party, if all would be saved.
| Henry was then placed under guard for
several weeks, until the increasing feeble
blcness Of the other members of the party
rendered il necessary for them TO avail
themselves of Henry's personal services.
Shortly afterward he stole liquor from the
stores and became intoxicated Again his
Comrades clamored for his life, and again
Lieutenant Greedy restrained. On June $
he again stole and carried away some OF the
provisions Lieutenant Greedy spoke firm
to Henry, and told him i y yS se es Rot l.
I have no moral sense. remember that our
lives depend Oh our holding togethcr.'
| With great earnestness Henry promised
not 10 be guilty of theft again. Lieutenant
Greedy felt that he could not trust Henry.
| After revolving in his mind their circum-
stances, the Lieutenant on his own respon-
| sibility, issued q written order, now in the
possession of one of the survivors, COM
manding that Henry be shot on sight of
commission Of any more thefts IF food. At
this time the party had left as last resort
only pieces Of sealskin and such shrmps
rs they could procure About June 9Th
Henry went to the old winter quarters
at Camp Clay, near Cape Sabine, and
stole some of the last sealskin, which was
the only food left. He also took the last
pair OF boots in the stores. On being
closely questioned by Lieut. Greedy be adj
mitted his guilt. He was again ready with
promises to do better. His fate was upon
him. He was, in the afternoon of that day.
a little distance at the rear of the summer
quarters, alone by himself The written
order for his execution was committed to
three OF the party. They were ordered to
shoot him, encountering as little danger
themselves as possible, as Henry was the
strongest OF the party. Sadly the men de.
parted on their terrible errand. Their COM
rades left il camp turned their eyes to the
ocean. In few minutes the breeze bore to |
their ears the sound of two quick pistol
shots All were silent. Slowly, after |
short interval the men returned. The writ
ten order was handed to Lieutenant Greely |
and the horrible, but necessary execution |
was over. Henry was never seen again by |
his comrades, and his body was understood |
to he Inferred at the foot of the northwest
Ice foe. The order for the execution of
Henry was that afternoon read TO the sur
vivors, and all concurred in the justice and
necessity Of the act. No report of the man.
ner of his death has ever been made to
Lieutenant Greedy, and the survivors tacitly
Ignored the terrible remembrance
AS far as the reports Of cannibalism are
concerned, Lieutenant Greedy says they are
false. Of his own knowledge he knows Of
nothing of the kind, and the survivors all
deny it. If any cannbalism
took place, Lieutenant Greedy emphatically
says it was in secret, and not INDUCED in
NY the party, but to the best of his know-
edge there was none