The National tribune., 1909-03-11
FIRED FIRST AND LAST SHOTS.

FIXED FIRST AND LAST SHOTS.
Remarkable Experience of Nal. Laugh
lin, I5oth Ps.
At a meeting of the 155th Pa. Vol
unteer Association of Pittsburg. Pa,
held Dec. IL, 1908, the following me-
unorial minute, expressive Of the sorrow
of the surviving comrades on the death
of Brevet Maj. Geo. NJ Laughlin, late
Captain. Co. E, 155th Pa, was unani-
mously adopted:
In Memoriam.
with the bugle call of all lights
out the comrades of the 155th Pa. left
10 eternal rest all that was mortal of
Brevet Maj. George NJ Laughlin, and
ashes to ashes and dust to dust closed
the record Of nearly a half century of
: friendship.
mo example of purer patriotism is
known in the annals of the civil war
than is presented in the military career
of Maj. Laughlin, who when a youth of
10 abandoned college life and the as
sured prospects of 4 successful busi-
ness career to enlist as private soldier
in the army for the preservation of the
Union.
His. courageous performance of every
duty in the great battles of Antietam,
Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Get
tysburg, the Wilderness, sSpotSylvania,
North Anna, Cold Harbor, siege of
Petersburg, Hatcher's Run, Peebles's
Farm, Five Forks and Appomattox, in
volving the campaigns and marches of
the Fifth Corps, won for him deserved
promotion. until he attained the rank
of Captain of Co. E of the 155th Pa,
and finally was brevetted Major fer
gallant and meritorious conduct in bat
tie.
Thru the fortune of war Maj.
Laughlin was destined to perform in
the campaign of Gen. Grant most con-
5picuous service in both the opening
and closing of the series of battles that
practically ended the rebellion.
"On the morning of May 5, 1864,
when the Fifth Corps, commanded by
Gen. Warren, leading the advance of
the Union army, penetrated the dense
jungles and forests known as the Will
derness, several companies of the 155th
Pa, with details from other regiments,
were ordered to serve on the advance
skirmish line, Capt. Laughlin was as
signed to the important duty of COM
manding this advance. These skir
mishers were slowly pushing their way
thru the many Instructions in the dense
woods. unable to see the Confederates
concealed in the thick foliage, up to
which time not a shot had been fired
by either side. Capt. Laughlin, hearing
noises from unseen troops, ordered the
men in his command to fire in the
direction of the noise. to check the adj
vance of the enemy. The skirmishers
of the 155th Pa. promptly obeyed the
order, and opened fire, 20 which the
enemy respQnded, and the battle then
opened all along the line, and continued
with great fury and heavy losses on
both sides during the whole day. The
distinction of ordering the first shot in
the opening of the sanguinary battle
of the Wilderness was thus earned by
Capt. Laughlin.
.a"At Appomattox, April 9, 1865, the
155th Pa. was in the advance of the
Fifth Corps in pursuit of the retreating
Confederate army, under Gems. Long
street and Gordon. In the midst of
severe fire from infantry and artillery
at the final stand made by the enemy
a mounted Confederate courier with
flag of truce rode rapidly across the
space between the two armies, and
reached that part of the skirmish line
held by the 155th Pa. and explaining
his mission. was conducted to Gen.
Charles Griffin, commanding the Fifth
Corps.
seen. Griffin directed Maj Laughlin,
then serving on his staff, to ride out to
the advanced skirmish line, still under
the enemy's fire, and order each regi-
nent engaged to cease firing In dis
charging this extremely hazardous duty
battle line under the continuous and
seVere fire of the Confederates, and, re-
turning. reported to Gen. Griffin COM
piiance with his orders. The Confed-
crates not ,ceasing the heavy fire, the
General at once ordered Maj. Laugh
lin to return to the advanced skirmish
line and deliver to each command or
ders to resume firing These orders
were delivered by the Major, and firing
was at once renewed by the Union skir-
Inishers. and continued until the firing
along the Confederate line ceased. Maj.
Laughlin was then dispatched to the
battle line with Gen. Griffin's final or
ders to all the regiments 10 cease fir
Ing No hostile shot was fired by eth
er army after these last commands.
The peace at Appomattox was assured
by these final orders delivered by Maj
George 81. Laughl!n.
maj. Laughlin In his lifetime did not
speak of these historic incidents with