The Escape to Colter

his timeline chronicles the events following the Van der Linde gang's escape to Colter, detailing their desperate struggle for survival and subsequent flight from the snow-covered mountains of Ambarino.

Phase 1: The Retreat and Arrival (Early June 1899)

A brutal blizzard rages as the Van der Linde gang, fleeing the disastrous Blackwater ferry robbery, seeks refuge in the Grizzlies. At Reverend Swanson's insistence, Dutch sends Arthur Morgan ahead to locate shelter. Arthur returns with news of an abandoned mining town, Colter, offering a temporary haven. The gang arrives, exhausted, and a severely wounded Davey Callander dies shortly after in the arms of his comrades. Dutch, though strained, delivers a powerful motivational speech, attempting to rally the gang and assure them the law wouldn't pursue them in such a storm. He then dispatches Arthur and himself to scout for supplies.

Phase 2: The Struggle for Survival

Following their scouting mission, Dutch and Arthur encounter Micah Bell, who directs them to a nearby homestead. They discover the homestead belongs to the rival O'Driscoll Boys gang, leading to a shootout. During a brawl with an O'Driscoll, they uncover a planned train robbery. After the fight, they find a terrified woman named Sadie Adler hiding in the cellar. The house catches fire, leaving Sadie homeless. Dutch, Arthur, and Micah offer her protection, and she joins them on their return to Colter. Arthur also acquires a Tennessee Walker horse from the O'Driscoll barn.

Meanwhile, Abigail Roberts expresses concern for John Marston, who has not returned from a scouting mission. She persuades Arthur and Javier Escuella to search for him. Their conversation reveals increasing tension and distrust after the Blackwater Massacre, with Javier defending Dutch's actions and expressing surprise at their escape. They find John's horse mauled and hear his cries for help. They locate him injured and bleeding from a wolf attack and carry him back to their horses, fighting off more wolves on their way to camp. Upon his return, John is bedridden and nursed back to health by Abigail.

With food supplies dwindling, Pearson informs Arthur that the camp is facing starvation. Arthur and Charles Smith embark on a hunting trip for provisions. They successfully track and kill two deer with their bows, loading the carcasses onto their horses. During their hunt, they encounter a bear. Charles advises Arthur to avoid it, but Arthur decides whether or not to hunt it. They return to camp with the deer, which Pearson butchers to feed the gang.

Phase 3: The Assault on the O'Driscoll Camp

After an argument between Micah and Bill escalates, Dutch intervenes, channeling their aggression towards Colm O'Driscoll. Dutch, Arthur, Bill, Micah, Javier, and Lenny then embark on a mission to raid a nearby O'Driscoll camp, seeking information about a planned train robbery. En route, Dutch recounts the history of his blood feud with Colm, who murdered his lover, Annabelle, prompting Arthur to question Dutch's true motives.

Upon reaching the camp, they discover Colm O'Driscoll present but choose to prioritize their initial objective. A gunfight ensues, and the gang successfully seizes control of the camp, discovering plans for the train robbery and explosives. During their return journey, Arthur captures an O'Driscoll named Kieran Duffy, who is brought back to their camp and secured in the barn for interrogation.

Phase 4: The Departure: The Cornwall Train Heist

To escape their difficult situation, Dutch proposes a train robbery. He details the plan to the gang, dismissing Hosea's worries about robbing Leviticus Cornwall, a powerful oil magnate. Bill and Arthur's attempt to detonate explosives fails, forcing the gang to pursue the train on horseback. Arthur and Lenny successfully board the train, though Javier is wounded in a fall. They fight their way to the engine car and stop the train.

Once the train is stopped, the rest of the gang catches up. They use dynamite to open a strongbox car, finding bonds inside. The passengers are forced out, and Dutch gives Arthur the choice to spare or kill them, impacting his honor. With the bonds secured, the gang has the necessary resources to escape the mountains.

The train robbery signals their departure from Colter as they head east towards the more hospitable lands of Horseshoe Overlook. During the journey, Arthur and Hosea's wagon loses a wheel after crossing a stream, prompting Charles and Bill to stay behind and help. While fixing the wagon, Hosea notices Native Americans observing them from a nearby cliff. After the wagon is repaired, they continue their journey and eventually reach their new camp.