- More
Battle of Little Bighorn Survivor, Lt. Charles DeRudio, 7th Cavalry, Figural Cane. ...
Click the image to load the highest resolution version.
$3,418 or more
View Recent Offers on Sold Items in this category
Description
Battle of Little Bighorn Survivor, Lt. Charles DeRudio, 7th Cavalry, Figural Cane. The bamboo shaft of this cane is mounted at the top with a finely carved wood figural Moor's head. The shaft and head are connected by an engraved fitted coin silver band that has the numeral "7" between crossed cavalry sabers and that reads, "25 June / 1876 / Captain C. C. de Rudio / U.S.A.". The head depicts a turbaned Moor with a flowing beard and mustache very similar to those worn by DeRudio. The turban has an inlaid silver crescent. The overall length of the cane is 35.5" and it retains the original ferrule. Light wear, thus very fine.The cane was presented to Little Bighorn survivor Captain Charles Camillo DeRudio of the 7th Cavalry. He was born Carlo di Rudio in Belluno, Italy, the son of Count and Countess Aquila di Rudio. As a teenager, he attended an Austrian military academy in Milan. At the age of 15, di Rudio joined Giuseppe Garibaldi's Red Shirts during the uprising in 1848, and was given the nickname "Moretto" [The Little Moor], for his dark complexion. When the revolutionaries were unsuccessful, di Rudio fled to the United States. When his ship sank off the Spanish coast, di Rudio made his way to England. While there Italian revolutionaries recruited di Rudio in a plot to help assassinate Emperor Napoleon III of France for failing to follow through with a pledge of support for Italian nationalists. In January 1858 the assassination attempt took place, with di Rudio and his accomplices threw three bombs at the royal carriage. Eight people and a horse were killed and one hundred and fifty injured. di Rudio was arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment on Devil's Island. Several months later, he escaped from the prison and made their way to British Guiana. In 1860 di Rudio made his to New York City, anglicized his name to "Charles DeRudio," and joined the 79th New York Volunteers ("Highlanders"). In 1864 he was commissioned second lieutenant, 2nd U. S. Colored Infantry. DeRudio received appointment to the 7th Cavalry in July 1869, as a 37-year-old second lieutenant. Initially, he was assigned to Company H, commanded by Captain Frederick Benteen who nicknamed DeRudio "Count No Account" because of his boastful story-telling and haughty manner. He was promoted by seniority to first lieutenant. On June 25, 1876, DeRudio was with Company A and crossed the Little Bighorn River as part of Major Marcus Reno's battalion. His company dismounted and fought in skirmish line. Under pressure from growing numbers of warriors, Reno ordered a retreat back across the river, where DeRudio lost his horse and was left behind in the timber on the western bank. For thirty-six hours, DeRudio remained hidden while witnessing the mutilation of dead soldiers. In the early hours of June 27, he was finally able to cross the river, joining the Reno and Benteen command on Reno Hill. DeRudio continued service with the 7th Cavalry, was promoted to captain on December 17, 1882 and retiring on August 26, 1896, in the grade of major.
Auction Info
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
19.5% of the successful bid (minimum $14) per lot.
Calculate Standard Domestic Shipping Sales Tax information
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms
Floor auctions
Open for bidding: (View All)Decorative Art
Ends on 01/28/2021
US Coins
Ends on 01/29/2021
Fine Art
Ends on 02/03/2021
Sports Collectibles
Ends on 02/04/2021
Jewelry & Timepieces
Ends on 02/05/2021
Luxury Accessories
Ends on 02/07/2021
US Coins
Ends on 02/09/2021
Fine Art
Ends on 02/10/2021
Decorative Art
Ends on 02/11/2021
Currency
Ends on 02/11/2021
US Coins
Ends on 02/15/2021
Fine Art
Ends on 02/17/2021
US Coins
Ends on 02/18/2021
US Coins
Ends on 02/22/2021
Currency
Opens about 01/25/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 02/03/2021
Photography
Opens about 02/03/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 02/05/2021
Historical
Opens about 02/08/2021
Sports Collectibles
Opens about 02/05/2021
World & Ancient Coins
Opens about 01/31/2021
Currency
Opens about 02/01/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 02/10/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 02/11/2021
Jewelry & Timepieces
Opens about 02/19/2021
US Coins
Opens about 02/08/2021
Photography
Opens about 02/17/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 02/18/2021
Decorative Art
Opens about 02/18/2021
Fine & Rare Wine
Opens about 02/19/2021
Western & Texas Art
Opens about 02/19/2021
Comics & Comic Art
Opens about 02/19/2021
US Coins
Opens about 02/12/2021
Decorative Art
Opens about 02/23/2021
US Coins
Opens about 02/26/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 02/24/2021
Nature & Science
Opens about 02/26/2021
World & Ancient Coins
Opens about 02/21/2021
US Coins
Opens about 02/15/2021
Luxury Real Estate
Opens about 01/22/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 03/03/2021
World & Ancient Coins
Opens about 03/01/2021
Jewelry & Timepieces
Opens about 03/11/2021
Comics & Comic Art
Opens about 02/25/2021
Movie Posters
Opens about 03/05/2021
Comics & Comic Art
Opens about 03/08/2021
Heritage membership
- Past Auction Values (prices, photos, full descriptions, etc.)
- Bid online
- Free Collector newsletter
- Want List with instant e-mail notifications
- Reduced auction commissions when you resell your
winnings
- Cash Advances
- More Bidders
- Trusted Experts
- Over 200,000 Satisfied Consignors Since 1976
Learn about consigning with us
I don’t often do testimonials but in this case I felt truly obligated to thank Heritage Auctions for the extremely professional job your organization did for me.View More Testimonials
HA.com receives more traffic than any other auction house website. (Source: Similarweb.com)
Video tutorial
Getting the most out of search