Luther C. Ladd

(1843-1861)

I got the chills this morning when I realized that not only did the Revolution begin today in 1775, but the first blood of the Civil War was spilt on this day in 1861.  Luther Ladd was a seventeen year old machinist from Lowell, MA, who quickly took up arms with the 6th Massachusetts when President Lincoln called for 75,000 volunteers.  The quickest way to Washington was through the city of Baltimore.  The citizens of Baltimore were sympathetic to the Southern cause, so when the 6th Massachusetts arrived by train on the morning of April 19th, a riot broke out. Ladd was one of four soldiers killed while trying to get from President Street Station to Camden Station. He is often referred to as the first to die in the war. His last words were reportedly, "all hail the Stars and Stripes!"

Civil War Sesquicentennial

In honor of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War and because of my fascination with the era, I'll be posting often--battles, generals, interesting tidbits, you name it!

On November 25, 1863, the Union Army commanded by Ulysses S. Grant defeated the Rebels at the Battle of Missionary Ridge. The North was able to secure Chattanooga, but Grant lost his chance to deal a crushing blow by not pursuing the fleeing Confederates.  General Braxton Bragg, feeling responsible for the rout, soon resigned from his post.