Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1913-04-25
Picture Found on the Battlefield
Restored After a half
Century,

| s ~ SOulcucfdt0 0OIQlcf Z
Daughter, from 518 George St.
Petersburg, W. Va.
| COL George R. Latham, distinguish
ed veteran OF the Civil War, now an
aged and respected resident of Buck
harmon, who since the war has given
distinguished service in peace, recent
ly had restored to him at the hand
OF q cne-time enemy of the
Southland a photograph which he lost
on the field Of battle and which q
Southern warrior found. As the
result of the intercession Of local
friends the picture was restored and
an exchange Of correspondence be-
tween the two veterans-the Confed-
crate veteran being N. M. Rhodes,
35th Virginia Cavalry, Co. E-has re-
suited, itself telling a remarkable
story.
Col. George Latham has sent. the
restored picture to DR.. r. L. Brown,
of this city, together with q copy of
Upshur Republican, in which the
veterans had theE correspondence
published the Dispatch News with the
newspaper clipping that it might re-
produce the unsual story of peculiar
interest to their comrades. The photo
graph was sent to DR.. Brown because
he had been instrumental in bringing
the finder and the owner together.
Col. Latham, in his letter to DR..
Brown says:
Backhannon, W. Va, April 8.
DR.. R. L. Brown,
Dear Doctor;-I enclose to you the
photo picked up fifty years ago near
Winchester, Va. Please return it at
your convenience.
Yours very truly,
GEORGE r. LATHAM.
Col. Latham, who was supposed by
the finder of the portrait to be dead,
is still vigorous and hearty individ.
ual, after distinguished service in
both war and peace, having served as
Republican. representative in Con-
gress and as consul to Melbourne.
Australia, since the war.
The following article, including the
correspondence best tells the whole
story and the Dispatch-News repro
duces in full from fhe Upshur Re.
publican.
The following sketch and letters
will be sufficiently explanatory as to
what may take place after lapse of
nearly fifty years:
Petersburg, Feb. %, 1913.
Col. Geo. R. Latham,
Buckhannon, W. Va.
My Dear Colonel:
Today l cut the enclosed clipping
from some newspaper which | read. l
take the liberty of sending it to you,
believing you will be glad to get it. l
shall take an interest in knowing
whether or not you received the pic
ture of yourself lost in 1868.
With kind personal regards to your
self and family, l am
Sincerely yours,
ROBT. L. BROWN.
The paper had the following:
Commander J. 81. Crippin, of the
local G. A. f. Post, is in receipt of
the following communication, and,
requests that it be published.
"Saumsville, Va,
Feb. 18th, 1915.
".Dear Sir:
"Can you inform me where the 9Th
W. Va. Cavalry was made up? have
a photograph Of its Colonel, G. r.
Latham, picked up some where about
Winchester, some time in June, 1868,
1 suppose the Colonel is dead, but l
think. he may have relatives with
whom I would like TO get in cores
pondence with a view of returning
them the picture if they feel an inter-
est in the matter.
81 also have a photograph of Maj.
General ]. Stahl, gotten at the same
time and place. I suppose the last
named is German. If you feel an
interest in either one of these men or
their friends, please let me hear from
you.
"Yours very respectfully,
"N. M. RHODES"
81 was member of the 35th Va.
Cav. Co E."
The following is Col. Latham's let
ter in answer to the inquiry;
Buckhannon, w Va,
Feb. oath, 1913.
Mr.. N. M. Rhodes,
Saumsville, Va.
Dear Sir:-U can almost say Com
rade, now.) A friend at Parkersburg
has just sent me a copy of your letter
of the 10th inst, to Commander Grip
pen. of Parkersburg, G. A. R. Post.
clipped from local paper; and I
thank you for the interest you have
taken in this matter, and will he very
much pleased to receive the photo.
"You see by this that am not dead,
as you supposed. lam just 81 years
of age, read and write without glasses,
and have my hearing and memory, a.
most as perfect as ever, though con-
TESS I am getting "Little Tired"
81 do not know whether Gen. Stahl
is living or not. but can find out, if
you wish; or, l think, you could get
the Information by writing to the
National Tribu me- at Washington.
Yours very truly, ETC.,
GEO. r. LATHAM. )"
Mr.. Rhodes Confederate Vet
eran-reply to Colonel Latham and
return of photo:
Saumsville, Va,
March End, 1913.
"My Dear Colonel:
| "Your letter received and was very