The Death of Oregon's Senator Edward Baker at the Civil War Battle of Ball's Bluff
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| Above: A commemorative postcard issued at the time of Baker's death. Baker had been a personal friend of Abe Lincoln and his family, as is evident below. |
Oct 21 1861.
Poolesville
Sir I have to inform you that
Gen Baker was killed this afternoon at 5 oclock in an engagement with the enemy
near Leesburg. Knowing to your great friendship & esteem of
Gen Baker I lose no time in apprising you of our loss-- He fell while leading on
his command saying pleasant & cheering words to the men his body we have
brought to Poolesville & will bring it to Washington on wednesday
Francis G. Young
Oct 21 1861.
| A Poem by WIllie Lincoln, 11 Years old, on Edward Baker's Death. Willie died 1 year later, when Lincoln said: "My poor boy. He was too good for this earth. God has called him home. I know that he is much better off in heaven, but then we loved him so. It is hard, hard to have him die!" |
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| There was no patriot like Baker, So noble and so true; He fell as a soldier on the field His face to the sky of blue... No squeamish notions filled his breast, The Union was his theme, No surrender and no compromise,' His day thought and night' s dream His country has her part to play, Towards those he left behind His widow and his children all She must always keep in mind. - -Washington National Republican |
Pooleville
Sir the battle was at its heighth when Gen Baker order me to command the left where we were expecting reinforcement from Gen Gorman the enemy appearing in force in that quarter and no reinforcements arriving we fell back to the line & Gen Baker then ordered me to go to Genl Stone & inform him of the condition of things while waiting for the boat to carry me over the river Genl Bakers Body was brought to me at that moment the enemy in force were attacking us on three sides and appeared to be increasing in numbers-- The firing kept up by the musketry was incessant-- We had not more than 1800 men engaged-- The number of the enemy was large not less than 5000-
Francis. G Young
Young was a captain in Edward D. Baker's 71st Pennsylvania. Baker was killed the previous day in the battle at Ball's Bluff.
| Sir I cannot
refrain from conveying to you, from these distant Islands the expressions
of universal grief and anguish felt here by all American Citizens upon
hearing of the death of that able statesman, gallant soldier and eloquent
patriot Gen'l E D Baker.
There is no one here who has as much cause to mourn as myself in consequence of the intimate and friendly relations long existing between us. In Gen'l Baker's death, Oregon has sustained an irreparable loss, and the Pacific Coast its truest friend and ablest defender, and the United States one of her noblest Sons. But he has gone to his final rest -- and died precisely as he once expressed to me his preference of death, if he had a choice -- viz "upon the field of battle fighting in defence of his Country." Honor to his name-- Peace to his ashes -- a crown of immortality to his brow. With an ardent desire for a final triumph of our arms -- a speedy restoration of peace and a brilliant & useful administration to yourself, I have the honor to remain with sentiments of high esteem, Your mo humble obt Servt. Thomas J. Dryer
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| Note: Dryer was earlier an editor of the Oregonian but had received a political appointment from Lincoln. Marysville (Corvallis) formed the southern end of the Oregonian's formal distribution area in 1860. Dryer had been the subject of some controversy when his claim to have ascended Mt. Hood in 1854. 3 years latter, the Pittock expedition reached the summit in 1857 and found Dryer's description of a seething volcanic cone to be utter falsehoods. |
Oct 22nd 1861.
Poolesville
The Remains of Genl Baker will be brought to Washington on Wednesday at 4 Oclock the funeral is appointed for Thursday at two PM
Francis G. Young