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| Luther C. Ladd. |
1861. |
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first that was shed in that revolution in which the liberties of the American people were secured, moistened the green sward at Lexington; now, on the 19th of April, 1861, the blood of the citizen soldiery of Massachusetts was the first that was shed in defense of those liberties endangered by a malignant internal foe. The slain at Lexington, in 1775, and the slain in Baltimore, in 1861, were regarded as equal martyrs; and with the hot indignation that burned in every loyal bosom was mingled a reverential recognition of the dignity and significance of that sacrifice, for thoughtful men read in it a prophecy of the purification and strengthening of the nation by the good providence of God.
Luther C. Ladd, a young mechanic of Lowell, only a little more than seventeen years of age; Addison O. Whitney, another young mechanic of Lowell, but twenty-one years of age; and Charles A. Taylor, a decorative painter, of Boston, who were killed outright,1 and Sumner H. Needham, of Lawrence, a plasterer by trade, who was mortally wounded, were the slain of the New England troops in Baltimore.
“I pray you, cause the bodies of our Massachusetts soldiers, dead in battle,” telegraphed Governor Andrew to Mayor Brown, “to be immediately laid out, preserved in ice, and tenderly sent forward by express to me. All expenses will be
paid by this Commonwealth.”
The Mayor promised acquiescence in the request; reminded the Governor that the Massachusetts troops were considered invaders of the soil of Maryland; told him that the wounded were “tenderly cared for,” and said: “Baltimore will claim it as her right to pay all expenses incurred.”
The Governor thanked the Mayor for his kind attention to the wounded and dead, and then, with rebukeful words that will ever be remembered, he exclaimed: “I am overwhelmed with surprise that a peaceful march of American citizens over the highway to the defense of our common Capital, should be deemed aggressive to Baltimore.
Through New York the march was triumphal.”
It was several days before the bodies of the young martyrs reached Boston.
On the 6th of May,
those of Ladd and Whitney arrived at Lowell by a special train.
The day was dark and stormy.
All the mills of the city were stopped running, the stores were closed, and all business was suspended.
The bodies were received by a great concourse of citizens and six military companies just organized for the war, and escorted to Huntington Hall, which was draped in black.
There funeral services were held, during which, the Rev. W. R. Clark, of the Methodist Church, preached an impressive sermon before the authorities of the city and the people ;2 and then the two bodies were laid in a vault
1 Ladd was pierced by several bullets, and Whitney by only one, which entered his breast and passed downwards in his body. It evidently came from a window above him.
2 All denominations engaged in the services. The Scriptures were read by the Rev. W. C. Himes, Episcopalian; the Rev. Dr. Cleaveland, Congregationalist, prayed; an original hymn was read by the Rev. J. J. Twiss, Universalist; the closing prayer was by the Rev. D. Mott, Baptist; and the benediction was pronounced by the Rev. F. Hinckley, Unitarian. Over the rostrum were displayed the words:--“April 19, 1775; April 19, 1861.”
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