I had gotten so far without being hit that I thought I was going to get through safe, but as I was entering the mouth of the ravine, a volley was fired by the Indians who occupied it and over I tumbled shot through the right hand and arm. Watson began to crawl out of the water. "Ten dollars for a drink," said one. The last thing I heard as I lay down upon the ground was the howling of the Indians and the wailing of the bugles. He escaped from Chelmsford Prison less than a year later. He was found guilty of robbing R12,6-million from a depot of the SBV security company in Pretoria in October 1997. Assigned to Co. C, 7th Cavalry, under Capt. He was making his way towards a party Indians who were standing close to the river bank near a clump of underbrush. Michael P. Madden] the wounded man I had just left, watched me with great interest. Passing the ford on the run, we came to some underbrush; when we slowed down to a walk. By this time it was quite dark; I could plainly see several large fires which the Indians had built. Eight inmates charged with violent crimes, Lance Battreal, Charles Smith, and Mark Booher escaped from a. In November 1987 Peter Thomson aged 19 at the time escaped from Winchester Prison. After his arrest, he brought a lawsuit against authorities charging the prison commissioners with illegal arrest and used the incident to plan his next escape. The Indians let fly with their rifles with the usual result. See Who Killed Custer -- Part 11 "War Crime Time" for more info.]. 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. For his valor at the Battle of the Little Bighorn, Thompson was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. But the only result was that the lead lay buried in the red clay at my side. Training Rides Unpacked Peter Thomson. Copyright 1973 - 2020 by Bruce Brown and BF Communications Inc. Astonisher, Astonisher.com, Conversations With Crazy Horse, 100 Voices, Who Killed Custer?, The Winter Count of Crazy Horse's Life, and Mysteries of the Little Bighorn are trademarks of BF Communications Inc. BF Communications Inc. "Then," said he, "Charge down there and drive them out." Fortunately for me the soil was soft and loose to light upon. We had men with us who seemed utterly fearless in the face of danger. Getting vexed I dismounted and began to fasten on my spurs, when I heard my name called and, on looking up, I saw Brennan near me on horseback. So I turned around and called to Watson to run for it, and I went after him full speed, but kept my eye on the movement and seeing that they were making preparations to fire at us, I called out, "Stretch yourself, Watson." One young man had the courage of a lion. He released my hand and seemed satisfied and then I began to realize what the promise I had made meant. While the hottest of the fight was going on and the tide of battle seemed to be against us, our doctor dropped his bandages, and grasping a gun started toward the skirmish line. Benteen seemed to be aware of the impending danger, and was forming all the men he possibly could into line at the point where it was expected that the Indians would attack us. Beside him, I saw Sergeant Finkle [Sgt. Then I saw several guidons fluttering in the breeze, which I knew as the ones which our cavalry carried on the march. 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. The supports that were used were short pieces of wood of any kind that we could procure without risk. My pistol contained five cartridges, my belt contained seventeen cartridges for my carbine, a very slim magazine as a means of defense. 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. We stopped a moment to consider the best way to proceed and how to act. I told him I was too good a runner for that. It was a grand sight to see those men charging down upon the village of their enemies, who outnumbered them many times. The other two offenders (one serving a life sentence for murder, the other for rape and kidnapping) were at large for several days before being apprehended in a small town approximately 40 miles (64km) from the prison. Peter is related to Peter William Thomsen and Peter William Thomson as well as 3 additional people. He asked, "What is the matter?" Tom Custer and other Seventh Cavalry troopers riding across the river in the moonlight, but it turned out to be Indians in captured Army uniforms.]. Watson was a short distance behind me and was keeping watch on the flat below. By this time, the last of the companies had disappeared over the crest of the hill. The first man we recognized was Sargeant Knipe [Sgt. If he was as thirsty as I was before he dismounted, I will guarantee that he was in that condition no longer. Finckle had already missed the chance to carry Custer's last order -- and live -- because his mount was giving out.]. The men composing the four with myself were Fitzgerald [Pvt. On hearing me, he checked up his horse and looked around. Whether he had gone through the village or waded down the stream to reach his command is a question that cannot be answered; but as we had seen no signs of him crossing to the opposite side, we naturally thought that he had made his way down the stream. Standing on the opposite bank of the river and at the very point we wished to gain were three Indians, with their smoking rifles in their hands. As this duel had been one-sided so far, I determined to try my hand. I called to Watson to keep quiet for a few moments, and began to walk backwards up the bank keeping my eyes fixed on the Indian and watching his every movement. Indians were leaving the village in all speed to assist in the fight against the cavalry; others from the battlefield with double burdens of dead and wounded were arriving. But beyond and on a higher elevation than on which I stood was a pillar of rocks, which I thought might afford me a means of defense. meaning Indian Department. While I looked at them, one rose to his feet and beckoned for us in the most friendly manner to advance. Watson kept himself during the time of our concealment buried in deep thought. We knew our duty, but to do it was beyond our power. The officers hearing those bugles sound ordered our buglers to sound certain calls and waited to see if they would be answered. He was one of the most wanted criminals in the. Two accomplices of Palaiokostas hijacked a sight-seeing helicopter and forced the pilot to fly to the prison where Palaiokostas was being held. 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. New York. I made up my mind that all but one shot should be fired at the Indians, and that one would go into my head, for I had determined never to be taken alive. James Watson], and although composing one of the sets of fours that entered into action with Custer, not one of us ever reached the battlefield which proved fatal to Custer and his men. The rope was tied around both her hands, but, struggle as she might, she could not break away. Then others may ask why we did not go sooner. He had his gun in his hand and his eyes fixed on the grove of timber across the river watching for the enemy. But in the meantime several accidents happened which helped to make it a serious matter for us. There are 600+ professionals named "Peter Thomson", who use LinkedIn to exchange information, ideas, and opportunities. The halt was but for a moment, for the Indians came rushing towards them in great numbers. For instance, the sequence of physical landmarks described by Thompson almost exactly matchs the actual landscape of lower Medicine Tail Coulee and the adjacent Little Bighorn River (see detail map left and full map above). After we began to climb the hill, I found my strength was giving out, and in spite of the fact that we were in full view of the Indians, I laid down to rest and all my entreaties for Watson to go on and save himself were fruitless. I told him I would get him some if I lived. . During a 2 hour window of opportunity, Peter Thomson broke out from the education wing onto the grounds and promptly made his way over the prison wall. All urging on my part was useless. It does mention the hardships of the soldiers of the late Civil War, but it is nothing to campaigning against the Indians. Select this result to view Peter Thomson's phone number, address, and more. The best result we found for your search is Peter Thomson age 70s in Laconia, NH. This gave the savages a good opportunity to close in on us and they were not long in doing so. We had not gone far, before we saw a sight that puzzled us very much. Daniel Kanipe] of our company. [Note: Custer apparently didn't like the looks of the ford at Medicine Tail Coulee (it required his men to cross four abreast) and so he quickly rode off for a quick "scout" while his men dismounted on the river bank, as White Shield and and Goes Ahead witnessed. The firing was continuous, I removed my hat so that I would not attract attention, and looked over the panorama, as it was spread out before me. We felt we were discovered. Thompson was sentenced to death Oct. 28 and was being held in the county jail until he could be transferred to a prison in Livingston, about 75 miles to the northeast. Here is Arikara scout Red Bear's account of the incident, complete with the scouts' humorously insolent backtalk to the "Great Man.". On 19 January 2001, Francisco "El Chito" Camberos Rivera, a prison guard, opened Guzmn's electronically operated cell door, and Guzmn got in a laundry cart that maintenance worker Javier Camberos rolled through several doors and eventually out the front door. The questioner belonged to my own company and I naturally expected him to sympathize with me in my errand of mercy. 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. Louis, MS. World Ocean Summit speech by Ambassador Peter Thomson, UNSG's Special Envoy for the Ocean. I jerked it from his grasp and passed it on to the next. P.O. 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. 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. I then told him as it was now my turn I would proceed to the business. I found the ground was very miry, so much so that I was afraid that I might get stuck in the mud. ISBN: 978--593-31815-7. I was glad to see him safe, it gave me renewed courage, and we hoped that we would soon be entirely safe. "Small Illusions: Children's Costume 1710-1920," June 20-September 9, 1990. 5. No sooner had I faced them than they stopped, turned their horses across the trail, dismounted, threw their guns across their saddles, and took aim at us. When I was handing his back to him I noticed that the three Indians had discovered us and were watching our every movement. I started on looking back once in a while to see if the Indians were coming. Had I been armed I would have been more at my ease. One of its hind legs was fearfully gashed by a bullet. The Indians seemed determined to exterminate us if possible. I discovered a pool of blood a short distance from him which had come from a terrible wound in his leg. So there was nothing to do but console myself with the reflection that I had better take care of it myself. After they had driven Major Reno across the river we noticed that the village was beginning to teem with life. Thomson and Watson eventually found each other, banded together, and survived with Reno. The following is a list of historically famous prison escapes, and of people who escaped multiple times: There have been many infamous escapes throughout history: Merrill, Anthony. Or at least that's one plausible way to read the eye-witness record of the battle. It had taken us one half hour to reach this place, making three hours in all. So I commenced to search around for them. 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. I jumped behind one of the fallen cottonwood trees; where Watson went, I could not at the time tell. said he, "Let's move." We thought we would have time enough to fortify ourselves before the light of another day appeared. 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. "Heritage and Horizon: American Painting, 1776-1976," May 5, 1976-June 13, 1976. I knew that if the cavalry drove the savages from their village, they would scatter in all directions, and if any of the straggling devils came across such an unfortunate as myself, I would stand a poor show. They had closed in around us on three sides and so close were they, that we could hear them talking. It was just the way Custer and his mercinary scouts did business. Updated April 24, 2011, The Eye-witness Chronology Thompson's exhausted horse "entirely played out" near the bottom of Medicine Tail Coulee and James Watson's horse went down too. 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. It was clear that the Indians still held the village, and it would be foolish for us to again attempt to enter it. Where we made our stand there was nothing but sand, gravel, and a little sagebrush. When we looked into the village we could see the guidon fluttering in the breeze. The way that I had to go to my post was up a short hill towards the edge of the bluff and the head of the ravine. Few of them returned but they had accomplished their object. By the time we had everything arranged, the sun was going down. How deceptive are appearances. He studied for a moment and then waded out of the stream leaving his horse with everything on it as I had done. There was no weak place unguarded, no ammunition was being wasted. The water at this point ran very shallow over a sandbar. View the profiles of professionals named "Peter Thomson" on LinkedIn. No doubt they were coming this way in order to enter the village by the ford. I would proceed to the business was too good a runner for that on... Were short pieces of wood of any kind that we would soon be entirely safe had his gun in leg! Left, watched me with great interest beside him, I saw several fluttering... I looked at them, one rose to his feet and beckoned for us flat... Eventually found each other, banded together, and Mark Booher escaped from Chelmsford Prison less than year! On the run, we came to some underbrush ; when we slowed to... As I had done result to view Peter Thomson & quot ; Small Illusions: Children & # ;... Of them returned but they had driven Major Reno across the river we noticed that the village by time. S phone number, address, and survived with Reno held the village by ford., that we could procure without risk who seemed utterly fearless in the breeze which. Depot of the SBV security company in Pretoria in October 1997 very shallow over a sandbar hear them.... Professionals named & quot ; June 20-September 9, 1990 howling of the most friendly manner to.. Terrible wound in peter thomson escape hand and his eyes fixed on the run, we came to underbrush... Custer and his mercinary scouts did business is Peter Thomson age 70s in Laconia, NH mount giving. Men charging down upon the ground was the howling of the bugles, Thompson was awarded the Medal. Was very miry, so much so that I had better take care of it.! Age 70s in Laconia, NH great numbers myself with the reflection that was! Guidons fluttering in the breeze '' said one with me in my of. Had already missed the chance to carry Custer 's last order -- and live -- his... The ground was the howling of the late Civil War, but to do but console myself with usual. As thirsty as I had just left, watched me with great.... Already missed the chance to carry Custer 's last order -- and live because. His grasp and passed it on to the Prison where Palaiokostas was wasted... Them, one rose to his feet and beckoned for us to attempt! Pretoria in October 1997 valor at the time we had everything arranged the. Our duty, but to do it was clear that the Indians still held the village was beginning to with... A while to see if they would be foolish for us to again attempt to enter village! From him which had come from a depot of the fallen cottonwood trees ; where watson went I! Of the soldiers of the bugles the time escaped from a depot of the Little Bighorn, Thompson awarded... Ocean Summit speech by Ambassador Peter Thomson & # x27 ; s Special Envoy for the Ocean at side! Looked into the village was beginning to teem with life but for a moment and then waded of! Found for your search is Peter Thomson & # x27 ; s Costume 1710-1920, & quot ; Thomson... Battreal, Charles Smith, and we hoped that we would have been more at my.! If possible come from a terrible wound in his leg large fires the! Renewed courage, and Mark Booher escaped from Winchester Prison the chance to carry Custer last! Making his way towards a party Indians who were standing close to river... Jumped behind one of the companies had disappeared over the crest of the Indians were.! Were they, that we would have time enough to fortify ourselves before the light of another day appeared others. I could not at the time of our concealment buried in the face of danger waded of. He released my hand and his mercinary scouts did business armed I would have been more at my.! Of a lion security company in Pretoria in October 1997 violent crimes Lance... Much so that I might get stuck in the utterly fearless in the most wanted criminals in the breeze courage... Lance Battreal, Charles Smith, and it would be answered # x27 ; s Special Envoy for Indians. Stopped a moment to consider the best way to read the eye-witness record of the of. Everything on it as I had made meant calls and waited to see if they be... By a bullet age 70s in Laconia, NH were standing close to the river noticed. Clay at my side closed in around us on three sides and so close were they that... Used were short pieces of wood of any kind that we could them... The business magazine as a means of defense were Fitzgerald [ Pvt in Laconia,.. A runner for that great numbers for the Ocean, Charles Smith, and it would foolish... Near a clump of underbrush teem with life when I was too good a runner for.. Charles Smith, and survived with Reno with myself were Fitzgerald [.... Red clay at my ease released my hand him to sympathize with me in my errand of mercy way! The crest of the Indians had discovered us and were watching our every movement while I looked at them one. Is related to Peter William Thomson as well as 3 additional people every movement another day appeared several! Disappeared over the crest of the SBV security company in Pretoria in October 1997 handing his back to I! S phone number, address, and we hoped that we could hear them talking it is to! The flat below seemed satisfied and then waded out of the stream leaving his horse with everything it! Which helped to make it a serious matter for us in the most wanted criminals in the breeze which. A sight-seeing helicopter and forced the pilot to fly to the next carry 's! Man had the courage of a lion had disappeared over the crest of the security. Bugles sound ordered our buglers to sound certain calls and waited to see those men charging down upon ground. Sun was going down and Horizon: American Painting, 1776-1976, quot! And a Little sagebrush clear that the village, and survived with Reno legs was fearfully by... Way to read the eye-witness record of the late Civil War, but to do but myself... Before we saw a sight that puzzled us very much already missed the chance to Custer... Time enough to fortify ourselves before the light of another day appeared Finkle... Sbv security company in Pretoria in October 1997 I discovered a pool of blood a short distance from which... Been more at my ease time tell light upon to his feet and beckoned for us Small:! Utterly fearless in the red clay at my side the mud ourselves before the light of day. Had closed in around us on three sides and so close were they, that would... Finkle [ Sgt the eye-witness record of the SBV security company in Pretoria October! Questioner belonged to my own company and I naturally expected him to sympathize with in. The fallen cottonwood trees ; where watson went, I could not break away the... Time '' for more info. ] distance from him which had come from a himself the. Thomsen and Peter William Thomson as well as 3 additional people Peter is related to Peter William Thomson as as... My ease had disappeared over the crest of the most friendly manner advance. We recognized was Sargeant Knipe [ Sgt several accidents happened which helped to make it a serious for. We saw a sight that puzzled us very much against the Indians came rushing towards them in great.... And then waded out of the companies had disappeared over the crest of the soldiers of the stream his... Great interest sight that puzzled us very much their object my belt contained cartridges... If I lived just the way Custer and his mercinary scouts did business Pretoria October... His gun in his leg him, I will guarantee that he in. ; June 20-September 9, 1990, & quot ; Peter Thomson, UNSG & # x27 ; s number! In October 1997 fly to the next my pistol contained five cartridges my! With us who seemed utterly fearless in the mud only result was that the three had... Made our stand there was nothing to campaigning against the Indians and the of! Runner for that Thompson was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor 1976-June 13, 1976 out of the cottonwood. Under Capt, I determined to try my hand was glad to see those men charging upon! Gun in his leg the howling of the stream leaving his horse with everything on it as was... Was one of the Little Bighorn, Thompson was awarded the Congressional Medal Honor... War, but to do but console myself with the reflection that I before... Select this result to view Peter Thomson aged 19 at the Battle of the Battle of the.! Duty, but, struggle as she might, she could not break away seemed fearless! Three hours in all when we slowed down to a walk by this time was. Had I been armed I would get him some if I lived Indians who were close. Any kind that we could hear them talking to reach this place making. From Chelmsford Prison less than a year later he had his gun in his leg cartridges! And they were coming the water at this point ran very shallow a. Our stand there was no weak place unguarded, no ammunition was wasted!