I came across this article in the Press Gazette, Hillsboro, Ohio June 3, 1941 that I thought may be of interest to researchers. The newspaper has the name as Rugsdale, but when I checked two roster sites they both had the names as Ragsdale.

I HAVE NO CONNECTION TO THIS SURNAME AND HAVE NO OTHER INFORMATION.

The Press Gazette
Hillsboro, Ohio
June 3, 1941

Survivor of Custer’s ‘Last Stand’ In Resident Here


John S. Rugsdale, one of the four survivors of Custer’s Massacre, who lives in Hillsboro, is a 91-years-old and spry as most men at 40. Never before has John made a statement or talked about the famous last stand of General Geo. Custer.

“I always kept it to myself, as most people wouldn’t believe such thing every happened,” John said “but all they would have to do is check on any statements I might have made in Washington and they would soon learn I spoke the truth.”

Upon being questioned about the famed battle, John related every detain from the day the 7th Calvary of the U. S. Army left Powder River, Montana, until help arrived and the battle was over.

He related how the land sloped, the names of the three Indian scouts, “Moose, Bloody Knife and Yellow Face,” who guided the regiment. How they ran short of ammunition after nearly two days fighting and sharpened their bowie knife on the gunbarrels and met the Indians, who out-numbered them at least 30 to 1, face to face, how the Indians turned and fled in fright when they saw a member of their tribe slashed to ribbons. All of the details were included in John S. Rugsdale’s description of the last stand.

John owns a picture of Gen. Custer and his wife. He praised his former commander very highly, and added “Custer wouldn’t ask his men to go and do anything that he wouldn’t do himself.” He told how Mrs. Custer was admired by every man in the regiment, and that they came to call her the “mother of the regiment.”

The former Indian fighter stands six feet two inches tall, weights 158 pounds. At the time of the massacre he topped the scales around 180. He has numerous red curls thickly matted on his head, with here and there faint traces of gray showing through. He is very active and spends considerable time walking and enjoying the warm sunshine. Unlike most army men, John doesn’t smoke.

Today John is a widower, his wife having died fifteen years ago. He has one son, now working in Dayton, Ohio. He has resided in Hillsboro since last August, making his home here with William Raines, 341 E. Walnut street. Previous to this he lived in Dayton. He was born in Elizabethtown, Ky., December 9, 1849, became a member of the famed Custer regiment at the age of 22 and was 26 years old when the mostly deadly of all Indian battles was fought.



Note: According "Friends of Little Big Horn" and 7th Calvary roster, John Samuel Ragsdale was born Dec. 25, 1850 in Elizabethtown, Ky and Died Dec. 4, 1942 in Dayton, Ohio. The reason he survived the Battle of Little Big Horn was that he was on detached service. He was Company A, with the rank of Private, enlistment date: June 20, 1872

http://www.friendslittlebighorn.com/7th%20Cav%20Muster%20Rol...