Thomas H. Corbett The Christian soldier who castrated himself and Killed John Wilkes Booth

Boston Corbett
Corbett c. 1860–1865
Birth name	Thomas H. Corbett
Nickname(s)	The Glory to God Man
Born	1832 London, United Kingdom
Died	c. September 1, 1894 (aged 62) (presumed) Near Hinckley, Minnesota, U.S.
Allegiance	United States of America Union
Service/branch	U.S. Army Union Army
Years of service	1861–1865
Rank	Sergeant (Union Army)
Unit	12th Regiment New York Militia 16th New York Cavalry Regiment
Battles/wars	American Civil War
Other work	Hatter
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Thomas H. "Boston" Corbett (1832 – presumed dead c. September 1, 1894) was a Union Army soldier who shot and killed President Abraham Lincoln's assassin, John Wilkes Booth. Corbett was initially arrested for disobeying orders, but was later released on the orders of Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, who referred to Corbett as "the patriot" upon dismissing him. He was largely considered a hero by the media and the public.

Known for his devout religious beliefs and eccentric behavior, Corbett drifted around the United States before disappearing around 1888. Circumstantial evidence suggests that he died in the Great Hinckley Fire in September 1894, but that remains impossible to substantiate.

In 1857, Thomas H. Corbett began working at a hat manufacturer's shop on Washington Street in downtown Boston. He was reported to be a proficient hatter but was known to proselytize frequently and stop work to pray and sing for co-workers who used profanity in his presence. He also began working as a street preacher and would sermonize and distribute religious literature in North Square.^[8] Corbett soon earned a reputation around Boston for being a "local eccentric" and religious fanatic. On July 16, 1858, Corbett was propositioned by two prostitutes while walking home from a church meeting. He was deeply disturbed by the encounter. Upon returning to his room at a boardinghouse, Corbett began reading chapters 18 and 19 in the Gospel of Matthew ("And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out and cast it from thee....and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake"). In order to avoid sexual temptation and remain holy, he castrated himself with a pair of scissors.^[2] He then ate a meal and went to a prayer meeting before he sought medical treatment.