The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1884-08-20
1be Man who a Eaton Because
he was Fattest--Lieutenant
CreeIy's OniciaI Report.

PORTSMOUTH, N. H., Aug. il, 1854.
d}intant General. u. s. H., Thuoagh
Chef Siguul Officer, Z. IS. d.
SIR | have the honor to report, that
on June 9th, 1854, at Camp Clay, near
Cane Sabine. Orinncll Land, 1t became
necessary for me TO order a military exc
cution of Private Charles Il. Henry. 9TH
Cavalry. for continued thlevlng. The
order WAS given In writing on nv Indl-
viIual responsibility, being deemed abso-
lutely essential for the safety OF the sur
yiying members of the expedition. len
had already died Of starvation and 'wo
more lay at the point of death. The
facts inducing my action were a. iol-
lows:
The provisions had been stolen in No
yember. 1888, and Henry's completely
therein was more than suspected. March
9th. 1884. our party nearly persisted
from asphyxia, and 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
the Esquimaux and Jens Edwards, but
his stomach being overloaded, he threw
up the undigested bacon. An open IN
~vestigation was held and every member
of the party declared him guilty OF this
and other thefts. A clamor for his HE
was raised, but was suppressed by me-
| put him under surveillance until our
waning strength rendered his physical
services indispensable. Later q day
he was found intoxicated, having stolen
the liquor on hand for general issue. A
second time his life was demanded, but L
again spared him.
On June 5th, thefts Of the provisions
on his part having been reported to me, l
had a conversation with him, in which |
appealed to his practical sense, pointing
out that union was necessary TO gu pre-
servation. He promised entire refOrma-
ton, but distressing him issued a writ
ten order that he should be shot If de-
tected stealing. On June 9th he not
only stole part of the shrimps for our
breakfast, but visited unauthorized our
winter camp and stole a certain seal skin
reserved for food. / then ordered him
shot. On his person was found a silver
chrome graph, 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 Hunter, and sus-
pecting complaints on the part of seve-
raj, | ordered his execution by three OF
the most reliable men. After his death
the order was read to the entire party,
and was concurred 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
hat a court of inquiry be ordered, or a
couIt-martial convened, should the hon.
orable secretary Of war deem either ad
visable IN this case. | have thought 1t
best moi to ask for the written statements
of the surviving members of the party
for appendices to this report, lest | might
seem to be tampering with them. ] have
not asked since our rescue, June 22nd,
whether their opinions concurring in my
action have changed or not. Leaving
such questions to your action, if deemed
requisite, | necessarily regret that the
circumstances imposed such u terrible
responsibility upon me, but | am con.
scious that | should have failed in my
duty TO the rest of any party had | no,
acted promptly and summarily.
am, respectfully,
(S.oned) A. W. GREELY.