>The Ridgewood Historical Society Presents Ridgewood resident wins US Supreme Court case
The Monthly Museum Memo: March 2012
March 19, 1895, marked the death of Adam Badeau, a Ridgewood resident and Civil War general, who had to win a U. S. Supreme Court case in order to get paid for his military service.
Adam Badeau is one of the town’s residents most strongly connected to important events in late 19th century American history.
During the Civil War, Badeau served on General Sherman’s staff before serious injury disrupted his military service. While recovering in New York City, he was allegedly cared for by Edwin Booth and his younger brother John Wilkes Booth, whom he had met prior
to the war. Badeau returned to active duty as a member of General U. S. Grant’s staff where he was promoted to General.
After the War Badeau worked for the U.S. State Department and was appointed the U.S. Consul to England and Cuba. During this time Badeau remained friendly with Grant, and for many years wrote about him extensively, but the two had a falling out over Grant’s now-famous memoirs in early 1885.
At about this time, the U.S. Army declared that he was not eligible for military retirement monies. Badeau fought this matter, which eventually went to the U.S. Supreme Court, which on May 9, 1887 dismissed all claims against Badeau.
To learn more about Adam Badeau and the Civil War in New Jersey, visit the Ridgewood Historical Society’s Schoolhouse Museum, on East Glen Avenue. The museum is open Thursdays and Saturday 1-3pm and Sundays 2-4pm. Please visit www.ridgewoodhistoricalsociety.org. for more information
