7th Cavalry Trumpeter and Little Bighorn Survivor, John Martin, Rare Sixth Plate Tintype of Martin with his Bugle

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American Historical Ephemera & Photography, I...

By Cowan's Auctions

Jun 26, 2020

Set Reminder 2020-06-26 10:00:00 2020-06-26 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : American Historical Ephemera & Photography, Including African Americana:Premier Auction https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/cowans/american-historical-ephemera-photography-including-african-americana-premier-auction-5208
Cowan's Auctions is delighted to present the June 26 American Historical Ephemera and Photography Auction, including 55 lots devoted to the African American experience, over 175 lots dating from the Civil War Era, and more than 60 lots documenting life in the American West. Cowan's Auctions dawnie@cowans.com

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• Lot Description
  7th Cavalry Trumpeter and Little Bighorn Survivor, John Martin, Rare Sixth Plate Tintype of Martin with his Bugle
  
  Full-frame, sixth plate "chocolate" tintype of John Martin, orderly-trumpeter who carried General George Custer's "Last Message" at the Battle of Little Bighorn. Housed in a glass-covered, wood case covered in embossed leather, with gilt highlights. Ca 1875.
  
  Born as Giovanni Martino (ca 1852-1922), and raised as a foundling in Sala Consalina, in the Salerno area of southwestern Italy, he emigrated to the United States at the age of 21, in 1873. By 1874, his name anglicized as "John Martin," he had enlisted in the US Army, and was assigned as a trumpeter to the 7th US Cavalry, in time to accompany the regiment on its Black Hills Expedition. 
  
  On June 25, 1876, the duty roster assigned him as Custer's orderly, so he was riding directly behind the general the entire morning, as the 7th Cavalry approached the large Sioux & Cheyenne village on the Little Bighorn River, in Montana Territory. Custer had divided his force into three parts earlier in the day, so when he got his first glimpse of the large Indian village, he realized he was outnumbered and would need more ammunition. His adjutant quickly scribbled an historic note: "Benteen, Come on. Big village. Be quick. Bring Packs. P.S. bring pack." This was handed to Martin, who was ordered to ride several miles on their back trail, and find the pack train with the extra ammunition. Later, Martin recalled: "My horse was pretty tired, but I started back as fast as I could go. The last I saw of the command they were going down into the ravine. The gray horse troop was in the center and they were galloping." Martin was the only member of Custer's immediate command to survive the battle.
  
  Tired, alone, under a hot Montana sky, Martin was soon attacked by several Sioux Indians who chased him and wounded his horse. He managed to escape, find the pack train after nearly an hour, and deliver his note. About an hour earlier, Custer had sent the other third of his regiment, under Major Reno, ahead to attack the south end of the large village. Reno had only 96 men, who were rather quickly overrun by hundreds of Indian defenders, and forced to flee to a bluff top across the river. They were just arriving there, when Capt. Benteen saw them, as he was proceeding with the pack train to Custer's assistance. Major Reno had lost nearly half of his men, killed or wounded. He begged Benteen to help him, which absorbed most of the next hour. By the time their combined command was ready to move, Custer's larger force had already been wiped out, and the army of Indian defenders were moving back to attack the remaining soldiers. Reno and Benteen, with their men, were pinned down under siege on top of what came to be called "Reno Hill," for the next day and a half, until they were rescued by other army units.
  
  Throughout most of the 20th century, the only available photos of John Martin were made when he retired, after a 30-year career, from the army in 1904. He was then 52 years old, with a bushy, grey mustache. In 1876, however, he was a smooth-cheeked, 24-year-old. One earlier portrait had survived, made in 1879, which Martin himself had provided to a researcher in 1922. For an exploration of this present tintype, and a photo-overlay comparison with the 1879 portrait, see an analysis published by the Custer Battlefield and Historical Museum Association. 
  
  The Bugle of Little Bighorn
  
  Of historical significance perhaps equal to John Martin's earliest portrait, is the bugle seen on the table at his elbow. At the Reno Court of Inquiry in 1879, Martin testified that he was the only 7th Cavalry bugler sounding commands at any time, from June 25, until June 27, 1876. For "Officer's Call," below the Crow's Nest early on the 25th, and every command sounded from Reno Hill on the 25th - 27th, Martin was the bugler. This photograph shows the instrument that he used in that historic battle.
  
  Other documentation for this tintype may be explored here:
  
  https://www.morphyauctions.com/jamesdjulia/item/52694-1-397/
  
  https://truewestmagazine.com/found-trumpeter-martins-carbine/

  Condition

  Full case with tape along spine and latch. Image is clear and crisp.
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