Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1884-08-21
Lieut.. GreeIy's Report in Regard to
the Shooting Of Private Hepry.

WASHINGTON, August 1.-THE follow
ing is Lieut.. Greely's official report Of the
execution Of private Henry:
PORTSMOUTH, n H., August 11.-AJu-
tant General, through Chief Signal Officer U
| Sd: SIR.-I have the honor TO report
| that on June 9th, 1884, at Camp Clay, neal
| Cape Sabin, Grinnel Land, it became neces-
| sary for me to order military execution OF
private Chas. c. Henry, 5th cavalry, fol
continued thieving. The order was given
in writing, on my own responsibility, being
| deemed absolutely essential for the safety
| of the surviving members of the expedi-
| ton. Ten had already died from starva-
| ton and two more lay at the point OF
| death The facts inducing my action were
as follows:
| Provisions had been stolen in November
1883. and Henrys completely therein more
than suspected. On March oath, 1884, the
party nearly perished from asphyxia. While
several of the men were unconscious and
efforts being made for their restoration
private Henry stole about two pounds OF
bacon from the mess stores. He was not
only seen by the Eskimo (Jensedwards)
but his stomach being overloaded he threw
up undigested bacon. An open lnvestiga-
ton was held and every member OF the
party declared him guilty of this and other
thefts. A clamor for his life was raised,
but was repressed by me. | put him under
surveillance until our waning strength rem
dered his physical services desirable.
Later he was found one day intoxicated,
having stolen liquor on hand for general
issue. A second time his life was demand
ed but again spared him. On June 9Th,
theft of provisions on his part having
been reported to me, l mad conversation
with him, in which l appealed to his own
practical sense, pointing out what was ne
cessary TO our preservation. lie promised
entire reformation, but distrustlng 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 shrlmps
for our breakfast, but visiting, unauthor-
lied, our winter camp, he stole certain seal
skins reserved for food l then ordered
him to be shot On his person was found
a silver chronograph abandoned by me at
Fort Conger and stolen by him. In his
bag was found large quantity of seal skin
and pair of seal skin boots, stolen few
days before from the hunter. Suspecting
Ou peio III oO'Sioi eAiSA"7j
ordered his execution by three OF the most
reliable men. After his death the order
was read to the entire party and concurred
in by every member as being not only just
but essential to our safety. To avoid pub
lie scandal, | ordered that no man should
speak of tins matter until an official report
was made of the facts
| have the honor to request that court
of inquiry be ordered, or a court martial
convened, should the Honorable Secretary
of War deem either advisable in this case.
| have thought it best not to ask written
statement of the surviving members OF the
party for appendices to this report, lest l
might seem to be tampering with them. l
have not asked since our rescue, June 22d,
whether their opinion concurring in my
action has changed OF not, leaving such
questions to your action if deemed requisite.
l naturally regret the circumstances that
imposed such a terrible responsibility upon
me, but l am conscious should have failed
in my duty to the rest of my party had
not acted promptly and summarily.
(Signed) A.!W. GREELY.