The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1876-08-25
LIEUT.. DE RUDIO's ESCAPE
a Thrilling Mare tive of One OF
CuAder's LfeuGemRnlS


LIEUT.. DE GEUDiO'S ESCAPE.
a Thrilling NarstIve OfOne of
CuAGeF's LieuCenanls.
Those who have read the accounts
of the disastrous battle on the Lit
tie 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 particu-
lars of his adventures while en-
deavoring to get to the fellows of
his command have not yet been Civ
en- to the public, and. but for the
kindness of friend in this city TO
whom he has written a letter con-
tanning an account of his adven-
lures, the interesting story given
below might never have reached
beyond his own small circle of ar
my companions. Through the kind
ness OF Lieut.. De Rudio's friends
we spread before our readers a sto-
ry of thrilling adventure and mirac-
ulous escapes equal to anything ev-
err conceived in the mind of nov
elist. 1t contains an element of
truth which makes it stranger than
fiction, and shows what a world of
romance and interest may be con-
cealed in a single line of telegram.
Every one knows that De Rudio
had been cut off from his compan-
ions for thirty-siX hours, but the
story of how that time was spent
has been reserved for him to tell.
The letter is dated "Camp on the
north side of the Yellowstone Riv-
er, opposite the Big Horn, July 9Th,
1876" and, referring to the disas-
trous battle of the Little Big Horn,
it says:
had a narrow escape at the bat
tie of the Little Big Horn on the
25th and Doth of June, and 1 will
endeavor to give you my experience
of Indian fighting. At about ten
a. m. on the 25th of June, after hav-
marched all night, Gen. Clusters
scouts returned and reported that
they had discovered an Indian viii
lage, about fifteen miles distant, on
the Little Big Horn, and from what
they had seen they supposed the In
dams to be retreating before our
advance. We continued our march
two or three miles further, when q
halt was ordered, and Gen. Custer
began preparations for attacking
the enemy. He detailed Companies
Fl, E and X, under the command of
Col. F. w. Benton, to take the left
of orr route, with orders, so hear,
to sweep every thing in his way.
Companies M, A aud G, were put
udder the command of Col. Reno,
and being temporarily attached to
company A, found myself with
this division. Gen. Custer took
Companies E, 1, f, L, and c, 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 command, the center, was or
dered to trot and hold the gait I'M
til we reached the river, six or sew.
en- miles distant. Having reached
the river we forded, and on reach
ing the plain beyond the oppOs tie
bank we were ordered into line of
battle. Everything being as was
ordered, we started on gallOp, and
for two miles pursued on the verge
of an immense cloud of dust raised
by the madly-fying savages ahead
of us. The dust-cloud was so dense
that we could distinguish nothing,
so Col. Reno halted the battalion,
and after dismounting formed a
skirmish line, the right flank resting
on the edge of dry, thickly-wood-
ed creek. While the horses were
being led to shelter in the wood
the Indians opened a CALLING fire on
us, which was Immediately respon-
ded to, the skirmish continuing for
about half an hour. 1t was now
discovered that on the other side of
the creek, in a park-like clearing,
there were q few lodges, and the
whole line crossed the creek tn find
che lodges deserted and be received
by 200 yelping, yelling redskins.
The fire from the numerically supe-
rior force necessitated q retreat,
which was almost impossible, as
we were surrounded by warriors.
When we entered the engagement
we were only 100 strong, and the
fire of the enemy had made havoc
with our little band.
When we were half way over the
creek being in the rear, noticed q
guidon planted on the side we had
left, and returned to take it. When
coming through the wood the gui-
don entsngled itself in the branches
and slipped out of my hand. / dis
mounted to pick it up, and led my
horse up the south bank of the
creek. AS l was about to mount,
my horse was struck with a bullet,
and, becoming frightened, he ran
into the Indians, leaving me dis
mounted in the company of 900
Sioux not more than fifty yards
distant,
They poured a whIstling Yolley
at me, but / was not wounded, and
managed to escape to the thicket
near by, where 1 would have an
opportunity of defending myself
and selling my life at q good high
figure. In the thicket found Mr..
Gerard, the interpreter, q half-breed
Indian, and Private O,NeiIl, of
Company c, Seventh Cavalry. The
first two of the quartet had their
horses, while O'Neill, like myself,
was dismounted. 1 told the own
ers of the horses that the presence
of the animals would betray US,
suggesting al the same time that
that they he stampeded. They de-
olined to act on the suggestion, and
left them and cFaWled through
the thick underwood into the deep,
dry bottom of the creek, where
could not be easily discovered, and
from whence hoped to be able un-
der cover of darkness to steal out