Delaware State journal and statesman., 1865-06-23
The Baltimore Martyrs

The Baltimore Martyrs
The dedication of the monument erected
Lowell to the memory of Luther c. Ladd an,
Addison o. Whitney, who fell in Baltimore til,
leth Of April, 1861 which was postponed from
the 18th Of April last, took place on Saturday
with imposing military. masonic and civic cere-
monies.
After brief ceremonies of dedication, whiol
we're mostly Masonic, Gov. Andrew delivered
an eloquent oration.
In speaking Of the brave men, of the Oh
dassachusetts, who offered up their lives OF
that memorable occasion, he gives the following
history Of the martyrs;
1t was on the first day of May that Massa-
Ohusetts received back to her aoil the remains oil
these, her children, over which we rear this
monument.
One of the dead still sleeps at Baltimore
The mangled bodies of the other three, trans.
ported bither under charge of one Of their
fellow-soldiers, reached the State capital Just
before sunset, where they were received by til Q
Governor Of tho Commonwealth, aud were
escorted through streets drapel 10 emblems of
mourning and lined by thousands Of citizens
with uncovered heads aud moistenei eyes, to
the "Vaaaal tomb" beneath the ancient king y
Chapel" On the way they were borne past the
State House, over the same ground where twelve
days before they had stood to receive the flag
which they swore to defend, and which they
died defending,
Of these three martyrs, the name OF but one
vas knoWn-thRt of Sumner Henry Needham of
Lawrence. The rolls Of the regiment were cut
of with its baggage, in the struggle at Balt &,
more. But had not this accident occurred thew
might have failed to afford means of identify
lng the remains for in the haste of the original
assembling and moving Of the regiment they
bad escaped careful revision. Some men had
discarded the implements and clothing of peace
and fallen into the renkA on its march across
the city, the very hour Of its departure In
those early days, when the nation was wagering
between life and death, we did not waste
lime on forms. We were asked to send two
regiments of troops as soon as we could. We
did send Eve regiments, and more, sooner than
the country had believed was possible to
any State; but in accomplishing that, we
ntgleoted formalities which would have been
lnaspsnsible under an exigenoy less tremen-
dous
Therefore 1t was, that two of the three corpses
the same two which have mouldered into
these ashes, in the presence of which stand
lsy before US that May evening" without
name. Later in the night, under the direction
of officers Of the Headquarters staff of AIsssaehu.
aetts, and in the presence of the Mayors of the
cities OF Lawrence and Lowell these bodies
we're identified, and the names Of Luther CraW-
ford LAdd aud Addison Otis Whitney, two young
mechanics, both of Lowell, were added to that
Of Needham. And, completing the four ia the
name Of Charles A. Taylor, whose residence and
family even now remain unknown.
To complete the historical record of the hum
BE men who thus, by fortunate and glorious
death, have made their names imperishabe, let
us review the briew stories of their lives. They
are quickly told. They are simple in incident
and they are characteristic of New England. {.
Little is known Of Taylor, except that his
grade was that Of a decorative painter. The
most careful inquiries of his officers have failed
to discover his residence or his origin. On the
evening Of April l6 he presented himself at Bos.
ton In the hall where the regiment was quarter
ed and was enrolled as volunteer He an
Isared to be about twenty-five years of age.
His her was light his eyes blue. After he
fell on the pavement at Baltimore on the Gfter-
noon Of April IS, his brutal murderers beat him
With clubs until life was extinct
Needham was born March 2, 1928, at Bethel,
little town lying under the shadow of the
White Mountains, on the banks Of the Andres.
eoggin River, in the County of Oxford in the
State Of Maine About 1860 he came to Law
renee, in Massachusetts, and engaged in his
trade there, as plastereF. After lie fell mortal
y wounded at Baltimore, be was removed to
tne lnnrmary, where he Hinged until April 27,
Hhen he died. His remains lie at Lawrence,
where his wife and child reside.
Luther Crawford (son of John and Fanny
Ladd was born OF Alexandria, near the Merri-
nask River, in the County Of Grafton in the
state Of New Hampshre-Where his parents
sui reside-ou the 2Sd day OF December, l943,
psing the anniversary Of the Landing Of the
Pilgrims.
~, Addison Otis (son Of John F. and Jane
whitney was born October 30, 1889, at Waldo,
IN the county Of the same name, which borders
on 'ne Penobseot River, near where it Joins the
sea, IN the state Of Maine. Both died unmarried
thess onef lives ond no incidents that are
otNeW England. Born of honest parentaee. the
youth OF both Ladd and Whitney was passed by
the side of the great rivers, aud the sea. and
The mountains OF New England, and was nurtur-
ed in correct principles and fair ambition. bv
The teaching of free schools, until, arrived at
manhood, and attracted by, the opportunities of
the great mechanical establishments of ,ba
eastern counties of Massachusetts, they came to
Lowell, and we're employed, the first in ma
ehlne shop, the second In the spnninR.room of
one OF its manufactures. Their companions in
.oi and in social life testify to their exemplarv
haoits, their amiable disposition, and their
isndable industry. And thus they were engaged
constant in work, hopeful of long life, and con
,naent Of the success which is everywhere in
NeW England the fruit Of free and honest labor
nneh the sudden summons reached them TO take
Sp arms for their country. They never faltered
lot one moment in simple.hearied patriotism,
suu loyal obedience. AT Lowell, on the 18th
ay OF April, they dropped the garb of the
Parussn and assumed that of the cti7en.soldier
sOar days afterWard at Baltimore, their mortal
Soules' bruised and lifeless, lay on the bloody
mob. '"' '''''ins =" "s pru'A'
Both Whitney and Ladd were Young. and
lo'eu BY dauntlcss enthusiasm. Whitney
nSs put tWenty-one years Of age, and Ladd was
OILY in his eighteenth year.
n Wnitney Joined the Lowell City Guards 100,
n OF the 9th Regiment in the summer Of 1860
~ attended muster with the regiment that
Ssss and was discharged early in the Winter d
:'''' because he was learning trade, and