, 1884-08-15
He Officially Tells About the
Killing of Henry.
How The Mormons We're
Slaughtered in Tennessee.
What the Telegraph of a Day
Brought Forth.
Greely's Official Report.

WASHINGTON, August l4.-Following
is Lieutenant Greely's official report of
the execution of Private Henry:
PORTSMOUTH. n. H. August IL.
Adjutant General, U. S. A.-(Through
the Chief Signal Office, U. S. Az, Sir-I
have the honor to report that on June 6,
1884, at Camp Clay near Cape Sabin,
Grinnell Land, it became necessary for me
to order the military execution of Private
Charles B. Henry, 5th Cavalry, for con-
tinued thieving. The order was given in
writing, on my individual responsibility,
being deemed absolutely essential for the
safety of the surviving members of the
expedition. Ten had already died from
starvation and two more lay at the point
Of death. The facts inducing my action
were as follows: Provisions had been
stolen in November, 1888, and Henry's
completely therein was more han suspect
ed On March "a, 1884, the 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 Eskimo Jcns Edwards,
but his stomach being overloaded
he threw up the undigested bacon.
An open investigation was had
and every member of the party declared
him guilty of this and other thefts. A
clamor for his life was raised, but was re-
pressed by me. 1 put him under sur
veillance until our waning strength rend-
cred his physical service indispensable.
Later he was found one day intoxicated,
having stolen liquor, on hand for general
issue. A second time his life was de-
manded, but l again spared him. On
June 9Th h etheft of provisions on his part
having been reported to me l had a CONVEX
sltion with him in which 1 appealed to
his practical sense, pointing out that it
was necessary to our preservation. He
promised an entire reformation, but dis
trusting him, l issued a written order, that
he should be shot if detected
stealing again. On June 9th he
not only stole part of the shrimps,
for our breakfast, but visiting, unauthor-
lied, our Winter camp, he stole certain
seal skins reserved for food. 1 then or
dered him shot. On his person were
found a silver c~hronograph, abandoned by
me at Fort Conger, and stolen by him. In
his bag was found a large quantity of seal
skins and a pair of seal skin boots stolen a
few days before from the hunter. Sus
pecting completely on the part of several,
| ordered his execution by three of the
most reliable men. After his death, the
order was read to the whole party and
concurred in by every member, as being
not only just, but essential to our safety.
To avoid a public scandal l ordered that
no man should speak of this matter until
an official report was made of the facts. l
have the honor to request hat
a Court of Inquiry be order
cd, or a Court Martial convened
should the honorable Secretary of War
deem either advisable. In this case l have
thought it best not to ask written state
ments of the surviving members of the
party for appendices to this report, lest l
might seem to be tampering with them.
1 have not asked since our rescue June %,
whether their opinions concurring in my
action have changed or not, leaving such
question to your action if deemed requis-
lite. l naturally regret the circumstances
which imposed such a terrible responsible
ity upon me. but | am conscious l should
have failed in my duty to the rest of my
party had l not acted promptly and sum
marily. (Signed) A. W. GREELY.