The New York herald., 1876-07-30
ALONE IN THE BURNING WOODS.
The Warrior in Tom Clusters
Buckskin Suit
THIRTY SIX HOURS OF AWFUL SUSPENSE
The Brave Conduct of Private ONeill
of Company G.

Those who have read the accounts OF the disastrous
attle on tho Little Big Horn familiar with the
nme Of Lieutenant De Rudio, who was cut or from
sis command and lost for thirty six hours The par
ticuars of his adventures while endeavorng TO get to
the fellows Of his command has not yet been gwen to
the public but for the kindness Of friend in this
city, to whom he has written letter containing an
account OF his adventures the interesting story gwen
below might have reached beyond his own small
circle Of army companions Through the Kindness OF
Lieutenant De Rudios friend VIC spread before our
readers story Of thrilling adventure and miraculous
escape equal to anything conceived in the mind
Of a novelist 1t contains element Of
what world OF and interest may be concealed
In single line OF telegram. Every one knows that
De Rudo had been cut or from his companions for
thirty six hours, but the story of how that time was
spent has been reserved Tor him TO tell.
LIEUrENANr RuDIo's LETTER.
The letter is dated Scamp on the north side of the
Yellow Stone River, opposite the Big Horn, July s.
1876" and, referring to the disastrous battle OF the
Little Big Horn, 1t says:-
~ had narrow escape at the battle of the Little Big
Horn the 25lh and 26th of june aud will endeavor
10 give You my experience Of Indian fighting At
about ten A. n. tho 25th Of June, after
having marched all night General Custer's scouts
returned and reported that they had discovered
Indian village, about fifteen miles distant on the
Little Big Horn, and that from what they bad
they supposed the Indians to bo rereatng before
advance. We continued our march two three miles
further when halt ordered, ana General Custer
began preparations for attacking the enemy. He de-
tailed companies H, and X, under the command Of
Colonel F. W. Bentsen to take the left OF route
With ORDERS 80 hear, to sweep everything in his
way. Companies NJ, A and were put under the
command Of Colonel Reno, and being temporarily
attached 70 company A, found myself with this
division. General Custer took companies E, l.
F, L and and occupied the right Of
the line OF attack. TIE remaining company
marching two or three miles, our command, tho
eentre was ordered to and hold tho gait until
reached the river six seven miles distant Having
reached the river forded and reaching the plain
beyond the opposite bank we were ordered into line
battle. Everything being ordered. started
galop and for two miles pursued close the verge
Of immense and binding cloud OF dust raised by the
madly flying savagcs ahead of u.s. The dust cloud was
dense that could distinguish nothing Colonel
Reno halted the battalion, and after dnmounting,
formed skirmish line the right flank resting on the
edge of a dry, thickly wooded creek. While
the horses were being lod to shelter in tho
WOOL tho Indians opened CALLING nre
on US, which was Immediately responded to, the skr
mish continuing for about half an hour. now
discovered that the other side Of the creek In q
park-like clearing, there were few lodges, and the
whole line crossed the creek 10 nnd the lodges de-
perted and bc received by about 200 yelpng, yelling
redskins. Tho nre from the numerically superior
force nscssstated retreat, which almost mpos-
sibe, surrounded by warriors When
We entered the engagement were only 100 strong
and the Ore OF the enemy had in our little
band.
THE DESERTED GUIDox
Wpen We were naIt way over tne creek !, DelnR IN
the rear, noticed guidon planted the side we had
LEFT, and returned 10 take il When coming through
the wood the gudon entangled itself the branches
and slipped out Of my hand. dismounted to pick t
A. was about to mount, my horse struck with a
bullet and, becoming frightened he ran into the In
dams, leaving dismounsed the company Of about
300 Sioux not more than fifty yards distant =
CUT FROM HIS coxmASp
They poured whistlng voey at me, but I was not
sounded and managed to escape to the thicket near
BY, where would have opportunity Of defending
myself and selling my life At good high figure In
the thicket found Mr. Gerard the interpreter half
breed Indian, and Private o'NeiIl, OF Company G.
Seventh cavalry The drst the quartet had ,he
horses, while o'Neil, ike myself was dismoun,ed /
told the OF the horses that tho presence of tho
animals would betray u.s. suggesting at the same time
tina. they DO stapsded. They declined act on .he
suggestion, and left them aud crawIcd through
the thick underwood into the deep, dry bottom
Of the creek where could no. be easily discovered
md from whence l hoped to be able under cover OF
tarkness to steal out and rcjoin the command had
,ot been in this hiding place more than ten minutes
when heard several pistol shots Grod in my imme.
date vicinity. and shortly thereafter came the slvery
but to me dabolicil voices OF several "squawxn
raised my head with great caution to see what the
women ut and to discover their exact legation
sQrAws AT scALPlSG.
Ieund the women at the revolving work Of scalping
soldier " no perhaps not yet dead. Two OF the
aides cutting away, whilc two others performed
sort war around the body aud It's mutla,ors
will not attempt 10 describe to you my feelings at
witnessing The disgusting performance You.