The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-09-03
ROMANTIC CAREER OF DE RuDro.
Twice Condemned to Death-His Life
Saved by Frances Empress.

Twice Condemned to Death-His Life
Saved by Frances Empress.
From the New York Tribune. Aug. Is.
Capt Charles C. de Rudio. of the Sew
enth Cavalry of the army who will be
retired to-day under the limit law. has
an interesting history. THE army list,
which gives biographical sketches of the
officers of the service, mentions the fact
that he was born in Venice on Aug. 26,
1892: that he entered the Austrian Miltary
Academy of Milan: that after the revo-
luton of 1sis he left the Austrian army
and Joined the Venetian Legion of the
Cacclatori dele Alpi in Venice. serving
until March, 1919, when he left Venice
and entered the legion of Garibaldi IN
Rome; that he took part with that legion
in the battle of April 30. 1Si9 against the
French. at the battles of Palestrina and
Velletri against the Neapoitan Bourbon
army and at the siege OF Rome, till It's
fall. The sketch then gives his connection
with the United States army from Aug.
25, 1864.
Capt de Rudio adds an interesting
chapter to his foreign service by relating
his experiences on the scaffold and his
escape from death in 1858. He had been
sentenced to the guillotine for joining
with Orsini and others in a plot to as
sassinate Louis Napoleon. Three of the
accused men were condemned TO death.
Capt de Rudio being elected as the second
one to suffer the penalty, Immediately
preceding Orsini. lie had made his final
arrangements, had hidden farewell to his
wife and child, had been led to the guillo-
tine 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 glittering blade a free and
unobstructed way. Then at his own re-
quest he had received a couple of mo-
ments to smoke his pipe.
II was Just five minutes before the mo-
ment for the execution to take place when
a man was seen hurriedly to enter the pri-
son gate, and hasten to where De Ruldio
was standing. There he remarked 10 the
victim in an informal way: This Is a cold.
unpleasant day to be out in such cos
tune, my friend"
yes. but | don't care a --, haven't
time to catch cold" was De Rudio's reply,
Not knowing who II was that addressed
him, the officer continued: Excuse me Tor
continuing to smoke, but | cannot take
this pipe out of my mouth Besides ! ann
a great smoker, and as this Is the last pipe
I expect to smoke / want to get the full
benefit from It,"
'Oh go ahead and smoke. But I am hap
py TO say that you will probably smoke
many more" added the stranger.
II hardly think so; will be dead In a
few minutes" answered DE Rudio.
mo you won't, because / have re-
prieye for YOU" came the response.
De Rudio, still In doubt, remarked: But
II am not executed al o'clock, accord
ing to the law, / cannot be executed at all
under this sentence"
'eNever mind about that That Is my
business. Go to your cell. and Will call
and explain all at 3 o'clock went on the
stranger. At the same moment he ordered
the guard to reconduct the condemned
man to the death cell. On the way to the
gate he met Orslni on his way to the guilio-
tine and both men, from a common I'M
pulse. stopped and kissed each other. AS
De Rudio entered the prison gate he turn
ed his face toward the scaffold and bowed
to Orsini. That was the last they saw OF
each other.
The stranger who had prevented the
death of De Rudio was the private sec
rotary of the empress. Later he called and
explainded TO De Rudio that her majesty
had pleaded with the emperor and also
with the Senate to spare the youngest OF
the three men, and, finding mat nothing
could be done, she had ordered the prefect
of police not to carry out the execution
a. q the order had been obeyed.
1he emperor was angry at the interior
ence but his only recourse was to have
another trial DE Rudio was again SEN
fenced 10 be executed, but the sentence
was commuted to exile for life. He es-
capped, and coming 10 the United states,
entered the United States service as
private in the Seventy ninth New YORK
CHiRhlanders) volunteers on Aug. p, 1854
De Rudio served with company A OF the
HiRhlanders only till Oct. 10, 1864, when ne
celved a heutenant's commission in the
Second United States colored infantry.
Soon afterward he was ordered from Fort
Meyer to Punta Rosa, at he mouth OF
the Caloosahatchie river, 10 guard a de-
not of rations and ammunition, valued
at about 5000, 900, collected there for an
evnedition 10 capture Fort st. Mark Flor
ida. by Gen. John Newton While absent
from Fort Myer II was attacked by CON
federate troops, and one OF the videttes
captured by the enemy, made his escape
and reported 70 Lieut. De Rudio. The lat
ter made preparations In case he could
not defend the depot, to destroy II by nre
and when the confederates were seen APP
It on the following morning
word was sent TO the gunb6at Thunderer,
and she soon put the enemy in retreat.
when Gen Newton arrived at the depot
ne commended De Rudio for his work.
Then De Rudio was ordered back to Fort
Meyer to make arrangements to abandon
il. Finding that the fort could not be
effectually destroyed. after demolishing
III the barracks and buildings, the block
houses were burned.
on Jan. 5. 1866, Lieut. De Rudio was mus
erred out Of the volunteer service. and on
Aug. 81 1867, he was appointed a second
lieutenant In the regular service and as
signed to the Second United States IN
'antry. In March. 1868. he was selected
~ the commandment Of the department to