Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1865-12-23
For the Register.

Mr.. Zttle-Will you please crafty your
readers by publishing the little Poem annexed
and the explanatory extracts. Captain La
tame was from Essex county Virginia, and com
manded company in the GA Va. Cavalry,
and during Gen. Stuart's famous ride round
Mcclellan" was killed in a charge upon Inc
Federal cavalry. No white men were permit
ted or could attend his burial, and the ladies OF
the neighborhood performed that sad duty and
read the burial service over his grave, assisted
by few faithful servants. A child gathered
flowers, strewed them over his bier, and wa
tered them with her tears. The extracts will
explain the rest Let it be told a Mrmorisl
of the kindness and tender sympathies Of wo-
man.
THE BURIAL OF LATANE.
"The next squadron NOV ed to the front un-
der the lamented Captain Latane, making
most brilliant and successful charge with
drawn sabres upon the enemy's picked ground,
and after hotly contested hand 10 hand con-
hct, put them TO flight, but not until the gal
liant Captain had sealed his devotion to his ma
tive soil with his blood."-Stuart's Ctrepori
"Lieuteuant Latane carried his brothers
dead body to Mis-. Brockenbrough's plantation,
an hour or two after his death. On this sad
and lonely errand he met party of Yankees,
who followed to Mrs. BIS 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. Is. sent Tor
an Episcopal clergyman to perform the tuner
al ceremonies, but the enemy would not permit
him to pass Then with few other ladies', a
fair-haired little gIrl, her apron hlIed with
white flowers, and few faithful slaves VINO
stood reverently near, a plous Virginia matron
read Tie solemn and beautiful burial service
over the cold still form of one of the nobIest
gentlemen and intrepid officers in the conteder-
ate army She watched the sods heaped upon
the coffin lid, then sinking on her knees, IL
sight aud hearing Of the foe, she committed has
souls welfare, and the stricken hearts he had
left behind him, to the mercy Of the All-Fath-
er. ~ En- tract from prirate letter.
"The combat ragged not long, but over the day;
And through tho host: that composed US
around,
Our little band who proudly on its way,
Leaving one gallant comrade, glory crowned,
Unburied on the field he died to gain,
Single of all his men amid the hostile slain.
Gone moment on the battles edge he stood,
Hopes halo like a helmet round his head
! The next beheld him, dabbIed in his blood,
! PROSTATE in death and yet IN death how lar
! Even thus he passed, through the red gate oil
strife,
From earthly crowns and palms to an immor-
tai lie.
"A brother bore his body from the field,
And give It unto strangers hands that closed
The calm blue eyes, on earth for ever sealed,
And tendcrly the slender limbs composed
STRANGERS vet sisters, who, with Mary's love,
SAT by the open tomb, and weeping, looked
above.
t"A little child strewed roses on his bier
Pale roses not more stainless than his soul,
Nor vet more fragrant than his life sincere
That bossomed with good actions-brief but
whOle:-
The aged matron and the faithful slave
Approached with reYerent feet the hero's lone
ly grave.
"No man Of God might say tho burial rite
Above the "rebei''-thus declared the foe
That blanched before him in the deadly fight;
But woman's voice in accents soft and low,
Trembling with pity, touched with pathos, rend
Over his halowed dust the ritual for the dead.
q" ,Tis sown in weakness, ii is raised IN power,
Softly the promise foated on the air,
And tie sweet breathngs OF the sunset hour
Game back responsive to the mourner's prayer:
Gently they laid him underneath the sod,
And left him Ith his fame, his country and
his God"
J. X. THOMPSON.