The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1884-08-20
Lieutenant GreeIys Report.

( WASHINGTON. Aug. 1.-THE fol-
lowing is Lieutenant Greeiy's report
of the execution of Private Henry at
Camp Clay. near Cape Sabine:
PORTSMOUTH, n. H., August IL.
lSS4.-Adjutant General, United
States army, Through Chief Signal
Officer, United States army)-Sir: /
have the honor to report that on
June 6, 1884, at Camp Clay, near
Cape Sabine, Grinnell Land. it be-
came necessary for me to order the
military execution of Private Chas.
B. Henry, Fifth Cavalry, for contin-
ued thieving. The order was given
in writing, on my undivided respon-
sibility, being deemed absolutely
essential for the safety of the surviv-
ing members of the expedition.
Ten had already died OF starvation,
and two more lay at the point of
death. The facts inducing my ac-
ton were as follows:
Provisions had been stolen in
November, 1888, and Henry's com-
plicity therein was more than sus-
pected. March "A, 1884, the party
nearly perished 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 Jens Edwards, but his
stomach being overloaded, he threw
up the undigested bacon. An open
investigation 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 rendered his physical ser
vices indispensable. Later he was
found one day intoxicated, having
stolen the liquor on hand for general
issue. a second time his life was
demanded, but again spared him.
On June ), thefts of provision on his
part having been reported TO me, |
had conversation with him, in
which | appealed to his practical
sense, pointing out that union was
necessary to our preservation. He
promised entire reformation; but,
distrusting him, l issued a. written
order that hs should be shot if de-
tected stealing. On June 8 ne not
only stole part OF the shrimps for
our breakfast, but visiting unauthori-
zed our winter camp, stole certain
sealskin reserved for food | then
ordered him shot. On his person
was found a silver chFonograph
abandoned by me at Fort Conger
and stolen by him. IN his bag was
found "a large quantity of seal skin
and pair of seal skin boots stolen
a few days before from the hunter
Suspecting completely on the part of
several. ordered his execution by
three of the most reliable men.
Alter his death the order was read
to the entire party, and was concur
red in by every member as being
not only just, but as essential to our
safety. To avoid public scandal |
ordered that no man should speak /
of this matter until an official report |
was made of the facts. | have the |
honor to request that a court of in
quiry be ordered, or a court-martial /
convened, should the Honorable /
Secretary of War deem either adyis-
able in this case.
| have thought it best not to ask
the written statements OF the surviy
ing members OF the party for appen-
diees to this report, lest might
seem to be tampering with them.
have not asked since our rescue,
July 22d, whether opinions concur
ring in my action have changed or
not, leaving such questions to your
action it deemed requisite. | neces
sarily regret that circumstances i'm
posed such terrible responsible
" upon me, but | am conscious
that should have failed in my du-
ty to the rest of my party had | not
acted promptly and summarilv. l
am, respectfully yours.
A. w. GREELY,
First Lieutenant, Fifth Cavalry,
Us. a, and Assistant Commander
OF L. f. B. Expedition