The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-08-15
OFFICIALLY SETTLED.
Lieut.. Greely's Official Report on the
Execution Of Henry.
Condemned and Killed for Continue
Theft of the Rations-Reception
to Greedy at His Birth
place.

WASHINGTON CITY, Aug 15.-The follow
ing is Lieut.. Greelys official report of the ex-
ecution of Private Henry:
PORTSMOUTH, N. H., Aug 14-To THE
ADJUTANT GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES
OF THE UNITED STATES: SRI have the
honor TO report that on June6, 1884, at Camp
Clay, near Cape Sabine, Grinnel Land, it
became necessary for me to order the
military execution of Privrte Charles
B. Henry, of the Fifth cavalry,
for continued thieying. The order was given
in writing on my undivided responsibility,
being deemed absolutely essential for the
safety of the surviving members of theexpe-
dition 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,
1888, and Henry's completely therein was
more than suspected March a. 1894, the
party nearly persisted from asphyxia While
several men were unconscious and efforts
were being made for their restora
ton, Private Henry stole about two pounds
of bacon from the mess stores. He was not
only seen by Esquimaux Jens Edwards,
but his stomach being overloaded, he threw
up the undigested bacon An open investi-
CATION 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 services indis-
pensable Later he was found one day
intoxicated, having stolen liquor on hand
for general issue. A second time his life was
demanded but again spared him. On June
5, thefts of provisions on his part having
been reported to me- had a conversation
with him, i'll which appealed to his practi-
cal sense, pointing out what was necessary to
our preservation. He promised entire re
formation but, distressing him [ issued
written order that he should be shot If de
tected stealing. On June Il he not only stole
part of the shrlmps for our breakfast,
but, visiting, unauthorized, our winter
camp stole certain sealskins reserved for
food. l then ordered him Shot. On his per
son was found a silver chronograph
abandoned by me at Fort Conger and stolen
by him. In his bag was found large
quantity of sealskin and pair of sealskin
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. After his death
an order was read to the entire party,
and concurred in by every member
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. l have the honor TO
request that a court of inquiry be ordered,
or that court-martial be convened, should
the honorable secretary of war deem
either advisable In this case | have
thought it best not to ask the writ
ten statements of the surviving mem
bers of the party for appendices to this re-
pert, lest | might seem to be tampering
with them l have not asked since our
rescue, June q, whether their opinions con
curing in my action have changed or not
leaving such questions to your action il
deemed requisite. naturally regret the eli.
cumstances which imposed such terrible re
| sponsibility upon me, but am conscious
| should have failed in my duty TO the rest vi
my party had l not acted promptly anG
summarily
| [Signed] A. w GREELY,
| First Lieutenant, Fifth cavalry A S. O.
! and Assistant Commander of Lady Frank
lin bay expedition