Delta chief., 1884-08-20
GREELYS OFFICIAL REPORT.
His Reasons for Ordering the Execution
or Private Henry.
REQUESTS ACoURTOF INQUIRY

WASHINGTON, ID. c.. August 1.-The
following is Lieutenant Greelys official report
of the execution OF Private Henry;
PORTSMOUTH, New Hampshire, August II.
To the Adjutant- General OF the United states
Army, through the Chief Signal Once o'
the United States Army.
Sir-I have the honor to report that on June
6, 1884, at Camp Clay, near Cape sabine "fih-
nell Land, it became necessary Tor me To otu'f
the military execution OF Private Charles b.
Henry. of the Fifth Cavalry, for continued
thieving. The order was given In writing on
my indiYidu al responsibility, being deemed ao-
solutcly essential for the safety OF the surHiv-
ing members of the expedition. Ten men had
already died Of starvation. and two more lay
at the point of death.
The facts inducing my action were as follow..
Provisions had he, n stolen In November, 1883,
and Henry's completely therein was more than
suspected. On March 81, 1874. the party nearIy
perishcd from asphyXif 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 wss not only seen by the Esquimo,
JAMS Edwards, but. his stomach being over
| loaded, he threw up the undigcstcd bacon An
| investigation was held and every nenoer oil
thefts. \ clamor for his life was raised, but II
was suppressed by me.
| put him under surveillance until our wan
| ing strength rendered his physical services In
dispcnsabie. Later he was found one day In
| toxlcated, having stolen the liquor which WAS
| on hand for the general issue. \ second time
his life twas demanded. but I again spared
\ him.. On June 5, the theft Of provisions on
| his part having been reported to me, ] had a
conversation with him In which appealed 10
| OF 1l
| necessary 10 our preservation. He promised
| an entire reformation, but dIstTusting him,
! issued a written order that he should be shot
| II he WAS again detected In stealing.
| On June he not only stole a part OF The
shrimps for our breakfast but, visiting unau.
| thorized our winter camp he stole certain sea-
| skins which were reserved for food. then
ordered him to be shot. On his person was
found a silver chronograpb which had been
| abandoned by me at Fori Congcr and stolen
by him. In his bag was found large quhn
| tity Of seal skin and pair OF seal skin boots
| which were stolen a few days before from tn,
hunter. Suspecting completely on The
part Of several others, ordered his eSccu
| tion by three OF my most reliable men, nftci
the death order was read to the entire part,
and concurrci in by every member, as being
| not only Just but essential to our safety. Tc
avoid public scandal | ordered that no mar
should speak OF this matter until my ot'icia
| report was made Of the facts.
] have the honor to request u Court OF In
| quiry be ordered, or Court-marttal convened
| should the honorable Secretary Of War deem
! either advisable in this case. | have though
| 1t best not to ask for the written statement
Of the surviving members Of the party for sp
pendiccs to this report lest might seem to b
| tampering with them. ! have not nsked sine
| our rescue on June 22nd, whether their opin
| Ions concerning my action have changed o.
not, leaving such questions TO your action, 1
deemed requisite. | naturally regret the cir
| cumstances which imposed such terrible rc
| spOnsIbiIity upon me but ! am conscious tina
| should have failed In my duty 10 the rcft o
the party had not acted promptly and sum
Inarily.
fsigncd GREELr, Commanding.