The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1876-08-10
DE RUDIO'S ESCAPE.


A Thrilling Narrative by Lieutenant of
Clusters Cavalry TrOop-The Indian De-
mons on the Trail-DiscOvered and Fired
Upon-Thirty-six Hours of Imminent
PeriI-A Miraculous Deliverance-Sick-
ening Scenes in the Canon Where the
Custer Slaughter Occurred.
from the New York HERALD
Those who have read the accounts of
the disastrous battle on the Little Big
Horn are familiar with the name of
Lieut.. De Rudio, who was cut off from
his command and lost for thirty-six
hours. The particulars of his adventures
while endeavoring to get to the fellows
of his command had not yet been given
to the public, and, but for the kindness
of friend In this city, to whom he has
written letter containing an account of
his adventures, the interesting story
given below might never have
reached beyond his own small circle of
army companions. Through the kind
ness of Lieut.. De Rudio's friend we
spread before our readers d story of
thrilling adventure and miraculous es
cape equal tc anything ever conceived in
the mind of novelist. It contains an
element of truth which makes it
stranger than fiction, and shows what
world of romance and interest may be
concealed in a single line of telegram.
Every one knows that De Rudio had
been cut off from his companions for
thirty-six hours, but the story of how
that time was spent has been reserved
for him to tell.
LIEUT.. DE RUDIo's LETTER.
The letter is dated " Camp on the
north side of the Yellowstone river, OBJ
Dosite the Big Horn, July 5, 1876, and
referring to the disastrous battle of the
Little Big Horn, it says
I had a narrow escape at the battle
of the Little Big Horn on the 25th and
Goth of June, and / will endeavor to
give you my experience of Indian fight
ing. At about 10 a. m. on the 25th of
June, after having marched all night,
Gen. Clusters scouts returned and re
ported that they had discovered an In
dian village, about fifteen miles distant,
on the Little Big Horn, and that from
what they had seen they supposed the
Indians to be retreating before our ad-
vance. We continued our march two or
three miles further, when halt was Or
dered, and Gen. Custer began prepara-
tions for attacking the enemy. He de-
tailed companies Fl, D and K, under the
command of Col. f. W. Benteen, to take
the left of our route, with orders, so
heard, to sweep everything In his way.
Companies M, A and g were put under
the command of Col. Reno, and, being
temporarily attached to Company A, [
found myself with this division. Gen.
Custer took companies E, I, T L and @,
and occupied the right of the line of at
tack. The remaining company OBJ was
left to guard the pack-train. After
marching two or three miles, our com
mand, the center, was ordered to trot
and hold she gait until we reached the
river, six or seven miles distant Hav-
ing reached the river, we fovded, and on
reaching the plain beyond the opposite
bank we were ordered into line of bat
tie. Everything being as was ordered,
we started on a gallop, and for two miles
pursued close on the verge of an i'm
mense and binding cloud Of dust raised
by the madiy-fying savages ahead of us.
The dust-cloud was so dense that we
could distinguish nothing, SO Col. Reno
halted the battalion, and, after dismount-
ing, formed skirmish ine-the right
flank resting ON the edge of dry,
thickly-wooded creek. While the horses
were being led to shelter in the wood,
the Indians opened q CALLING fire on us,
which was Immediately responded to,
the skirmish continuing for about bali
an hour. It was now discovered that on
the other side of the creek, In a park
like clearing, there were a few lodges,
and the whole line crossed the creek to
find the lodges deserted, and be received
by about 200 yelping, yelling redskins.
The fire from the numerically-supe
force necessitated a retreat, which was
almost impossible, as we were now sur
rounded by warriors. When we entered
the engagement we were only 00strong,
and the fire of the enemy had made
havoc in our little band.
THE DESERTED GUIDoN.
When We were halt way over the creek
j. being in the rear, noticed guidon
painted or the side we had left, and
returned to take it. When coming
through the wood The gu'd), entangled
itself in the branches and slipped out of
my hand. [ dismounted to pick it up,
aud led my horse up the south bank of
the creek. AS was about to mount, my
horse was struck with a bullet, and be-
coming frightened, he ran into the In
dams, leaving me dismountedin the COM
pany of about 800 Sioux not more than
fifty yards distant.
CUT OFF FROM HIS COMMAND.
They poured whistling volley at me,
but was not wounded, and managed to
escape to the tnicket near by, where /