The capture of John Wilkes Booth, the assassin of President Abraham Lincoln, is a pivotal moment in American history. While Booth’s dramatic end is well-documented, the story of the man who apprehended him, Sergeant Boston Corbett, is less known. Many wonder, “What happened to Boston Corbett after John Wilkes Booth met his fate?” His life after this singular, momentous event took a peculiar and often overlooked turn.
The Immediate Aftermath and the Man of the Hour
When John Wilkes Booth was finally cornered and shot on April 26, 1865, in a tobacco barn in Virginia, it was Boston Corbett, a Union cavalryman, who delivered the fatal shot. This act instantly propelled Corbett into a national spotlight. He was hailed as a hero, a man who had brought justice for the fallen president. The newspapers were filled with his story, and he received accolades and attention from across the country. However, Corbett, a deeply religious and somewhat eccentric individual, seemed to struggle with this sudden fame.
His personal life was marked by profound religious convictions. He was a devout Seventh-day Adventist and often spoke of divine guidance. This faith played a significant role in his understanding of his actions, leading him to believe he had acted under God’s will. His thoughts on the killing were complex:
- He viewed Booth as a sinner who needed to be stopped.
- He felt a sense of divine imperative in his actions.
- He famously stated, “It was God’s will that I should do it.”
This internal conviction, coupled with external praise, created a peculiar paradox for Corbett. He was celebrated for an act that, in his own mind, was a divine duty, yet the attention proved to be a heavy burden. The public’s fascination with him, while intense, often overlooked the deeper, more personal struggle he experienced in the wake of Booth’s demise.
Corbett’s military service concluded shortly after the capture. He was discharged and received his share of prize money for Booth’s apprehension, a sum that was substantial for the time. However, he did not seek to capitalize on his fame or pursue a political or public life. Instead, he drifted, often taking on odd jobs and struggling to find a stable place in society. His experiences had changed him, and he found it difficult to conform to the expectations of a world that saw him primarily as the man who killed Booth. He would later recount his experiences and feelings through:
| Event | Corbett’s Reaction |
|---|---|
| Public Acclaim | Unease and a desire for solitude |
| Military Service End | A sense of completion and a search for purpose |
| Life After Fame | Wandering and introspection |
The narrative of what happened to Boston Corbett after John Wilkes Booth is a compelling one, illustrating the profound impact of extraordinary events on ordinary lives. His journey underscores the idea that even in moments of national triumph, personal struggles and unique individual paths can emerge.
To delve deeper into the intricate details of Sergeant Boston Corbett’s life and his subsequent journey, you can refer to the information and narratives provided in the section that follows this explanation.