New-York tribune., 1896-08-25
ROMANTIC CAREER OF DE RUDIO.
A CAPTAIN OF THE 7TH L. S. CAVALRY WHO
Is TO BE RETIRED TO-DAY TWICE CON-
DEMNED TO DEATH-HIS LIFE SAVED
Ry FRANCES EMPRESS
BY FRANCES EMPRESS


Captain Charles c. de Rudio, OF the eth Cavalry Of
the Army, who will be retired to-day under the age
limit law, has interesting history. The Army
List which gives biographical sketches OF the officers
OF the service mentions the fact that he was born IN
Venice August 26 1892: that he entered the Aus
tran Military Academy Of Milan that after the revo-
luton of lAs he left the Austrian Army and Joined
the Venetian Legion of the Cacciatori dele Alp In
Venice serving until March, lsi9 when he left Venice
and entered the Legion Of Garibadi in Rome that he
took with that legion in the battle OF April 3D.
ls49 against the French at the battles OF Palestrna
and Veetri against the Neapoan Bourbon Army,
and at the siege of Rome TIL its fall The sketch
then gives his connection with the United States
Army from August %. 1864.
Captain dc Rudo adds interesting chapter 10
his foreign service by relating his experiences on the
scanold and his escape from death In ls5s He had
been sentenced to the gulone for Joining with Orsini
and others in plot TO assassinate Louis Napoleon
Three Of the accused men were condemned 10 death.
Captain dc Rudio being elected as the second one TO
suffer the penalty Immediately preceding OrsnL He
had made his final arrangements. had hidden farewell
10 his wife and child mad been led 10 the gullotine by
the guard where the black cap had been adjusted, his
arms tied behind him and his clothing stripped from
his neck and shoulders almost to the waist, to give
the glitterng blade free and unobstructed way.
Then at his own request he had received couple Of
moments TO smoke his pipe.
1t just five minutes before the moment for the
execution to take place when a man was seen hur-
rledy to the prison gate. and hasten to where
De Rudio standing. There he remarked TO the
victim in an Informal way This is cod. unpleasant
day 10 be out in such a costume. my friend
'.Yes but don't care a - I haven't time 10 catch
cold" was DE Rudios reply. Not knowing who 1t was
that addressed him, the officer continued Excuse
me for continuing to smoke. but cannot take this
pipe out Of my mouth. Besides am great smoker
and as this is the last pipe expect to smoke l want
to get the full benefit from IT.
"Oh. go ahead and smoke. But am happy 70 say
that YOU will probably smoke many more. added the
stranger. .
II hardly think So will be dead In sfew minutes
answered De Rudo. .
NO you won't because have reprieve for you'
came the response
De Rudio still in doubt remarked: "But II am not
executed at o'clock according to the law, cannot
he executed At all under this sentence.
Never mind about that. That IL my business
Go TO your cell and will call and explain All AZ y
o'clock" went on the stranger AT the same mo-
ment he ordered the guard to reconduct the con-
domned man to the death cell on the way TO the
gate he met Orsini his way TO the gullo'ihe
and both men. from common impulse. stopped
and kissed each other AS De Rudio entered nc
prison gate he turned his face toward the scanoln m
and bowed TO Orsini. That was the last they sa"
The stranger who had prevented the death s +, OF
nress Later he called and explained to De Rudio
that Her Majesty had pleaded with the Emperof mp OF
and also with the Senate to spare The younges, M od
the three men. and finding that nothing III G3uid noe of
done she had ordered the Prefect OF f3Ice hot @
TO carry out the execution and the orner Ia" W."
obeyed. ,,.o.o,oo h,,,
Tie Emperor angry at the nerfersncee' roe 1Hs ne
his only recourse was to have another trlal pe
Rudio was again sentenced 10 he execuien pqo q
the sentence was commUted TO exile for me ne
escaned and coming 10 the United States. entered
the United States service private IN me ''1n
New-York (Highandcrs) Volunteers on August -
De Rudio served with Company A Of the High,
lauders only till October 16 1861 when he received
Colored Infantry Soon aterward ne was ornsre9
from Fort Never to Punta Rosa. at the mouth OF
the Caloosa ha tchie River TO guard depot o. o "a "a
lions and ammunition, valued at about tZ'IVW
collected there for an expedition to capture Fort
ST Mark Florida. by General John Newton WINE
absent from Fort MNeSr M 1T 6 Sdess SaGssd 9
bv the enemy made his escape and reported 10
lieutenant De Rudio. The latter made prepara.
destroy It by fire, and when the confederates Wers
seen approaching It on the following morning word
was sent the gunhoat Thunderer. and she soon
put the enemy IN retreat. When General Newton
arrived at the depot he commended DE Rudio Tor
his work Then De Rudo was ordered pack 70
Fort Meyer TO make arrangemehts 10 ananuoh mon a, y.
stroyed after demoishlng all the barracks ana
buildings the bockhouses were burned
on January s. 1896 Lieutenant de- Rudio was vas
August 81. ls6 he appointed second lieu
tenant in the regular service and assigned 10 inc
2d United States Infantry In March. lSN. ne was
selected by the commandant Of the Department TO
take charge Of a detachment Of fifty picked mount
ed infantrvmen At Lebanon. Ky. for the purpose
me Civil RIGHTS hil and the Public Revenue law.
I-pon the recommendation Of Maior-General George
IT. Thomas Lieutenant De Rudio was transferred
signed to the Eth Regiment. He has taken part In
all the marches and campaigns OF that regiment
He was promoted TO be captain on December H.