The Cleveland leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1865-1865, 1865-05-03
.DAILY LEADER.
Tha nan VINO Shot Boeth.

Sergeant Boston Corbett, the soldier
who shot the assassin Booth, is native OF
England, where he was born in 1889. He
came to this country while still lad, and
resided in Boston, Mass, where he was
converted, and on being baptized, request
ed the minister TO give him the name Of
HBostou," since which time he has devoted
himself TO active deeds of Christian
charity. BE came TO New York about six
years ago, and worked In several hatters
shops on Nassau street, where ne was al
ways considered good workman and
faithful Christian. 50 earnest was he in
the work of converting sinners, and re-
forming drunkards, that he hired rooms
for the express purpose, caring for the
temporal and spiritual wants of every out
cast whom he could assist, or furnish with
employment. He continually expended all
his own money for such purposes, and fire.
quently borrowed from his friends; one Of
whom says he would oftan come to his
shop and say: H Sam, have got q new
bosrder, and haven't got the money to buy
him bread. Let me have q dollar until
get my pay" And he always repaid the
borrowed money before he went home On
Saturday evening. Thus he unobtrusiYe]y
accomplished much good.
Protestant Methodist Church when he en-
listed In 1861, for three months, in the 18th
regiment New York State Militia, under
Colonel Butterfeld- While serving in
this regiment he reproVed an officer for
swearing while on dress parade. This act
caused him to be confined in the guard
house, on bread and water, for several
days. One of his companions carried him
some coffee, which he refused because It
was against the "orders" for him to re-
eeive t. He next enlisted in the same reg
iment when Washington was again threat
ened, was captured BY the rebels at Hsr-
per's Ferry, and psroled when General
Miles surrendered. He enlisted again in
12th regiment when Pennsylvania was in
vaded, and, on returning to New York,
continued 20 serve during the riots of July,
1853. When discharged from the 18th, he
enlisted in the 16th New York cavalry,
and had served about year when he was
by some Of Mosby's guerrillas.
He was with some companions on scout. |
The party was surprised and surrounded, |
several of his comrades were killed, and |
the remainder fed. Oorbett, however, |
backed up against an old pear tree, dis |
charged his carbine, and then drew his |
revOlvers, with which he kept two dozen |
guerrillsrs st bay until every shot had |
been fred. he then used his sabre. Mos |
by was SO pleased with his bravery, that |
he gave orders to his troopers not to shoot |
st so brave man.
After this Corbett was Imprisoned at /
Andersonville for five months, where he |
continued to preach and exhort, devoting |
himself TO the conversion of his fellow /
prisoners while in confinement He en-
1ured with Christian fortitude the many
lsrdships he encountered On being re-
eased he was promoted q sergeant for his
gallant defense at the time Of his capture.
de received furlough of twenty dsys,
when he visited the city, about two months
ago. He had recently rejoined his regi-
nent, and st the time he was detailed upon
his last expedition was still suffering from
lcurvy and chronic disrrhoes contracted at
While in the city ne was
} constant attendant st the Fulton street
prayer meetings, and frequently spoke to
hose assembled there. Sergeant Oorbett
8 man of medium size, about five feet
tx inches in height, square build, with an
lpeuI uODlc-lOOhluB COuubonhnCet DrOhQ
high cheek bones, and regular
eatures. His haIr, which is dark brown,
,e parts in the middle, and wears light
and chin beard. His voice is
pleasant and attracts imme-
late attention, especially when he is sing
ng in church or prayer meeting. HIS
comrades and superior officers are all at.
sched TO him, and repose the utmost con-
idence in him. His regiment is now sta
toned at Vienna in Virginia, looking after
Aoseby guerrillss.