Rudolph R. Riddell

Rudolph Romeo Riddell (11 February 1847 – 8 September 1913) was a Lieutenant in the United States Army who was awarded the Medal of Honor for gallantry during the American Civil War. On 6 April 1865, Riddell captured the flag of the 6th Alabama Cavalry of the Confederate Army. For this action, he was awarded the Medal of Honor on 10 May 1865.

Personal life Riddell was born in Hamilton, New York on 11 February 1847 to parents David Riddell and Polly Parks Riddell. He was the younger of two children. In 1869, he married Annie Naomi Palmer. He had no known children. Riddell died on 8 September 1913 in Hamilton and was buried in Madison Street Cemetery in Hamilton.

Military service Riddell enlisted in the Union Army as a drummer at the age of 15. He was eventually promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and commanded Company I of the 61st New York Volunteer Infantry. On 6 April 1865, during the Battle of Sailor's Creek near Farmville, Virginia, he captured the flag of the 6th Alabama Cavalry of the Confederate Army. This action allowed him to receive the Medal of Honor on 10 May 1865. He later became the captain of his company and later brevet major under General Nelson A. Miles. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1865.

He was a Freemason and one of the founders of the Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm ("Grotto") and the author of its ritual.