984

HISTORY OF THE ORPHAN BRIGADE.

tion that he was apt to be made one of almost every special detail for more than ordinarily important and dangerous work.

After the battle of Mission Ridge, in which his regiment took a notable part, and was made, in connection with the First Cavalry, the mounted rearguard, Col. Breckinridge ordered Rudy to take command of a detachment of picked men and remain in the rear of the two cavalry regiments.   He was to make a show of resistance at every proper point, and so retard the pursuing Federal advance that the main mounted force, with the infantry rearguard in easy supporting distance ahead, could move deliberately and successfully curtain the operations of the main army in its attempt not only to withdraw in an orderly manner, but remove all its transportation and stores.   This was the forenoon of November 26.   The instructions were faithfully carried out till late in the afternoon, when he was ordered to withdraw his detachment, as the enemy was moving on another road, and was now on its flank as well as rear.   Here he displayed not only coolness, but excellent judgment and skill. Though a Federal force was almost on the point of enveloping the road on which he was marching and cutting off retreat, he succeeded, by a bold dash and the firing of a volley, in so confusing the enemy that the detachment was not fired upon until almost within the lines of a strong body of the rearguard, infantry and cavalry, drawn up to check this flank movement.   Three of his men were wounded, but none killed, and he was complimented by the commanding officer.   After nightfall, when the Federals, outnumbering the Confederate rearguard four to one, found it unadvisable to advance, and were preparing to bivouac, this detachment was again ordered to take position in the extreme rear and remain until ordered to move. When the order came, information came also that a division of the Federal army had interposed itself between Bragg's main army and the infantry and cavalry above referred to that were trying to cover the retreat, and that the chances of Rudy's little band were desperate. He withdrew silently, crossed the Chickamauga river, and found things in confusion; but his men were steady, and he was preparing to burn the bridge when Gen. Gist, commanding the rearguard, two brigades of infantry (his own and Maney's), two batteries, and the First and Ninth Kentucky Cavalry, sent for him and told him to try to make his way out, and, if successful, to see Bragg, Hardee, or Breckinridge   whichever he could find   to describe the situation and ask help.   He succeeded in finding Hardee, only to learn that it was impossible for him to give relief.    On his replying to a question from the general that he believed he could find his way back to Gist, he was told to carry the discouraging message, with direction to Gist to surrender if he could not make his way to Ringgold by daylight. He set out, the night being