Blake Hall
From 1787 to 2014, 1,950 Americans served in the United States Senate. Only one, just ONE, has ever been killed while fighting for his or her country in battle.
Do you know who that someone was?
If you don’t, here’s a few hints …
He was a guy.
He represented the state of Oregon.
He was a veteran of the Mexican-American War.
He was killed in the Civil War.
Here’s a picture of him:
Okay so the old rendition of him above kind of gives away the mystery. His name was Senator Edward Dickinson Baker. Also, Colonel Edward Dickinson Baker (he is listed today as a major general in the U.S. Army).
Here’s how the Confederacy killed Baker, in what was a Union attack gone wrong, via We Are The Mighty:
On Oct. 20, 1861, he and his brigade camped along the Potomac River. Another unit was sent at night to scout enemy positions on the other side and reported that they had spotted a Confederate camp that was completely unguarded.
A force was raised to attack the camp but it discovered that the “rows of tents” spotted by the scouts had actually seen a row of short trees that they confused for tents in the dark. Confederate sentries spotted the Union troops and quickly set up a skirmish line.
Baker was sent to figure out what was going on and take command of the Union forces in the battle. He and his men began moving across the river but there were precious few boats to ferry troops.
By the time that Baker and his men were properly placed, the Confederates had enjoyed plenty of time to reinforce their positions on the high ground above the river. When Baker led his assault, he was quickly shot down. His men attempted to flee but rushed so fast that many fell over a 70-foot cliff into the river. Baker’s 1,700-man brigade suffered almost 1,000 killed, wounded, and captured in the battle.
If you know your law well, you’re probably not surprised that Baker to this day remains the only senator ever killed in combat, because it’s forbidden by it.
Not only was active duty service by members of Congress prohibited during World War II, but the Incompatibility Clause of the Constitution says that someone in office can’t hold another, in another branch of government. Serving in the Reserves, however, doesn’t go against this stipulation, but the service member still can’t be called to active duty — they can only participate in training.