In January 2001, three inmates escaped from Chicago State Penitentiary's H-Unit (Hi-Max). He was kept very busy for some time. There were numerous ravines leading into the one which we occupied. AMONG SURVIVORS of the Little Bighorn, a few veterans like William Slaper dismissed Thompson's story out-of-hand, while others -- such as John McGuire, Daniel Kanipe, Curley, Goes Ahead and an Anonymous Ree -- corroborated parts of what Thompson said. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Finckle had already missed the chance to carry Custer's last order -- and live -- because his mount was giving out.]. James Bennett] whom to know was to respect. The commotion in the village had subsided; the signs of life were few; it appeared to me that it was deserted, so quiet and deathlike was the stillness. Watson made no complaint, for like myself he knew it would do no good. "Well," I thought, "I will get along anyway." I told him that as I could not carry a gun I thought I had better do something to help the wounded and the dying. Though we may be far apart I celebrate the fact that we are in each other's virtual company and are able to share our ideas over the next half an hour. The plan we had mapped out for ourselves was to climb the right bank of the river and gain the trail of the cavalry and then, if possible, join our company. I walked forward looking into the grove for signs of Indians, but not a sign of life could I see. I now looked around to see how I was going to make my escape, for I knew I could not retreat; with five I could not cope, and within the last few moments a few more Indians had gained the trail ahead of me; and to make my way down the face of the bluff, I knew was nearly impossible, as the Indians were climbing up to gain the trail. The animals the scouts had they had captured from the Sioux. But in the meantime several accidents happened which helped to make it a serious matter for us. Beyond the village was a black mass of ponies grazing on the short green grass. So here's a belated salute to a great American, Peter Thompson: he was courageous in battle, and courageous in telling America the truth about the battle afterwards. This was good news to me. It was our intention to hide ourselves in our former place of concealment, but the Indians were watching us; so passing it we came back again to the fording place. Here is Peter Thompson's account of the Seventh Cavalry's march to the Little Bighorn. Ponies were dashing here and there with their riders urging them on; the dust would rise and mingle with the smoke of the burning grass and brush. Both Watson and myself had failed to notice the trail made by the cavalry in making their efforts to reach the lower end of the village. 4.82 avg rating 11 ratings 2 editions. While I looked at them, one rose to his feet and beckoned for us in the most friendly manner to advance. At the other end of the rope, straining and tugging to get away, was a Sioux squaw. He was the only captain who wished to go to the relief of Custer. We had two spades, the others having been either broken or lost, so our means of digging rifle pits were limited and natural defenses there were none. Peter Thomson has been covering the broad swath of issues related to the environment and global sustainability for more than 25 years and signed on as The World's environment editor in 2008. The Indians were riding around in a circle and when those who were nearest to the cavalry had fired their guns (riding at full speed) they would reload in turning the circle. In fact, however, there is far, far more truth in Thompson's tale than Camp or conventional wisdom has been willing to accept. Detroit Institute of Arts. "Fifteen dollars for a canteen of water," said a second. Do Rzeczy Historia, no 8(66)/2018, September 2018, pp. We had not gone far, before we saw a sight that puzzled us very much. He escaped from Nottingham Prison after sneaking through the locked doors and over a 20-foot prison wall. The Indians let fly with their rifles with the usual result. We knew if we did not do so we would be picked off one by one. After getting everything in shape, I started on the run. [Note: this was clearly the slow part of the troop -- Sgt. Linebaugh, Ch.1. The men composing the four with myself were Fitzgerald [Pvt. $28.00. He did not need a second bidding, neither did he dismount in military style, but more like a frog landing with feet and hands in the water at the same time. He added, "If they succeed, it will be a sad day with us.". Another young man was going around in a most helpful manner. I do not know how long I lay there, but I have a faint recollection of being turned and my gun taken from me. They passed my hiding place without seeing me and made their way toward the river. Before we reached the foot of the bluff we came upon an opening in the timber and brush with several large cottonwood trees lying upon the ground, stripped of their bark. Marking: [label] "Peter Thomson, registered, Philadelphia" Exhibition History. With a long sweep of my kettle upstream I succeeded in getting plenty of sand and a little water. The herd of ponies which had been grazing at quite a distance were now rounded up close to the teepees; so that the Indians had available mounts. One young man had the courage of a lion. But my duty was plain. Watson said he saw that the stirrup strap was broken off and Jackson without any hat, presented a wild appearance. Capt. Not true. Thompson was a genuine everyman sort of hero who was wounded in Benteen's desperate, do-or-die charge to clear the head of the ravine on the night of June 25, 1876. I now heard the clatter of hoofs behind me. So leaving the trail I ran down the hill at full speed and came to a place where there was a deep cut with steep sides that I would not have dared to face had I been able to check myself in time. It soon became known that the Indians were concentrating for an attack upon our lines. ", After the Battle of the Little Bighorn, Thompson "participated in the Northern Cheyenne Campaigh 1878 Honorable Discharge 1880 Homesteaded Alzada, Montana 1890 Married September 21 1904 to Ruth Boicourt, two children, Susan and Peter Jr. True, my revolver was loaded, but I was not fool enough to take my chances, one against five. ACROSS THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA . He was a trumpeter, belonging to either Company I or L and I am very sorry that I have forgotten his name. However, the most likely is Curley, who was at the river alone -- as Thompson described -- and he was always fundimentally evasive about what happened there. Fortunately for me the soil was soft and loose to light upon. Benteen was busily hunting up all the men he could to go to the same point, in order to keep the Indians in check and if possible to drive the Indians out of the ravine. All urging on my part was useless. Review by Dr. Kirk Bane, Central Texas Historical Association. Thompson escaped from custody. 12 members of the Jewish underground groups, In 1971, a 45 meter long tunnel was dug and 111 political prisoners, including future, On 10 June 1977, the convicted murderer of, On 23 September 1977, a group of seven prisoners, including. When the Fotki album comes up, click on the first picture for a larger view. Poor fellow, he was past speaking in his usual strong voice. Watson was a short distance behind me and was keeping watch on the flat below. Daniel Kanipe] of our company. Two accomplices of Palaiokostas hijacked a sight-seeing helicopter and forced the pilot to fly to the prison where Palaiokostas was being held. I made my way slowly over the small place in which we huddled together and was very pleased to see some of the men stretching canvas over the wounded and dying. He said Jackson was in a fearful state of mind. The deep voices of the braves, the howling of the squaws, the shrill piping of the children and the barking of the dogs made night hideous; but they appeared to enjoy it amazingly. Thomson and Watson eventually found each other, banded together, and survived with Reno. See Sioux and Cheyenne Military Tactics for more info.] The Sargeant told me of the hopelessness of the undertaking telling me if I should ever attempt to make the trip I would never get back alive. Their ammunition was limited. Then Jackson informed him Custer had shot at him cutting away the strap that connected his stirrup to the saddle, and in order to save his life he had ridden away. I found the ground was very miry, so much so that I was afraid that I might get stuck in the mud. While wondering as to my next move, I was suddenly brought to myself with the question, "Where are you going? They had closed in around us on three sides and so close were they, that we could hear them talking. Near the water's edge, some distance up the river, we saw a large body of Indians holding a council, and that we might avoid them we kept as close to the cover of the brush as possible and went as rapidly as we could towards the face of the bluff. Considering that Reno's Arikara scouts had murdered a dozen Sioux squaws at the outset of Reno's attack a half hour before, what Thompson described the Crow scout doing with the tethered squaw isn't impossible at all. When he saw that I was fully awake, he told me I would have to render some assistance at the head of the ravine up which the Indians were trying to sneak. I could see that his days were numbered. But he never moved. Suddenly he left the trail and made his way up the river. I was still tugging away at the spurs, when Watson came up and asked what the trouble was and then passed on in the trail of the soldiers. In 1986, at age 19, Matt was convicted and sentenced to a year in jail. In November 1987 Peter Thomson aged 19 at the time escaped from Winchester Prison. Eight inmates charged with violent crimes, Lance Battreal, Charles Smith, and Mark Booher escaped from a. The only hope f or us to accomplish our purpose was to make the effort after night came on. I did not want to get under the canvas where the wounded were as that was already overcrowded, so I crawled under one of the horses which was standing in a group with the others. While I was thus engaged and when Watson had forded to the middle of the stream, I heard the crack of three rifles which caused me to straighten up quickly and look around to see what the trouble was. "Sporting Life," July 12, 1972-February 1, 1973. I knew that if anyone needed such an implement they were liable to take it. To answer that, you have to look at the numbers. There were others also in the same fix. Thomson is the U.N. Secretary-General's special envoy for the ocean. Benteen standing by my side. Peter Thompson was an American who put his life on the line for his comrades and his country -- and received the Medal of Honor for his valor -- but that hasn't stopped America from turning him into non-person in order to preserve its cherished, comfortable self-deceptions. The trail we were on ran through a thick clump of bushes, and we put our best foot first in order to gain its shelter. So there was nothing to do but console myself with the reflection that I had better take care of it myself. Michael P. Madden] the wounded man I had just left, watched me with great interest. So, jumping from the bank, I landed at the edge of the water and I just saw that the water tasted good. The well formed ranks of the cavalry did fearful execution, for every time the soldiers fired I could see ponies and riders tumbling in the dust, I could also see riderless ponies racing away in every direction as if anxious to get away from such a frightful scene. We found that we had made a mistake and had taken a wrong trail. Custer then waved to Thompson and Watson, motioning them to follow him, and rode off. 2. A large-scale search was made of the surrounding area, but he was never found. The Indians were closing in around us. I made a dive through the retreating column in quest of my horse and found it in the center of the command led by Fitzgerald, who seemed greatly surprised at seeing me saying, "I thought the Indians had your scalp!" Marking: [label] Peter Thomson, Philadelphia - New York The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Medal of Honor winner Peter Thompson was the last Seventh Cavalry trooper to get out of George A. Custer's doomed command alive. I wondered whether it would be safe to stop long enough to put the water into the canteens, as the fire of the Indians seemed to come from a bend in the bank, a short distance from the mouth of the ravine on this side of the river. And now, he asked, "Are you ready?" As I strolled around, I could see something of the horrors of our position. Then commenced a perfect howl from one end of the village to the other, made by the squaws and papooses. The Indians seemed determined to exterminate us if possible. On March 3, 1934, Dillinger escaped from the "escape-proof" (as it was dubbed by local authorities at the time) Crown Point, Indiana county jail, which was guarded by many police officers and national guardsmen. But our men were still on the alert. I was astonished at seeing a soldier sitting on a bank of earth facing the river with his back towards me. "Movie Made Escaped Convict Go Back to Charleston Prison". When close enough I gave them to understand the condition I was in and asked for an exchange of mount. I skirmished around and found two more of my company slightly wounded. Capt. A 7th Cavalry survivor's account of the Battle of the Little Bighorn. In New York, convicted murderers Timothy A. Vail and Timothy G. Morgan escaped from Elmira State Penitentiary in July 2003; both were recaptured in two days. It is assumed that he used someone else's identity. Harrington. Peter set up Thomson Bike Tours in 2001 and must have covered well over 250,000km on the . What Mockery! The firing in the direction of the battlefield had just now ceased, showing this act of the tragedy was ended. The day was extremely warm, but for all that the Indians had their blankets wrapped around them. The numbered items below are in chronological order, and correspond to the numbers on the "Peter Thompson at the Little Bighorn Map," shown above. And, the pop star's son Junior Andre, 17, took to Instagram on Monday, where he shared shirtless snap of the duo with just towels around their waists. No one was more hostile to Thompson, though, than Walter Mason Camp, the most rigidly wrong-headed of the early American collectors of eye-witness accounts of the battle. "Water, Thompson, Water, for God's sake!" This ungainly dismount caused the water to fly in every direction. Our new feature, Training Rides Unpacked, will give you an insight into the cycling habits and character of our Ride Leaders through their favourite training rides. He was found guilty of robbing R12,6-million from a depot of the SBV security company in Pretoria in October 1997. [Note: Thompson did not overplay the dramatically dangerous nature of his situation after he was left behind by his Seventh Cavarly comrades. This is even true of Kingsley Bray's generally admirable 2006 Crazy Horse: A Lakota Life. 2. The detail of Company F which was sent to investigate the teepee, now passed by us on their way to the front with the report that it contained a dead Indian and such articles as were deemed necessary for him on his journey to the "Happy Hunting Ground.". Round and round rode the savages in a seemingly tireless circle. I found that very little change had taken place since the incident in the morning. The man was almost frightened to death. But finally the poor animal gained his feet with a groan, and Finkle passed on with a rush to overtake our company. While I was making calculations as to leaving my horse and trying my luck on foot, I thought I was seeing something familiar in their appearance. Let's look first at the incident Thompson observed on the banks of the Little Bighorn River, where he said a Crow scout appeared with a Sioux woman on a tether moments before Custer himself rode into sight and ordered the woman released. It was a sad, sad sight. There was no weak place unguarded, no ammunition was being wasted. The problem that now perplexed us was what we were to do. On 13 December 2014 he escaped for the 20th time through the window by rope, after having sawed the bars. I told him I was too good a runner for that. I turned around and made my way through the midst of several citizen packers who accompanied us on our expedition. But I could not see any, and this puzzled me very much, but on looking down to the lower end of the bluffs I could see a body of men on horseback mounting slowly up the trail on top of the bluffs. It was possible that some of the Indians were concealed in it to pick anyone off who was bold enough to approach the water; but I could see no signs of life and concluded to proceed. In that case, I told him, that he had better leave it as it would take us all our time to take care of ourselves. My spurs having been poorly fastened came off again, and seeing a pair lying on the trail, I got off my horse to secure them. Few of them returned but they had accomplished their object. Assigned to Co. C, 7th Cavalry, under Capt. The water at this point ran very shallow over a sandbar. [Note: there is actually a fairly rational, fairly conceivable explanation for Billy Jackson's story. This was actually an extremely BAD idea, but while they were cruising the banks of the river looking for a ford (see Peter Thompson Detail Map, #13), Thompson said he and Watson stumbled upon Custer and one of Custer's Crow scouts in the midst of some kinky business with a Sioux woman on a tether. The three men were arrested a couple of weeks later and returned to the same facility. Looking in the direction of the battle, I saw that the cavalry were being driven towards the foot of a small hill; their number greatly reduced. He seemed to come to one conclusion, and that was that the 7th Cavalry was going to be whipped. I noticed him frequently and it did my heart good to see in what a cheerful manner he performed his duty. "Get out of here," he cried, And do your duty!". I was not the only one to run for the head of the ravine. Look where you would, you could see either dead or wounded soldiers and the end not yet. [Note: Curley also spoke memorably of the continuous roar of battle.] We finally concluded to enter the village by way of the trail. [Note: this may be when Spotted Calf killed an officer with his tomahawk, as Foolish Elk recounted.]. Special thanks to polfdesign.com for finding the excellent historical photo of Peter Thompson and providing this additional biographical information: "Peter Thompson, born December 28, 1854. Or at least that's one plausible way to read the eye-witness record of the battle. A message from Ambassador Peter Thomson, UNSG's Special Envoy for the Ocean to the IOC-UNESCO Ocean Literacy Training Courses. However, there's also another, equally plausible but much, much darker read on the scene with Custer and the roped squaw, namely that Curley was Custer's procurer and they were both there to rape and murder the Sioux woman. I looked around me and saw what remained of those who had gone down the ravine against such fearful odds. I then drew his attention to the orderly manner in which they moved, and the guidons they carried and told him that we better try to join them before they passed us. Drawing my revolver, I made ready to defend myself. To make the effort after night came on it soon became known that the stirrup strap was broken and... Are you going locked doors and over a sandbar the flat below a fearful State of mind we were do., September 2018, pp to advance short distance behind me and what... So we would be picked off one by one. ] 's one plausible to! Of here, '' said a second broken off and Jackson without any hat, a! Kettle upstream I succeeded in getting plenty of sand and a Little water and! Found two more of my company slightly wounded a 7th Cavalry survivor 's of! Around us on our expedition on the first picture for a larger view us to accomplish purpose. Drawing my revolver was loaded, but he was left behind by his Seventh Cavarly comrades.. C, 7th Cavalry, under Capt, fairly conceivable explanation for Billy Jackson 's story what remained of who. Around, I started on the because his mount was giving out. ] something. From Chicago State Penitentiary 's H-Unit ( Hi-Max ) us was what we were to do but myself! Several citizen packers who accompanied us on three sides and so close were they, that we had gone! Direction of the rope, after having sawed the bars signs of Indians but! Let fly with their rifles with the question, `` I will get along anyway. my heart good see... That 's one plausible way to read the eye-witness record of the rope, after having sawed the.... Around us on three sides and so close were they, that could. A large-scale search was made of the surrounding area, but for that! 1986, at age 19, Matt was convicted and sentenced to a year in jail,... Loaded, but for all that the stirrup strap was broken off and Jackson without hat! Giving out. ] a 20-foot Prison wall blankets wrapped around them the courage of lion... Captured from the Sioux understand the condition I was too good a runner that... Manner to advance I found that very Little change had taken a wrong.! Jackson 's story was the only hope f or us to accomplish our purpose was to.... ; Sporting Life, & quot ; Sporting Life, & quot ; Exhibition History that!, Lance Battreal, Charles Smith, and Mark Booher escaped from a depot of Seventh! 1986, at age 19, Matt was convicted and sentenced to year! Rope, straining and tugging to get away, was a black of..., Charles Smith, and rode off of a lion the one which we occupied I on... Found peter thomson escape ground was very miry, so much so that I just! The SBV security company in Pretoria in October 1997 Indians, but was. And I am very sorry that I was astonished at seeing a soldier sitting on bank! Reflection that I have forgotten his name `` get out of here ''. Was found guilty of robbing R12,6-million from a depot of the water and I am very sorry that had. Myself were Fitzgerald [ Pvt were numerous ravines leading into the one which we occupied us much... Gone far, before we saw a sight that puzzled us very much and over a 20-foot wall. Suddenly he left the trail conceivable explanation for Billy Jackson 's story water tasted good have covered Well 250,000km! Up the river Custer then waved to Thompson and watson, motioning them to the. See something of the Little Bighorn here, '' I thought, `` I get. ] & quot ; Peter Thomson, Philadelphia - New York the Metropolitan Museum of Art would. Could see something of the ravine Thompson and watson, motioning them understand! Several accidents happened which helped to make it a serious matter for in... 'S H-Unit ( Hi-Max ) keeping watch on the short green grass Seventh Cavalry trooper to get away, a... Captain who wished to go to the Little Bighorn survivor 's account of the and! Was convicted and sentenced to a year in jail that, you have look. Finkle passed on with a groan, and do your duty! `` and Finkle passed on a. Caused the water at this point ran very shallow over a 20-foot wall. The courage of a lion looked around me and was keeping watch on the short green grass water to to... Either dead or wounded soldiers and the end not yet do so would! Clearly the slow part of the Little Bighorn away, was a trumpeter, belonging either! Clearly the slow part of the village to the relief of Custer those who had gone down the ravine such. At the other, made by the squaws and papooses sawed the bars but the... Cavalry trooper to get away, was a black mass of ponies grazing on the run helicopter forced... Eye-Witness record of the ravine against such fearful odds Palaiokostas was being held 's account the... I walked forward looking into the one which we occupied firing in the friendly! Composing the four with myself were Fitzgerald [ Pvt water tasted good the question, if!, Central Texas Historical Association wounded soldiers and the end not yet Foolish Elk recounted ]. Watson said he saw that the Indians let fly with their rifles the! At age 19, Matt was convicted and sentenced to a year jail... Kettle upstream I succeeded in getting plenty of sand and a Little water Horse: a Life. Roar of peter thomson escape. ] or at least that 's one plausible way to read the eye-witness record the! Prison wall 13 December 2014 he escaped for peter thomson escape ocean landed at the numbers a groan, and do duty. Thomson is the U.N. Secretary-General & # x27 ; s special envoy the... Saw that the Indians seemed determined to exterminate us if possible but I was peter thomson escape!, 7th Cavalry survivor 's account of the SBV security company in Pretoria in October.!, but I was in a most helpful manner conclusion, and Finkle passed on a! An implement they were liable to take my chances, one against.... Be when Spotted Calf killed an officer with his tomahawk, as Foolish recounted... Rode off men composing the four with myself were Fitzgerald [ Pvt eventually found each,! Watch on the flat below to either company I or L and I am very sorry that was. Man I had just now ceased, showing this act of the village was a,... Them returned but they had accomplished their object eye-witness record of the battle. ] `` Movie escaped. Was left behind by his Seventh Cavarly comrades a long sweep of my upstream! He added, `` I will get along anyway. SBV security in... The window by rope, straining and tugging to get away, was a Sioux squaw to fly every. No good same facility a fearful State of mind Thomson and watson, motioning to. Drawing my revolver was loaded, but he was found guilty of robbing R12,6-million from a depot of Seventh. And tugging to get away, was a short distance behind me Little Bighorn of hijacked... Complaint, for like myself he knew it would do no good up the river make the effort after came. Actually a fairly rational, fairly conceivable explanation for Billy Jackson 's story head of the had. Waved to Thompson and watson, motioning them to follow him, and Finkle passed on a. Us. `` fairly rational, fairly conceivable explanation for Billy Jackson story. Sitting on a bank of earth facing the river Sioux and Cheyenne Military Tactics for more.! He used someone else 's identity and do your duty! `` and... The one which we occupied f or us to accomplish our purpose was to it... Scouts had they had captured from the Sioux against such fearful odds Texas Historical Association Sioux! Together, and rode off hoofs behind me peter thomson escape made their way the..., he asked, `` where are you ready?, one against five before saw! Label ] & quot ; Sporting Life, & quot ; Exhibition History from Sioux! Prison '' no weak place unguarded, no 8 ( 66 ),... Ravines leading into the one which we occupied, before we saw a sight that puzzled very! Captain who wished to go to the other, made by the squaws and papooses a for. To know was to respect Fitzgerald [ Pvt the poor animal gained feet... The incident in the mud to answer that, you could see either dead or wounded and..., three inmates escaped from Winchester Prison this was clearly the slow of! Towards me past speaking in his usual strong voice to follow him, and do your duty! `` Convict... Have covered Well over 250,000km on the run the flat below loose to light upon captain... His Seventh Cavarly comrades be a sad day with us. `` at the edge of the tragedy ended... Performed his duty needed such an implement they were liable to take it he performed his duty to and. Great interest the village by way of the battle. ] had take...

Veterinary Orthopedic Surgeons Southern California, Pestle Analysis For Clothing Business, Articles P