The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1865-05-18
BOSTON CORBETT.

the soldier who shot the assassin Booth
have furnished for publication some in
teresting incidents of his life, which are
not mentioned in any of the accounts al
: ready printed.
1t appears that Corbett, who is a man
of eccentric habits and disposition, anc
in some respects of remarkable character
was born in England in 1882, that he
came to this country when he was seven
years of age, and resided in this city till
about ten years ago, working at his trade
as halter. He worked also in Boston
Troy, Albany, Richmond, Va, and in
other cities. In Virginia he was obnox-
ious, on account of his anti-slavery opin-
ions, and was compelled to leave the state
He had married, but his wife died, and
he is still widower
Corbett-whose name was originally
Thomas H.-made profession of reli-
gion in Boston, and joined the Methodist
Church having been baptised under the
name of Boston" Corbett He became
exceedingly enthusiastic, and devoted
himself entirely to the faith he had ac-
cepted. He was at the same time impul-
sive, doing without hesitation what he
thought was right, and acting without
much regard to the opinions of others
When asked why he changed his name
to Boston, he replied that when convert
ed he was born anew, and thought il prop
er to distinguish his second birth by t.
king new name. He had, he added,
the happiness to obtain religion in the
chief city of Massachusetts and in recog-
uition of that fact had called himself
Boston.
Just before the beginning of the war,
/ Corbett worked at his trade in this city
but had much difficulty in getting along
and paying his way. He was exceeding
/ ly liberal believed it to be his duty to
divide his means with the poor, and often
left himself without the means of living
comfortably. Faithful and skillful in
his occupation, he nevertheless failed to
find constant employment, because he
was unwilling to work for any man who
did wrong; and nearly all his employers
conducted themselves in some manner
contrary to his ideas of right, Corbett lost
mach for conscience sake.
Corbett once worked for halter in
Broadway, but disagreed with him, and
finally declined to work in his shop any
longer for the following reasons; 1t ap-
pears that the halter was in the habit of
purchasing old hats, dressing them neat
/ ly, and selling them as new articles
Corbett objected to this proceeding, and
demonstrated with his employer, telling
him he had no right to dispose of hats
worth three dollars and fifty cents for FIVE
dollars. The halter persisted, and Cor
bett left
In the earlier stages Of the rebellion
Corbett took strong grounds in favor of
maintaining the national authority. He
thought it right to shoot traitors where
ever they could be found. Some female
members of the church with whom he
associated differed from him as to the
propriety of such language besides they
did not think it right to kill under any
circumstances, and charge was made a,
gainst him, though in indefinite forms Of
having done that which was ''incOnsist-
ent" with Christianity. When he in
quired for particulars, he was answered
that he had announced his willingness tC
''shoot men like dogs" He rejoined that
the rebels deserved just that; he would
first say to them: "God have mercy OF
your souls" and then "pop them off. y
Corbett has since declared that wher
shooting at the rebels he always makes
such prayer; and the accounts are tC
the effect that he repeated it before hi
killed Booth.
Corbett served with the Twelfth regi
, ment of this city when it took the telt
r in 1861, and when it was captured he de
clined to give up his musket saying tha
t the rebels should never have any OF tn
government property if he could help II
r He hid his piece under rock, and
was not found. Corbett afterwards en-
Q listed in three months regiment, an,
: finally entered the Sixteenth cavalry
His friends say he refused to take tn
: bounty, preferring to serve his countr
: without any remuneration of that kinC
1t is unnecessary to recapitulate his mil
l. tary history lie cohqucIeu hlihsell WIZ
= singular bravery throughout. One inc
dent will Illustrate his character.
10 While Corbett was in the Twelfth reg
y ment and was private, his colonel use
is profane language when on parade. 20
it bett stepped out of the ranks and reproye
lc him, saying that he had violated the la
of God and he considered it his duty
renrimand him. Corbett then took B
BILE out of his pocket and read the cor
mandment "Thou shalt not swear" x
ie The result was that Corbett was order(
y into the guardhouse for punishment. l
" went cheerfully, declaring on the way tn
te he had done only what was right, al
p that he was willing to accept what shou
a come of it. In the guardhouse he sal
u psalms, disturbing the other prisoners
ne He was then directed by the officer
eu charge not to sing any more but
&c would not obey and did as he pleased.
Nv But it seems the Colonel was not willil
We to punish Corbett, and sent word to h
"a by captain that he should be liberat
Z