River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1884-08-21
THE ARCTIC ExEcurrou.
President Greely's Official Repor. Of the
Killing of Private Henry.

The following Ii Lieut. Greely's official re-
mort on the execution of Private Henry.
PORTSMOUTH, n FL, Aug Ito the Adju-
tant General Of the United States Army,
Through the Chief Signal Officer Of the United
States Army-Slr: / have the honor to report
that on June6, 1884, at Camp Clay, near Camp
Sabine. GrinnelI Land, it became necessary for
me to order the military execution of Private
Charles b. Henry, of the Fifth cavalry, for
continued thieying. The order was given in
writing on my undivided responsibility, being
doomed absolutely essential for the safety of
the surviving members. Ten had already
died of starvation, and two more lay at the
point of death The facts inducing my
action were as follows: Provisions had
been stolen in November, lSfj, and Henrys
completely therein was more than sus-
pected On March q, 1884, the party
nearly persisted from asphyxa While sew
erai men were unconscious, ana efforts were
being made for their restoration, Private Henry
stole about two pounds of bacon from the mess
stores. He was only seen by the Esquimaux,
John Edwards, but his stomach being over
loaded he threw up the undIgested bacon. An
open investigation was held and every mem
Der OF the party declared him guilty of this and
other theffs clamor for his life was raised,
but it was repressed by me- put him under
surveillance at once, for our waning
pensable Later he was found one day lntoxl-
Gated
HAVING STOLEN LIQUOR
on hand for general issue second time his
life was demanded, hut / again spared him.
On June the thefts of provisions on his part
was reported to me | had conversation
with him in which | appealed to his practical
sense, pointing out that it necessary TO
our preservation. He promised an entire
reformation, but, distrusting him, | issued
ftasal has hot
ed stealing On June 6, he not only stole part
of the shrimps for our breakfast, but visiting,
unauthorized, our winter camp, stole certain
sealskins reserved for food | then ordered
him shot On his person | found 4 silver
chronograph Abandoned by me at Fort Con-
ger and stolen by him. In his bag was found
a large quantity ofseaislun and pair OF seal
skin boots stolen few days before from the
hunter. Suspeetlng completely on the part
of several / ordered his execution by
the most reliable men. After his death
the order was read TO the entire
party and concurred by every member
as being not only inst, but essential to our safe
ty. To avoid public scandal ordered that
no man should speak of this matter until official
report was made of the facts. have to request
that court of inquiry be ordered or court
martial convened should the honorable secre-
tary of war deem either advisable. In this case
/ have thought it best not to ask written state
ments of thesuryivlng members for appendices
to this report, lest | might seem TO be tamper-
ing with Them | have not asked since the res
cue June -, whether their opinions coneurring
in my action have changed or not, leaving such
questions to your action if deemed requisite |
naturally regret that circumstances imposed
such terrible responsibility on me, but | am
conscious that should have failed in my duty
to the rest of my party had not acted prompt
ly and summary.
[Signed[ W. GREEDY,
First Lieut. Fifth Cav, A. S. o., and Asst Com.
of l. f. b. Expedition.