Trivia 4-13-2020 Why So Sad

[Trivia Master]

Charles Coffin, famed correspondent, wrote, "We could hear the click of the telegraph in the adjoining room, and low conversation between the President and General McClellan, succeeded by silence, excepting the click-click of the instrument, which went on with its tale of disaster.
Five minutes passed, and then Mr. Lincoln, unattended, with bowed head, and tears rolling down his furrowed cheeks, his face pale and wan, his heart heaving with emotion, passed through the room. He almost fell as he stepped into the street, and we sprang involuntarily from our seats to render assistance, but he did not fall. With both hands pressed upon his heart he walked down the street, not returning the salute of the sentinel pacing his beat before the door."

What had Lincoln so sad?

credit: @General Casey

 

[hughes]

learning of the death of Edward Baker at Ball's Bluff

 

[stuart1861]

Death of Col. Edward Dickinson Baker at Ball's Bluff

 

[Brenal]

The death of his friend Colonel Edward Dickinson Baker at the Battle of Ball's Bluff.
"The Life of Abraham Lincoln: Volumes 3 & 4" By Ida M. Tarbel

 

[FarawayFriend]

The report via telegraph was about the Battle of Ball's Bluff, a Union defeat that also meant a very sad personal loss to Pres. Lincoln. In that battle Lincoln lost one of his closest friends, Colonel E. D. Baker and news that the Colonel had been killed in battle were transmitted by telegraph, to which Lincoln was witness.

Source

 

[captaindrew]

He had just learned that good friend Colonel Edward D. Baker had been killed at the Battle of Ball's Bluff

 

[Gavrilo Sartorys]

Charles Coffin, famed correspondent, wrote, "We could hear the click of the telegraph in the adjoining room, and low conversation between the President and General McClellan, succeeded by silence, excepting the click-click of the instrument, which went on with its tale of disaster.
Five minutes passed, and then Mr. Lincoln, unattended, with bowed head, and tears rolling down his furrowed cheeks, his face pale and wan, his heart heaving with emotion, passed through the room. He almost fell as he stepped into the street, and we sprang involuntarily from our seats to render assistance, but he did not fall. With both hands pressed upon his heart he walked down the street, not returning the salute of the sentinel pacing his beat before the door."

What had Lincoln so sad?

credit: @General Casey

Because there is no more information about the period in which this event occured, I first hesitate between two cases :
- the death of Lincoln' friend Colonel Baker at the battle of Ball's Bluff.
- the death of his son Willie on February 20, 1862.

But, because General McClellan is present, I can figure that it deals with military stuffs so I'd rather choose the Baker case.
My final answer is : this happened when reports of the battle of Ball's Bluff arrived, announcing the death of Colonel Edward Baker, a personal friend of the President.

 

[Llewellyn]

Lincoln had just been informed of the death of his friend Colonel Edward Baker at Balls Bluff, 21 October 1861.

 

[gentlemanrob]

His friend Edward D. Baker was killed at Battle of Ball's Bluff

 

[streetwiseprof]

The death of Edward Baker at the Battle of Balls Bluff.

 

[Eleanor Rose]

The death of one of his oldest and dearest friends, Colonel E.D. Baker

Source

 

[Wallyfish]

President Lincoln learned of the death of his friend Edward D. Baker at the Battle of Ball's Bluff on October 21, 1861.

Source

 

[Michigander]

1. The death of one of Lincoln's oldest and dearest friends Colonel Edward D. Baker at the Battle of Ball's Bluff
Source

 

[Pollaco]

The death of his friend Edward D. Baker at the battle of Ball's Bluff in October of 1861.

 

[General Casey]

Credit for question

 

[kholland]

He had learned of the death of his friend Edward Baker at the Battle of Ball's Bluff on October 21st, 1861.

 

[Lewis214]

The death of his friend Edward D Baker at the Battle of Ball's Bluff on 10/12/1861

http://www.mrlincolnswhitehouse.org/washington/the-war-effort/war-effort-mcclellan-headquarters/

 

[Ole Miss]

The death of Edward D. Baker at the Battle of Ball's Bluff
Regards
David

 

[sarladaise]

The news that his friend, Col. Edward D. Baker, had been killed at the battle of Ball's Bluff.

 

[luinrina]

They received the news that Colonel Edward D. Baker had been killed in the Battle of Ball's Bluff on October 21, 1861. Baker had been Lincoln's friend and confident.

Sources: Reminiscences of Abraham Lincoln