163: Luther Ladd

 

163 years ago today (April 19, 1861) Luther C. Ladd became the 1st Union Soldier killed during the Civil War. He was 17 years old.

Luther Crawford Ladd (December 22, 1843 – April 19, 1861) was born in Alexandria, New Hampshire, the Son of John Ladd. He resided on the Ladd Farm, south of Fowler's River. His Mother died when he was 6 years old leaving behind six Children. At age 16 in 1860, Ladd left Alexandria, New Hampshire for Lowell, Massachusetts where he obtained employment at the Lowell Machine Shop in order to help support his Family.

In April 1861 Luther answered President Lincoln's first call for 75,000 men by enlisting for three months in Company. D, 6th Massachusetts Militia. On April 19, 1861 while marching through the city of Baltimore his Regiment was attacked by an angry Confederate mob.

Luther C. Ladd was the first to fall. His injuries included a fractured skull and a fatal bullet wound that severed an artery in his thigh. Luther C. Ladd's remains were interred in the Alexandria Village Cemetery, in Alexandria, New Hampshire, later to be removed and buried beneath the Ladd & Whitney monument in Lowell, Massachusetts.