Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-01-13
SERIOUS CHARGES
Against 1t. Darlington, of the U. 5. Navy
-Hei is Said TO be Guilty of Gross
Neglect of Duty.
WAsHINGToN, Jan, |,

AsHlNGToN, jan
AdJt. Gen. Drum forwarded today to Gen
hazen memorandum prepared by the secre-
tary of war to express his views in regard to
the charges recently preferred by Gen. Hazen
against 1t Darlington in relation to the lat
ters management OF the Greely relief expedi.
ton of 1888.
There are, Secretary Lincoln says, in hi:
memorandum two charges against 1t. Gar.
lington. First, disobedience TO orders, with
five specifications. Second. neglect of duty
duty, with l3 specifications. Both are laid
under the 62nd article of war
The secretary then recites each specifca
ton OF both charges, and comments on them
at great length. He quotes from the finding.
of the former court of equality and in conclu
sion says:
Upon full consideration of all the facts
which could be known TO It. Darlington the
court of inquiry before which Lit. Darlington
was, in effect. on trial, was of the opinion
that no further proceedings before a general
court martial were called for. and that the
opinion was accepted and acquiesced in. Thai
court had before it all of the matters out OF
which grew all of the within charges, which
are, in the view of the secretary of war, of Sc
rious consequence, when the nature of the
services upon which 1t Darlington was en-
gagged IS considered, and upon careful exami-
nation of all the known history of this expe
dition, the secretary of war is of the opinion
that the public interests do not require tina,
court martial be convened to try 1t. Gar
lington upon the within charges.
The secretary of war does not regard 1t.
Garlington's conduct as free from criticism
and blame; on the contrary he thinks the
language of the court of inquiry respecting
" no npost tap Of hp
case would permit.
The secretary considers that the instruc-
tions to Lit Darlington were defective in not
providing for the disaster which actually hap
pened. Gn this point he has never changed
the view he expressed in 1888 in his letter to
the chief signal officer, in these words
at would seem, therefore, that the
directions contained in the memorandum
mentioned in your letter that Lieut.. CARING
ton should, in going up, establish base of
supplies, was a most prudent measure the
omission of which, after it had once been
thought of. is as difficult to understand as it
is deeply to be regretted, and Lit. Darlington
should not be solely charged by implication,
even if it is not meant, that the charge is ex-
presslv made with the death of 10 men of
1t. Greely's party, without more information
than has yet been brought to the attention of
the secretary of war.
The secretary of war will always regret, as
he did in 1881, that the matter of this original
Poler expedition had. before he assumed his
duties, passed by Congressional action, be-
yond the stage at which he could, with pro-
priety, officially intervene to endeavor to
prevent its preparations.
Such expeditions as that of 1t. Greedy are
almost necessarily disastrous, and the the in
terest in their history is usually, if not al
WAYS, measured by the amount of suffering
and distress recorded.
1t is said by 1t. Ga-lngton's friends that
the refusal of the secretary of war to order a
court martial on the charges preferred by
Gen, Hazen is great disappointment to Lit.
Darlington.