Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-07-19
THE RICHMOND DISPATCH-SUNDAY, JULY 49, 1896.

women OF the South, past and present.
In view OF this last, Il might not be In
appropriate at this time TO recall an In
cident of the struggle between the North
and South that Is IN measure familiar
TO all of those that still cherish me ten
derest memories OF the dead Confederacy;
but the true facts OF which are known
TO a comparative few II the Confede-
rate veterans when discussing the thrill
ing events of the early COS had gone
out TO Hanover Courthouse, a few
miles from Richmond, and then journeyed
TO Summer HILL" the estate Of Mrs.
Mary Page Newton, widow of Captain
William b. Newton, Confederate States
army they would have found IN the fami-
IL burying-ground a grass-covered grave
but with no monument TO the honor OF
the sleeping soldier beneath, no epitaph
20 his virtues. or TO tell how and when
he died. There among the whispering
pines lies the remains OF William Latane,
captain Of the Essex Troop, Ninth Resi-
ment. Stuarts Brigade. THE Burial OF
Latane" has been made familiar to his
tory by a poem by John r. Thompson,
published in THE University Memorial"
and painting under the same title by
William Il. Washington. which was af-
forwards extensively copied Washing
toms original painting Is said 10 have
sold for $4,000, and was afterwards de-
stroyed by a fire In New York. The
copies" were numerous, and many OF
T, them can still be found in the North as
well as the South. as the subject was
one that excited general interest. The
lact IS not generally known, however.
that the figures in the picture are all
! taken from models, who sat for the pic
IN, - frf. nj me- Ia
| nesses OF the originals that figured in
the pathetic scene OF the burial at Sum
rer Hill" on the 18th OF August, 1862
Captain Iatane, who was a mere boy,
was killed on the road from Hanover
Courthouse to Old Church. At that time
McClellan's army was close on TO Hicn-
mond. and was IN possession OF the
country surrounding Hanover Courthouse.
Captain Latanes brother waS first lieu-
tenant Of the same company, and when
his brother was killed Lieutenant L.
tame took charge OF the body, hoping 10
find friends TO bury It. He found negro
boy driving the mlll-cart from West
wood" the home OF DR.. William $. x.
Brockenbrough. and the adjoining place.
70 Summer HILL" Mrs. Newton being
niece Of Mrs. Brockenbrough's. Mrs.
Brockenbrough took charge OF the
body, and, as a Federal picket was
in possession Of "vVestHood." Lieutenant
Latane was supplied with a horse by Mrs.
Brockenbrough, and at once rejoined his
command. This was on the 18th Of Au-
gust, 1862, and on the following day Cap
tain Latane was buried at Summer Hill
The picture is a correct portrayal or the
burial with the exception OF the mythical
figures An Episcopal minister was sent
for TO read the services, but he was not
allowed TO pass the pickets, and as the
men were all In the army the funeral had
10 be conducted by the ladies' OF the two
households, assisted by few family SER
va 1fs that were to- faithful TO run away
or that were too infrm for the Yankees
10 carry. II was indeed a scene worthy
the language Of any poet, the brush OF
any artist. Though a stranger 20 them
personally, the young Captains cause
was their cause, and his principles their
principles, so tenderly and gently they
placed him IN his grave, and the young
girls covered him over with flowers. Mrs.
Newton read the burial service Of the
Episcopal Church. and as the grave was
being filed by the faithful negroes the
ladies' sang Nearer. Ny God to Thee"
and Rock OF Ages" Besides Mrs. New
ton, there were present Mrs. Broken
brough and her little daughter, supposed
TO be the child in the picture; her two
nieces, Misses Maria and MAJ Dabney;
Mrs. DR.. ]. Philip Smith. and Miss Judith
White Newton, afterwards Mrs. Edwin
c. Claybroo.I. A thread Of romance has
always been wound around % incident
which was possibly due 10 Thompson's
poem and Washin gton's painting. 1t is
said that young Latanes sweetheart re-
quested picture Of the tra yic affair. and
when this idea Vas suggested TO the ar
tlst he made his picture as true to life as
possible, only substituting other figures
for the originals Mr.. Washington visited
Summer Hiu for the purpose OF getting
the correct scenery. and In this respect
his picture IL true 10 nature. Mrs. New
ton is stu living at Summer Hill and
Mrs. Brockenbrough IS ut tho Church
Home In Richmond. The rest Of those
present al the burial have themselves
now gone 20 Join the silent majority"
Captain Latane was a brother OF Bishop
I.atane. OF the Reformed Episcopal
Church. who now lives in Baltimore, and
the ladies' that buried young Latane were
the near kin OF Bishop Newton. OF the
Episcopal Church OF Virginia, although at
that time the two families did not know
each other.
Bishop Latane. In speaking recently Of
his brothers death, said that his family
had often thought OF moving their
brothers remain 70 Hollywood, in Rich
mond. or TO the old home in Essex coun-
t., but Virginia homes are changing hands
so often now that they had decided 10 let
him sleep In the graveyard at Summer
HILL where he was tenderly placed by
sympathetic friends. r. C. 81