The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1884-08-15
cREELY,s REPORT.

GREELH'S hEEOeI.
Why and How Private Henry Was
Washington, 14.-Following is
lieutenant Gfeely's official report
of 1hs execution of Private Henry:
PORTSMOUTH, N. H.,
August 18th, 1884.
administered United States,
Thgouqh the Chief Signal Officer,
U. A.:
SRI have the honor to report
that OF June 9th, 1884, al Camp
CLAW. near Cape Sabin, Grinnell
Land. it became necessary for me
to order the military execution of
Private Charles B. Henry, Fifth
Cavalry, for continued thievlng'
/ he order was given in writing. on
my undivided responsibility, being
deemed absolutely essential for the
safety of the surviving members OF
the expedition. Ten had already
died from starvation, and two more
lay at the point Of death. Inc Facts
inducing my action were as follows:
Provisions had been stolen In NO
vember, 1883, and Henry's compile
jty therein more than suspected.
On Msr.h "a, 1884, the party nearly
perished from asphyXia; while sew
eral were unconscious, and efforts
being made for their restoration
Private Henry stole about two
pounds Of bacon from the mess
stores; he was not only seen by the
Eskimo, Jens Edwards, but his
stomach being overloaded he threw
up undigested bacon. An open
investigation was had 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; 1 put him
under surveillance until our waning
strength rendered his physical ser
vice indispensable. Later he was
found che day intoxicated, having
stolen the liquor on hand for general
issue. A second time his life was
demanded, I again Jared him.
On June 9Th the theft of prov sions
on his part having been rep rted to
me had a conversation with him in
which I appealed to his prac ical
sense, showing that it WIS necessary
TO our preservation; he promised
entire reformation, but distrusting
him, l issued written order thai
he should be shot if detectet steal
ing again. On Juue 9th, he moi
only stols part of the sh :imps fol-
our breakfast, but visiting Onau-
thoriZed our winter camp, stole Ger
tain seal skins reserved for food.
then rdered him sho:. On his per
son was found the silver chrome
graph abandoned by me at For
Conger and stolen by him; in hi.
bag was found q large quantity o.
seal skins and pair of seal Skin
boots stolen a few days before from
the hunter. Suspecting complicity
on the part of several, / ordered hi
execution by the three most reliable
men. After his death the Or6ei
was read to the entire party an(
concurred in by every member a:
being not only just, but eFsentia
for our safety To avoid public
scandal. 1 orde ed that no mar
should speak of this matter unit
the official report was made
OF the facts. L have the honor
to request that a court of inquiry
he ordered, or court martial con-
vened should the honorable secre-
tary of war deem either advisable il
this case, l have thought il best no
to ask written statements of the
surviving memtefs of the party fol
an appendix to this report, lest
might seem to be tempsring with
them, have not asked since GU
rescue. June 22nd,SWhether theil
opinions concurring in my action
have changed or not, leav ng sucl
questions to your action if deemed
requisite, l naturally regret the cir
cumsiances imposed, such terrible
responsibility upon us. but l am
conscious l should have failed il
my duty to the rest of my party hat
1 not acted promptly and sum
marily. (Signed,) A. W. GREELY