In September 1861, during the Civil War, he enlisted in the Confederate States Army in Company F, 8th Kentucky Infantry, at the age of 17.

Elected a lieutenant, Laffoon was captured at the Battle of Fort Donelson on February 16, 1862, and was held a prisoner of war at Camp Morton, at Indianapolis, Indiana.

He next enlisted in Adam Rankin Johnson's 10th Kentucky Cavalry Regiment and again was made a lieutenant.

He served as chairman of the Committee on Expenditures in the Department of War (Fiftieth Congress).

This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress