Chapter 3 of Civil War Scholars begins by exploring the lives of Henry Bedinger and Alec Boteler, two friends who were both young lawyers with families and a strong passion for art. Alec was particularly good at drawing and painting, which was not surprising given that he was the great-grandson of Charles Willson Peale, who was the leading portrait painter in early America and famously painted General Washington. Alec’s love of art was suppressed by his father, who wanted him to focus on more practical matters, and Alec would later lament the loss of several paintings from his family’s collection during the Civil War.
Meanwhile, Henry Bedinger was an accomplished poet who would later become America’s first ambassador to Denmark, serving there for most of the 1850s. Before he embarked on this adventure, he met and fell in love with Caroline Lawrence, the daughter of a fellow Congressmen. Despite initial hesitation, Henry eventually consented to their marriage and the two, along with their children, would eventually move to Denmark.
Alec Boteler, meanwhile, would also go on to serve in Congress, occupying Henry’s old seat from early 1859 until shortly before the outbreak of the Civil War. His time in office was marked by a creative streak, and he would often draw cartoons and sketches to add some levity to Congressional proceedings. One of his most famous doodles was a cartoon of Charles Harper’s home and apothecary shop, which still stands today on the eastern side of McMurran Hall on German Street.
As the political climate grew increasingly tense in the years leading up to the Civil War, however, Alec’s mood grew darker. He would often quote Shakespeare’s Henry VI, muttering that “heavy looks foretell some dreadful story hanging on thy tongue”. Despite his growing sense of foreboding, Alec continued to serve in Congress and do his best to make a difference in the world.
In November 1858, Henry Bedinger finally returned home to Shepherdstown with his family. During their time in Denmark, Henry had become a favorite of King Frederick VII, and he had even had the chance to play chess with Hans Christian Anderson, the famed children’s writer. The Bedingers had also brought back a new Christmas tradition from Europe, decorating a tree with ornaments, which quickly caught on in America.
Overall, Chapter 3 of Civil War Scholars gives readers a glimpse into the lives of two talented and creative men who were deeply committed to their families and their country. Despite their many differences, Henry Bedinger and Alec Boteler shared a love of art and a desire to make a difference in the world, and their stories continue to inspire readers today.
Posted by Jim Surkamp on 2015-03-26 12:49:20