Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1884-08-18
HENRY's EXECUTION.
Lieutenant GreeIy's Official Report of the
Affair,


Lieutenant GreeIy's Official Report of the
AffAir
Washington, Aug. 1.-THE following
is Lieut.. Greely's official report of the
execution of Private Henry:
Portsmouth, N. H., Aug. l1-Adjutant
general United States army, through the
chief signal officer of the United States
army-Sir: 1 have the honor to report
that on June 6, 1884, at Camp Clay, near
Cape Sabine, Grinnell land, it became
necessary for me to order the military
| execution OF Private Charles &. Henry.
OF the Fifth cavalry, for continued
thieving. The order was given in writ.
ing on my individual responsibility. IL
being deemed absolutely essential for the
safety of the surviving members of the
expedition. Ten had already died of
starvation, and two more lay at the point
of death. The facts inducing nv action
were as follows: Provisions had been
| stolen in November, 1883, and Henry's
completely therein was more than sus.
pected. March "a, 1854, the party nearly
persisted from asphyxia. While
several men were unconscious and
efforts were being made for their resto.
ration, Private Henry stole about two
pounds of bacon from the mess stores.
He was not only seen by the Eskimo,
Jersed 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 these and other thefts. A
clamor for his life was raised, but was
suppressed by me. put him under
surveillance until our wasting strength
rendered his physical services indispen.
sable. Later he was found one day IN.
toxicated, having stolen the liquor on
hand for medicinal use. a second time
his life was demanded, but again spared
him. On June 9th theft of provisions
on his part having been reported to me ]
had conversation with him In which ]
appealed to his practical sense, pointing
out that 1t was necessary to our preser
vatlon. He promised entire reforma
ton, but distrusting him issued writ
ten order that he shot if detected steal
ing again. June 6 he not only stole par
OF the shrimps for our breakfast, but
J visiting unauthorized our winter camp
stole certain seal skin reserved for food
| then ordered him shot. On his return
found silver cronograph, abandoned
: oy me at Fort Conger, and stolen by him
Al Ais Jag 4ueLe WAS ulSO lOuQQ largt
quantity of seal skin and pair of sea
skin boots stolen few days before from
the hunter. Suspecting completely or
the part of several, ordered lis execu
ton by three of the most reliable men
After his death the order was read to tht
entire party and concurred in by ever,
member as being not only just but es
sential for our safety. To avoid public
scandal, ordered that no man should
speak of this until the official report
was made of TIE facts. have the homo
to request that court of inquiry be or
dered, by court martial convened
should the honorable secretary of wal
deem either advisable in this case.
have thought it best not to ask writer
statement OF the surviving members o
the party for appendix lest might seen
tampering with them. have not asket
one since our rescue, June %, whethe
their opinions concurring in my actor
have changed or not. leaving such ques
tions to your action, if deemed req uisite
| naturally regret that the circumstance
imposed such terrible responsibility o,
me, but am conscientious I should hav,
failed in my duty to the rest of my part,
had I not acted promptly and sum:
marily. lSigned] A. w. .GREELY.