Orleans

BEDELL, Henry Edson

Men of Vermont: an Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters and Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro, VT: Transcript Pub. Co., 1894, part II, p 25 
(portrait p 25)

Henry Edson BEDELL, of Newport [Orleans County, Vermont], was born 26 July 
1836 in Troy [Orleans County, Vermont], son of James G. and Amanda (SMITH) 
BEDELL. He was educated in the district schools of Westfield [Orleans 
County, Vermont] and before the war was a farmer, while his present 
occupation is that of an auctioneer. In August 1862 he enlisted in Company 
D, Eleventh Regiment. In this organization he was promoted from private 
through the grades of corporal and sergeant to that of second lieutenant.

The regiment was first stationed in the defenses of Washington, but was 
afterwards engaged in the battles of Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, and on the 
Welden Railroad; returned to Washington, and driving back the rebels at 
Berryville, then up the Shenandoah Valley, again returned to Washington and 
was afterwards detached to Harper's Ferry and after many forced marches and 
skirmishes around that place finally met the enemy at Opequan, where 
Lieutenant BEDELL, acting as captain of the second company, was struck by a 
shell which carried off his left leg and injured him severely in the right 
hand. He was conveyed to the temporary hospital on the field and suffered 
the amputation of his leg.

A few days later the sick and wounded were ordered to be transferred to 
Harper's Ferry. As Lieutenant BEDELL was so much exhausted it was impossible 
to move him and he was left in the hands of the rebels, and would have 
perished had it not been for the kindness of a rebel lady in the neighborhood 
of the battlefield, who removed him to her own house and though her means 
could but barely furnish the necessities of life, she nursed him with such 
care and attention that he was finally able to be transported within the 
Union lines.

On 03 March 1856 Lieutenant [Henry Edson] BEDELL married Emeline, daughter of 
Aaron and Lucinda (HITCHCOCK) BURBA of Westfield [Orleans County, Vermont]. 
Six children have been born to them: (1) De Etta J., who died 09 March 
1879; (2) Lucena A., Mrs. Nolton McCLAFLIN of Montgomery [Franklin County, 
Vermont]; (3) Alden N., who died 03 November 1892; (4) Herman A.; (5) 
Betty Nanny; and (6) James A. 

Mr. BEDELL is a Republican, and while in Westfield acted as the constable of 
the town. After the close of the war he was for twenty years employed as 
custom house officer. For five years of this period he was stationed at 
Richford and Berkshire [both in Franklin County] and for fifteen years 
discharged the duties of inspector and deputy collector at Newport [Orleans 
County]. He is a Methodist in his religious creed; was one of the charter 
members and founders of Baxter Post, No. 51, Grand Army of the Republic, and 
has been its junior commander.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly