Gen. John Bedel, the son of Moody, and the grandson of Timothy, was born in Indian Stream Territory, July 8, 1822. When he was two years of age, the family returned to Bath. In the public schools of that town, and in the Seminary at Newbury, Vermont, he received his education. In 1843, he commenced the study of law with Hon. Harry Hibbard, but before his studies were closed he enlisted as a private in the Mexican War. This was in March, 1847. In May, he was appointed a sergeant, in December a lieutenant, and he had command of a company several months in 1848. In 1849 he resumed his studies in Hibbard's office, and did considerable in the pension business as claim agent. In 185o he was admitted to the bar in Grafton County, and the next year he entered into partnership with Mr. Hibbard.

In 1853 he received an appointment in the Treasury Department at Washington. An important part of his duty was to look after delinquents and defaulters, in which service he was vigilant constantly, and faithful to the government. He held this office eight years, under the administrations of Pierce and Buchanan, and until the breaking out of the Rebellion in 1861.

In August. 1861, he was appointed major of the 3d regiment of N. H. volunteers, and he at once entered upon the duties of his position. On the resignation of Col. Fellows in June, 1862, Lieut. Col. John H. Jackson was commissioned as colonel of the regiment, and Major Bedel as Lieut. colonel; and after the honorable discharge of Col. Jackson, Lieut. Col. Bedel, April 6, 1864 (and while a prisoner of war), was commissioned as colonel. He was wounded by a solid shot at Morris Island, June 1o,1863. He returned to duty on the 16th, and was captured, far in advance of his men, in the night assault on Fort Wagner. July 18, 1863. He was not paroled till Dec. 1o, 1864. After he had been declared exchanged March, 1865, he returned to his regiment at Wilmington, N. C., as Colonel. He was appointed brigadier-general U.S. volunteers by brevet, "for gallant and meritorious services, to date from March 13, 1865."

When taken prisoner, Gen. Bedel was carried to the South Carolina Penitentiary at Columbus. Here the prisoners were kept in close confinement, exposed to cold, without fuel; sometimes "shot at and shot into for attempting to escape, and then put in irons and solitary confinement for months as a punishment." Gen. Bedel was put into solitary confinement, and so kept five months, from the 7th of March to the 7th of August, 1864, for not submitting with sufficient docility to his treatment.


When paroled and sent within the Union lines, he repaired at once to the White House, as he promised his fellow prisoners he would do, and laid their grievances before President Lincoln with all the earnestness and solemnity of one who could speak from actual knowledge. He appeared in this presence, in the shabby garb which he had worn for 17 months in prison, and it is probable that this intercession by him in behalf of the prisoners was made in such a mood and manner as to do much towards hastening exchanges and relieving the distressed.

When the war was over Gen. Bedel returned to his home in Bath. He represented that town in the popular branch of the legislature in 1868, and again in 1869. He was the candidate of the democratic party for governor of the state in 1869, and again in 187o, but his party being in a minority he was defeated. In politics, he was a democrat, though somewhat independent in his action. He voted for President Lincoln in 1864, believing that his reelection would have a powerful influence in bringing the Rebellion to an end.

Dec. 13, 1853, Gen. Bedel married Miss Mary Augusta, daughter of the late Hon. Jesse Bowers, of Nashua, and to this couple seven children were born, only three of whom are now living. These and Mrs. Bedel reside in Bath.

The husband and father died Feb. 26, 1875, from inflammation brought on by over-exertion and exposure at the burning of his starch factory on a cold, stormy day. His remains were inurned, with those of his kindred who had gone before, in the ancient cemetery at Bath. His grave is designated by the flowers and flags of the Grand Army of the Republic, and will be so kept in remembrance till his last comrade in the great war has gone hence.

John Bedel
Library of Congress
https://www.loc.gov/resource/ppmsca.83091/