The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-02-01
CUSTER'S LAST FIGHT,


kota blizzard doing its worst, that, act,
ing upon the suggestion of friend,
called upon "Count Carlos" to hear his
description of the Custer fight. "He,
Ihad been assured, "gives more correct
and realistic account of the fight than any
other officer who took part in it. Just
get him we'll started and you will be full
~ repaid for your trouble"
With the former history of Count
Carlos was already familiar. He was a
descendant of a noted patriotic family of
Italians. His father and several of his
brothers had been executed in Italy for
their patriotic principles, while all OF
the members of the family, besides him
self, including even the females, had
suffered lengthy imprisonments. Brought
up in such an atmosphere, it was not
strange that, after arriving at more ma
ture years, he should devote his body
and soul to the cause in which his rela-
atives had perished; and before he had
reached the age of II years he had been
proclaimed political outlaw. and re-
ward had been offered for his body, alive
or dead.
Trusting for his safety in the intricacies
of the passes of the Alps, he remained in
or near Italy until several years later, when
he went to Paris. There he remained for
some time, member and the representa-
tive of one of the most powerful Eu.
ropesn secret societies of the day. Finally,
on the night of Jan. IA, 1858, he under,
took to perform, in connection with
Orsini, Gomez, and Pieri, the duties im-
posed upon them by the society, who be-
lieved that the Emperors death would
accomplish the Independence of Italy,
History has recorded the attempted as
sassination of Napoleon ILL., that night.
The bombs were thrown, but failed in
their object.
In the course of few daj ) all four OF
the conspirators were captured. Gomez
saved his own neck by sacrificing those
of his companions, who were sentenced
to be executed. Orsini aud Pieri were
executed in the presence of Count Carlos,
whose sentence was oommuted on the
scaffold.
Soon after his narrow escape from
death "Count Carlos made his escape
and came to this country, accepting,
upon his arrival, commission in the
Northern army, and at once joining his
company in the field. After the war ht
remained in the army, and is now gal
liant Captain of cavalry.
Ifound Count Carlos at his home, en-.
joying pipe and book. He was 6
slight though compactly built man, whose
hair and beard, which was trimmed to a
point, were fast turning gray. His
moustaches were long and carefully
waxed. Fortunately, he was very atfable
and apparently in tho best of humors.
After carefully leading up to the sub, ,ect
by judicious questions and remarks, !
succeeded in getting him fairly started,
and, as the story progressed, lie seemed
to live over again tn bloody scenes OF
those hours. and, letting his pipe 60 out
In his excitement, be illustrated his mar.
rative by many descriptive gestures and
attitudes, and allowed his foreign accent
to creep in unheeded.
swell, you see, " said he, al probably
had better view of parts, at least, o.
the fight than many others, because
saw it from the Indians side. owing tc
my being left behind when the troop:
fell back.
cit was nearly noon on the day of the
battle (June 26, 1876 when, far ahead ol
our column, we saw immense clouds ol
dust, and other indications that the
Indians in large numbers were near US
General Custer divided his command into
two parts, one Of which he commanded
while Major Reno took command Of the
other. Custer left us and struck down
toward the Little Big Horn, intending
to cross and attack from the lower side,
while we were to cross further up and
attack from above. That was the las,
that we saw of him or his gallant com
mand until we found their mutilatcd
bodies some days later.
"We crossed at ford some distance
further up stream, and soon came in
sight of an immense crowd of mounted
Indians. They were riding back and
:orth and raising such dust that We
could tell nothing about their numbers
Before long the bullets began to fal
among us, and the order was given t.
dismount and fight on foot. We ad
vsnced in skirmish line, and wien with
In easy range halted and made stand
The firing had been going on for some
ten or fifteen minutes when saw small
party detach themselves and move arount
coward our flank. I gathered four o
five men about me and rushed to
position from which the flank could b
defended. We found there q dry stream
with high-cut banks. which gave u
ample cover, aud sheltered by which W
held the tlanking party at bay, and oc
casionally succeeded in Knocking Owe
one of their number. Some time after
I don't know how long! was surpri et
at hearing my orderiy's voice behind me
saying: lieutenant, here's yorr horse.
al doa't want ms horse replied
,'Cet h;:a down here out oi run;cc 4
quickly Ii YOU can.
'E,,G,' l",liod the orderly, 'ih2 com
suarG il retrcafin%.'
81 looked l., hind me and, sure enonst
tl;erc VA. the long line slowly tal!ln
back toward tic l,.rscs. J sprang towar
NV hu:s", md w"4 ln,'tt to amount whc
a troop guides. Ut! = ing i'll the vim
where It had !cr. !r,: IN tie trno!
fell back, caught .Hy cyc. ordere
orc ui the soldiers to Eci It, but he ws
recruit, and his attention was entirel
taken up in trying t" get back to tn
command. Disiiking 10 50; rar uawiil
4ng tn confront ians:r in;n which