Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-10-04
THE BURIAL OF LATANE.
BY John R. THOMPSON


From the soathern literary Messengsr.I
The next squadron moved to the front un
1 der the lsmented Captain Latane, making
most brilliant and successful charge with draw
sabres upon the enemys picked ground, ana
after a holly contested hsnd-tc-hand CONNER
Dut him TO fight, but not until the gallant cap
/ tain had sealed his devotion to his native sol
I with his blood. - Official Report cf The Pa
aunkey Expedition = General J. E. B. Stuart
/ G. S. f.
Lieutenant Latane carried his brother s
dead body TO Mrs. BrOckenbrough's plantation
an hour or two after his death. On this sad anC
lonely errsnd he met party Of Yankees, who
followed him to Mrs. BrockenbroUgh's gate
and stopping there, told him that as soon as he
had placed his brothers. body in friendly hands
he must surrender himself prisoner
Mrs Broczenbrough sent for an Episcopal
clergyman to perform the funeral ceremonies
but the enemy would not permit him to pass
Then with a few other ladies, fsir-haired lii
tic girl, her apron filed with white flowers, and
few faithful slaves, who stood reveTently near
a pious Virginia matron read the solemn and
beautiful burial service over the cold, still form
Of one of the noblsst gentlemen and most in
tTepid officers in the Confederate army She
watched the sods heaped upon the cofnn lid,
then sinking on her knees, in sight and hearing
lOGs SL6 GOHlulhbcu Lis bOui HCAlaAOf fhAAo
the stricken hearts he had left behind him, to
the mercy of the All Father. - EItract from a
priCats letter.
The combat ragged not long but ours the day;
a nd through the hosts that compassed US around,
Oar little band rode proudly on its way
Leaving one gallant comrade, gory-crOwned,
Unburicd on the field he died to gain
Single Of al his men amid the hostile slain.
One moment on the battles edge he Stood
Hopes halo like a helmet round his hair,
The next behind him, dsbbied in his blood
Prostate in death and yet in death how fair 2
Even thus he passed, through the red gate of suifs,
From earthly crowns and palms to an immortal life
A brother bore bis body from the field ...
And gave At unto strangers hands that closed
The calm blue eyes, On earth forever sealed,
And tenderiy the slender limbs composed:
Strangers, yet sisters, who, with Msry's love,
Sat by the open tomb and weeping looked above.
A little child streUed roses on his bier
Pale roses, not more stainless than his soul,
Nor yet more fragrant than his life sincere
That biOssOmed with good actiOns-bref but whole
The aged mstron and the faithful slave
Approached with reverent feet the heros owy grave.
No man Of God might say the burial.rite
Above the 'rebel'--thus dec ared the foe
That blanched before him in the deadly fight
But womans voice, il accents soft aud low,
Trembling with pity, touched with pathOs read
Ger his hslIowed dust the ritual for the dead
'''Tis sown IN weakness II is raised in power
Softly the promi-e f5ated on the air,
And the sweet breathngs OF the sunset hour
Came back responsive to the mourner's prayer
Gently they laid him underneath the sod,
and LETT him with his fame his country, and his God
Let us rot weep for him whose deeds endure,
So young, 70 brave, 50 beautiful, he died
AS he had wished 10 die the past is sure
Whatever yet of sorrow may betde
Those who still linger by the stormy shore,
Change cannot harm him now nor fortune touch him
more.
And when Virginia leaning on her spear,
ElCuiE UidUd, the c0nhict done,
Shall raise her mailed hand TO wipe the tear
That arts as she recalls each martyred son.
No prouder memory her breast shall sway,
Than thine, our early lost lamented Latane
NOTE-The beautiful image in the concluding stanza
is borrowed (and Of the language is yersied from
the eloquent remarks Of the Hon. R. NJ T. Hunter, on
the death Of Ex xPresidsnt Tyler.