The impact of Lincoln's Assassination on Walt Whitman On the night of the terrible tragedy, an unreal action occurred in the theater box. Watching was the greatest man of his time in the glory of the most stupendous success story in our history. He was the idolized leader of an already powerful nation and a symbol to all of the greatness of a great nation. The central figure of that company, the central figure of the great and good men of the century, would suffer a swift death. The shot heard across the country would not have died in a whimper. The darkness that had swept through the streets of Washington was the same feeling of vague terror and pain that had spread across the country. Colonel Burnett, assigned to investigate Lincoln's death, described the nation's mood: "I cannot adequately describe, and never will forget. To this day, I have never visited that city (Washington) without some shadow of that dark time. be content with my spirit" (A Lawyer Called to Serve 2000). People walked the streets with bowed heads and sorrowful faces. When the men spoke to each other in the streets, there was a tremulous tone and a trembling of the lips in their voices, as if the tears and the violent expression of grief were held back only with great effort. Lincoln's death affected Whitman because he had held Lincoln in the highest esteem similar to the soldiers, lived in the same proximity as the president, and had developed a series of works dedicated directly to Lincoln. People held Lincoln in such high esteem with strong Love. Colonel Burnett adds that "the love of the people was so strong, so peculiarly personal and tender towards Abraham Lincoln" (A Lawyer Called to Serve 2000). This was particularly......half of the paper......rve." Testimony of General Henry L. Burnett on the trail of Mr. John Wilks.February 28, 2000.Clark, Champ, and the editors of Time Books- Life. The Civil War: Assassination, Death of President Alexandria, Virginia: Time-Life Books, 1987. DeWan, George. “The Paumanok Poet,” March 1998: A18+ Source of Knowledge: Researcher February 28, 2000. Ervin, Timothy P "Unit Eight: The Bloom of New England: New Directions." History of American History. April 3, 2000. "Walt Whitman." Literature and Poetry. February 28, 2000. Mark Van New York: The VikingPress, 1945.Woodress, James., 1983.