The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1876-08-11
DE RUDIO'S ESCAPE.

DE RUDIO'S ESCAPE.
A Thrilling Narrative by a Lieutenant OF
Clusters Cavalry Troop-The Indian De-
mons ON the Trail-Dlscovered 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 q story of
thrilling adventure and miraculous es
cape equal TO anything ever conceived In
the mind of novelist. 1t contains an
element of truth which makes it
stranger than fiction, and shows what a
world of romance and interest may be
concealed in a si.gle 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 lime was spent has been reserved
for blm to tell.
LIEUT.. DE RUDIo's LETTER.
The letter is dated Camp on the
north side of the Yellowstone river, OBJ
posite the Big Horn, July 5, 1876, and
referring 10 the disastrous battle of the
Little Big Horn, it says:
/ had narrow escape at the battle
of the Little Big Horn on the 25th and
Doth of June, and 1 will endeavor To
give you my experience of Indian fight
ing. AT about 10 a. IL. on the 25th of
juno, 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 prepare
tons Tor attacking the enemy. He de
tailed companies IL, ID 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 NJ, A and q were put under
the command of Col. Reno, and, being
temporarily attached to Company A, |
found myself with this division. Gen.
Custer took companies T., I, I l. and G.,
and occupied tae right of the line of at
tack. The re manning company OBJ was
left to GUARD the pack-train. After
marching two Or three miles, our COM
mand, the cen5er, was ordered to trot
and hold tue 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 gallop, and for two miles
pursued close on the verge of an i'm
mense and binding cloud OF dust raised
by the madiy-hyinR savages ahead of us.
The dust-cloud was SO dense that We
could distinguish nothing, so Col. Reno
halted the battalion, and, after dismouut-
ing, formed sllirmish line-the right
flank resting on the edge of a dry,
tbickly wooded creek. While the horses
were peng led to shelter i'll the wood,
the indians opened 81 CALLING fire on us,
which was Immediately responded to,
the slIitmish continuing for about bali
an hour. 1t was now discovered that on
the other eide of the creek, IN q park
like clearing, there were a few lodges,
aud tho whole line crossed the creek To
find the lodges deserted, and be received
by about 900 yelping, yelling redskins
The fire from the acknowledgements
force necessitated retreat, which was
almost impossible, a. we were now SIN
rounded by warriors. When we entered
the engagement we were only l00strong,
and the fire of the enemy had made
havoc III our little band.
THE DESERTED GUTDoS.
When we were half way over the creek
4, being In the rear, noticed a guidon
planted on the side we had left, and
returned 10 take ID. When coming
through the wood the guidon entangled
itself III the branches aud 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. - aers
CUT OFF FROM ms COMMAND.
They poured wsaisthnQ yolley at me.
but WINS not wounded, and managed 70
~. 1rot.. l.