Editing Boston Corbett (section)

===Enlistment in the Union Army===
[[File:Sergent Boston Corbett, 16th N.Y. Cav. Who shot J. Wilkes Booth, April 26, 1865. (2719965829).jpg|thumb|A photograph of Corbett in his [[Union Army]] uniform.]]
On April 19, 1861, early in the [[American Civil War]], Corbett, who was anti-slavery,{{sfn|Martelle|2015|p=22}} enlisted as a [[Private (rank)|private]] in Company I of the [[Union Army]]'s [[New York Guard|12th New York State Militia]]. Corbett's eccentric behavior quickly got him into trouble. He always carried a Bible with him and read passages aloud from it regularly, held unauthorized prayer meetings, and argued with his superior officers.<ref>{{harvnb|Walker|Jakes|1998|pp=160–161}}</ref> Corbett also condemned officers and superiors for what he perceived as violations of [[Religious texts|God's word]]. In one instance, he verbally reprimanded Colonel [[Daniel Butterfield]] for using profanity and [[Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain|taking the Lord's name in vain]]. He was sent to the [[guardhouse]] for several days but refused to apologize for his insubordination.<ref name="Walker 1998 161">{{harvnb|Walker|Jakes|1998|p=161}}</ref> Due to his continued disruptive behavior and refusal to take orders, Corbett was [[court-martial]]ed and sentenced to be shot. His sentence was eventually reduced, and he was discharged in August 1863.<ref>{{harvnb|Jameson|2013|p=129}}</ref> Corbett re-enlisted later that month in Company L, [[16th New York Cavalry Regiment]]. On February 26, 1864, he was demoted to private as punishment for an unknown incident.{{sfn|Martelle|2015|p=38}}