He served in the US Navy during the Civil War and was killed by the explosion at Fort Fisher, NC on January 16, 1865.
Appointed an Acting Ensign, 19 December, 1863.
First assignment was to the USS Chenango. Survived the boiler explosion (15 Apr 1864) without any recorded injury, and was reassigned to the USS Gettysburg. Witnessed both attacks on Fort Fisher. While leading a detail recovering bodies from the parapet, an explosion went off from the nearby powder magazine, killing him upon impact.
"In man's regret he lives, and in women's tears,
More Sacred than in life, and nobler far,
For having perished in the front of war." (Stone)
A son of William F. and Sarah Laighton.
Appointed an Acting Ensign, 19 December, 1863.
First assignment was to the USS Chenango. Survived the boiler explosion (15 Apr 1864) without any recorded injury, and was reassigned to the USS Gettysburg. Witnessed both attacks on Fort Fisher. While leading a detail recovering bodies from the parapet, an explosion went off from the nearby powder magazine, killing him upon impact.
"In man's regret he lives, and in women's tears,
More Sacred than in life, and nobler far,
For having perished in the front of war." (Stone)
A son of William F. and Sarah Laighton.
He served in the US Navy during the Civil War and was killed by the explosion at Fort Fisher, NC on January 16, 1865.
Appointed an Acting Ensign, 19 December, 1863.
First assignment was to the USS Chenango. Survived the boiler explosion (15 Apr 1864) without any recorded injury, and was reassigned to the USS Gettysburg. Witnessed both attacks on Fort Fisher. While leading a detail recovering bodies from the parapet, an explosion went off from the nearby powder magazine, killing him upon impact.
"In man's regret he lives, and in women's tears,
More Sacred than in life, and nobler far,
For having perished in the front of war." (Stone)
A son of William F. and Sarah Laighton.
Appointed an Acting Ensign, 19 December, 1863.
First assignment was to the USS Chenango. Survived the boiler explosion (15 Apr 1864) without any recorded injury, and was reassigned to the USS Gettysburg. Witnessed both attacks on Fort Fisher. While leading a detail recovering bodies from the parapet, an explosion went off from the nearby powder magazine, killing him upon impact.
"In man's regret he lives, and in women's tears,
More Sacred than in life, and nobler far,
For having perished in the front of war." (Stone)
A son of William F. and Sarah Laighton.
Inscription
ALFRED S. LAIGHTON
Born
August 16, 1837
Killed by the explosion
at Fort Fisher
January 16, 1865
In man’s regret he lives, and woman’s tears,
More sacred than in life, and nobler far
For having perished in front of war.
Family Members
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