ITEM # 530
The c.d.v shows a full length view of Bedee as Officer of the Day (sash across his shoulder) with his arm on a small table on which his McDowell pattern forage cap is resting. He is wearing a nine button officer's frock coat and officer's sword belt from which hangs either an 1840 or 1860 cavalry saber (apparently Bedee did not like the 1850 Foot Officer sword). The reverse of the card has "Capt E.E. Bedee/12th N.H.Vols" written in ink. The image is crisp and clear and the cardstock has only some very minor damage to the corners and some light foxing. Edwin Elzaphan Bedee had risen through the ranks from Sergeant Major and had been wounded at both Chancellorsville and Cold Harbor before being taken prisoner at Bermuda Hundred. He was paroled and returned to his regiment in February of 1865 and was in the audience at Ford's Theatre when Lincoln was assassinated. After briefly chasing Booth, he and a doctor entered the president's box where Bedee tried to stanch the flow of blood from Lincoln's wound. Charged by Mrs. Lincoln to deliver the president's private papers to Secretary of War Stanton, Bedee was very briefly arrested after having done so on baseless suspicions that he had something to do with the murder. He was exonerated by Gen. Hardie (who had initially ordered his arrest) and eventually returned home to New Hampshire, living in Portsmouth until his death on January 13, 1908. This is a wonderful piece of history in fine condition and comes with an exerpt from the regimental history which deals with the entire episode. (2017-22) (500/700) SOLD FOR $920.00 |
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