The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-09-04
CRITICISING LIEUT.. GREEDY
Army officers Fail to See Anything
Heroic in His GOnductin the North.
He Is Also Charged with Deception and
Prevarication in His Attempts to Con-
ceal Facts About His Expedition.

lNhOAOAA III AA1o fAObOAilpoo w SVAA
ceal Facts About His Expedition.
Washington Special.
An interview with Appointment military Of
fetal was published here yesterday, stating that
Lieutenant Greelys course had not met with
approval Of high army officials. This statement
has produced quite sensation in army circles
here and is repeated with additions this after
noon.
1T is learned from certain army officials, the
Critic says, "that acknowledgement Sheridan
has frankly stated that he saw nothing heroic in
Greelys conduct, and that there was some dues
ton as to its being up to the standard Of the
duty of commander.
It's alleged that when Greedy was urged to
promotion to q vacancy IN the QurterInastera
generals Department, although the Quar-
termastergeneral recommended it, the Lieuten-
antgeneral stated that he did not regard Greedy
as entitled to promotion or qualified for the po-
sition
The Chief Signal Officer is outspoken in his
admiration of Greedy as soldier and scientist,
and General Hazen's praise is apparently the
only official tribute that has been conferred upon
the explorer The Importance of General
Hazens commentator is differently estimated
by different people, and praise from other
sources would be more important recommend
alton.
A Critic reporter consulted one of the highest
military authorities to-day on the subject, and
asked him upon what the opinion was based that
Lieutenant Greedy had not been equal to the
duty to which he was assigned.
lieutenant Greedy, he replied, twas q stu
dent and scientist of more or less
ability, but an utter failure as a mill
tary commander The diaries of the
members Of the party reveal startling story.
l am informed that they show mistakes errors
Of justice and discipline almost from the very
start; orders issued that could not be complied
with, i'll temper, etc
"As for errors of judgment, think Of a party
abandoning post full of provisions and going
southwark with SO uncertain prospect, and
carrying tons of coal that were unnecessary,
when tons of provisions in their place might
have saved the whole party. Errors of iudg-
ment of that description render commander
totally incompetent Besides that Greedy quar-
relied with his officers and men from the start,
In the latter part of the stay at Cape Sabine
there were two factions living apart and refus-
ing to speak to each other Sergeant Brainard
headed the party which included Greedy, and
Long headed the other As for heroism on
Greelys part, when the trying time came and
the opportunity for heroism, frmess or trying
discharge of duty, Greedy was mentally and
physically incompetent, and was managed and
fed like q child by Brainard
The quarrels and discussions in the party re-
feet very seriously on the commander. Another
point against Greedy is his intense egotism.
When he sent instructions for his relief he
urged that no more experienced authority be
consulted; that no variation from his plan be
made. Poor fellow, his egotism and his error
brought awful consequences.
'Greely has been guilty of deception and pre-.
varication in his endeavor to keep from the pub
lie the facts about his party His official report
is not, candid nor honest, He intimates clearly
that Henry was the only man accused of stealing
provisions and shields other members; or, at
least, another member whom the diaries accuse
of thefts of provisions, after their distribution,
from their weaker comrades The diaries also
disclose a mystery about DR.. Payey;s death that
Greelysshould not have allowed to remain unex-
planned.
Lieutenant Ray is the only man who has
read all the diaries and records. Other army
officers have read portions of Them and these,
facts have come to my knowledge from time to
time as they have to the knowledge of other Off
cials. If the Lieutenant general would consent,
has been created by these disclosures
The prominent official referred to said that
when an investigation into the Greedy expedi-
ton was made by Congress all the unfortunate
particulars concerning it will become known,
and not until then.
What do you think will be shown by such an
Investigations asked the reporter.
well, they will bring to light the contents of
the individual diaries of the men, which will
show that there was great lack of discipline in
the party, and that Greedy has not been very
consistent in the reports he has made Greedy
had Henry shot for stealing rations, but it will
be learned that stealing rations was general In
one of those diaries there is memorandum
about as follows
g Private 49, has just died from starvation
DIR. Pavey stole and ate the last supplies which
were given to him.
'Now mark my word, twill be found that lots
more of them stole food. The men who were
detailed to hunt game are known to have eaten
part of the game killed, and to have hid the re-
mainder in the snow. That seems just as bad to
me as stealing what was on hand
THE mems diaries make no allusion to eating
human flesh, do they9 asked the reporter9
No. was the reply HAnd don't think any
official Information has been received on that
subject But then Brainard told the story the
very nrst thing. You know he was much
stronger than any of the rest. When he came
aboard the Bear surprise was expressed at it,
and when asked why it was he said:
''Oh, could eat the stuff and digest it, but
the others couldn't When some one of the res
cuing party remarked about the absence of DIR.
Paveys body and expressed wonder as to what
became of it, Brainard said: Hes all gone; l
finished the last Of him just before you arrived"
Brainard and Long Enter . Denial.
CLEVELAND, o., Sept 3.-Sergeants Brainard
and Long and private Connel, of the Greedy arc
tic expedition are here under -engaoamant ot