Lincoln's Avenger

[major bill]

Thomas P. "Boston" Corbett was one of the more interesting people of the Civil War. He was considered by many to be a religious nut and trouble maker. In fact prior to shooting Booth he had cause so much trouble in the Army that he was court-martialed and sentenced to be shot, but was discharged instead. He rejoins the Army and after being captured he was sent to Andersonville. After kill booth he is arrested for killing Booth. I have never been able to know if Corbett deserves to be called a hero. Can one be a "nut" and a hero?

 

[leftyhunter]

Thomas P. "Boston" Corbett was one of the more interesting people of the Civil War. He was considered by many to be a religious nut and trouble maker. In fact prior to shooting Booth he had cause so much trouble in the Army that he was court-martialed and sentenced to be shot, but was discharged instead. He rejoins the Army and after being captured he was sent to Andersonville. After kill booth he is arrested for killing Booth. I have never been able to know if Corbett deserves to be called a hero. Can one be a "nut" and a hero?

Per the Wiki article "Boston" Corbett was indeed ku ku for coconuts but he had every right to be
Has a hatter he snifed very dangerous chemicals used in hatmaking. His wife and child died during chilbirth and he took up the bottle but became a devout Christian .
Corbett may of been bat guano crazy but he had lots of company and he saved the taxpayer a whole lot of money.
Leftyhunter

 

[Aussie Billy Sherman]

Never seen a real reason why he disobeyed orders and shot Booth.

 

[leftyhunter]

Never seen a real reason why he disobeyed orders and shot Booth.

Because Corbett has a brain destroyed by toxic chemicals by making hats and or God told him to or because he thought Booth was aiming a carbine at him.
Leftyhunter

 

[amweiner]

Apparently he castrated himself as well. Whether it was chemically related or true mental illness, the guy was for real.
http://rogerjnorton.com/Lincoln32.html

 

[huskerblitz]

Because Corbett has a brain destroyed by toxic chemicals by making hats and or God told him to or because he thought Booth was aiming a carbine at him.
Leftyhunter

This reminds me I read (or heard) something recently that disputed his mental issues were caused by mercury in hat making. Wished I could remember where but I was under the same impression as you.

 

[East Tennessee Roots]

Thomas P. "Boston" Corbett was one of the more interesting people of the Civil War. He was considered by many to be a religious nut and trouble maker. In fact prior to shooting Booth he had cause so much trouble in the Army that he was court-martialed and sentenced to be shot, but was discharged instead. He rejoins the Army and after being captured he was sent to Andersonville. After kill booth he is arrested for killing Booth. I have never been able to know if Corbett deserves to be called a hero. Can one be a "nut" and a hero?

He was also a P.O.W.

Boston Corbett : Enlisted on 8/4/1863 at New York City, NY as a Private. 31 years old. On 9/5/1863 he mustered into "L" Co. NY 16th Cavalry. Corporal 9/6/1863, Private 2/26/1864 (Reduced to ranks), POW 6/26/1864 (place not stated), Sergeant 10/31/1864. He was Mustered Out on 8/17/1865 at Washington, DC