The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1866-10-24
P 0 e T X Y
THE BURIAL OF LATANE.
BY JOHN r. THOMPSON.

"The next squadron moved to the front under
the lamented Captain Latane, making a most
brilliant and successful charge with drawn sabres
upon the enemy's picket ground, and, after a
hotly contested hand to hand conflict, put him to
fight, but not till the gallant Captain had sealed
his devotion to his native soil with his blood"
Official Report of the Pamunkey Expedition
General j. +. B. Stuart, c. S. A.
"Lieutenant Latane carried his brothers dead
body to Mrs. Brock nbrough's plantation an hour
or two after his death. On this sad and lonely
errand 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 surren-
der himself prisoner. Mrs. Broken
brough sent for Episcopal clergyman to per-
form the funeral ceremonies, but the enemy
would not permit him to pass. Then, with few
other ladies, far-haired little girl, her apron
filed with flowers, and a few faithful slaves
who stood reverently n-ar, pious Virginia
matron read the solemn and beautiful burial SER
vice over the cold still form of of the nobest
gentlemen and most intrepid officers in the Con-
federate army. She watched the sods heaped
upon the coffin lid, then sinking on her knees, in
sight and hearing of the foe, she committed his
souls welfare, and the stricken hearts he had left
behind him, to the mercy of the Gan Father. -
Extract from private letter
The combat ragged not long, but ours the day;
And through the hosts that comprised
around
Our little band rode 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.
One moment on the battles edge he stood
Hopes halo, like helmet round his hair;
The next beheld him, dabbled in his blood.
PROSTATE in death, and yet in death how fair
Even thus he passed, through the red gate o
strife, f
From earthly crowns and palms to an immortal
life. .a.
A brother bore his body from the field,
And gave it unto strangers hands--that closed
The calm blue eyes, on earth forever sealed,
And tenderly the slender limbs composed
Strangers, yet sisters, who, with Mary's love,
Sat by the open tomb, and, weeping, looked above.
A little child atrewed roses on his bier
Pale roses not more stainless than his SOUL
Nor yet more fragrant than his life sincere,
That blossomed with good actions brief but
whole;
The aged matron and the faithful slave
Approached with rever emit feet the hero's lowly
grave. -..
No maa of God might say the burial rite
Above the fsrebei''-thus declared the foe
That blanched before him in the deadly fight,
But womans voice, in accents soft and low,
Trembling with pity, touched with pathos, read
Over his hallowed dust the ritual for the dead
F'Tis sown in weakness, it is raised in power"
Softly the promise hoated on the air.
And the sweet breathings of the sunset hour
Came back responsive to the mourner's prayer
Gently they laid him underneath the sod,
And left him with his fame, his country and his
God.
Let us not weep for him whose deeds endure,
So young, SO brave. so beautiful, he died
AS he had wished to die THE past is sure;
Whatever yet of sorrow may BE- tide
Those who still linger by the stormy shore,
Change cannot harm him now nor fortune touch
him more.
And when Virginia. leaning on har spear,
Victrix ct vidua, the conflict done,
Shall raise the mailed hand to wipe the tear
That starts as she recalls each martyred son,
No prouder memory her breast shall sway,
Than thine, our early-lost, lamented Lata-ne!
NorE.-Ths beautiful image in the concluding
stanza is borrowed (and some of the language ia
versifed) from the eloquent remarks of the Hon.
r. N. T. Hunter, the death of ex-President
Tyler.