The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-02-22
Sfunrt's Ride Around Mcclellan, and
the Denth of Lntnnc.

Sfunrt's Ride Around Mcclellan, and
the Death of Lntnne.
paper read before Wright Latane
Camp. Confederate Veterans, Tappa-
hammock, Va. December 81, 1896, by
Hon. William Campbell. Company T.
NTH Virginia Cavalry, and adjutant
ofezaid Campo
nm Intervention OF more than thirty
four years. 10 write urom memory my
recollecaions OF Stuart's famous ride
around AIcClellan's army in the early
summer of 1862. and also of the death
OF Captain William Latane, OF the
Essex Light Dragons, who fell in a.
charge made b. his squadron upon the
enemy near the old Church" in Han
over County, Va.
Captain Latar.. son OF Henry War
ing and Susan Allen latane, was born
a The Meadow" on the 10th of jan
''Ary. 1899. and grew TO mans estate
surrounded by home influences not In
fcrior 20 any in Virginia. After re-
ceiving such training az the surround
ing educational institutions could af-
ford, he began the study OF medicine at
the University Of Virginia in OCTOBER.
1851. Here he remained until the fol-
lowing summer. not Offering for grad
uation In the fall OF 1852, for some
unexplained reason, he did not return
to the university, but transferred the
scene OF his studies TO the RiChiSo nd
Medical College. where he graduated
in tho spring OF 1883. The following
winter ne spent in Philade lph!a. taking
q postgraduate course AT one OF the
medical schools OF that city. and also
attending the hospital practice of the
city. On returning home in the spring
or 1854, ho located II The Meadow
ana at once became q candidate FOR the
practice Of medicine. Here he re-
L pf
war. not only attending TO his orac-
tlce--which soon became extensive, in
consequence OF his doing large
amount OF charity practice among the
poor around him--but giving success
ful attention 10 his large farm: and
in the management OF tt.e labor on this
farm ne was without any thought OF
IL on his part thus receiving pre-
liminary training for the handling OF
large bodies OF soldiers when the clash
OF arms should come upon MS ioNca
country. This would surely have been
realized. had not hts young life been
so suddenly snatched away.
Early in 1851. when Mir. Lincoln made
his call for troops to put down what
he termed the rebellion" there was a
rush TO arms all over Virginia. and
soon n cavalry company, called the Es-
sex Light Dragons, was formed. elect
ing as their officers DR.. Il. S. Cauthorn.
captain; William l.. Waring, ilrst lieu
tenant: William y. oliver. second lieu
tenant and William Latane, third lieu
tenant The company was soon mus
tered into tho Confederate service Tor
ono year. In the spring OF 1867 II he
came necessary 10 rc-enlist the men
and reorganize the company. and IN
this reorganization. by common con-
sent H:ii.::.:. Latane was made captain.
1t was about this time that your writer
made the acquaintance OF his captain.
found him n man OF small stature and
quiet demeanor, but quick 10 perceive
the wrong and very assertive in his
opposition to II. lie commanded the
confidence of his men by his even
handed justice TO all. and at the same
time he hrookcd no disorder. Soon ar
ter the reorganization he was ordered
TO report with his company at Hicks's
Hill, near Fredericksburg, TO become
one of the constituent companies OF the
Ninth Virginia Cavalry, of which w.
H. T.. Lee, Il son of General r. H. Lee,
was colonel; II. l.. n. Beale. lieutenant
colonel and Thomas Waller. major.
The Essex Light Dragons became
Company of that famous regiment.
and in the years that followed few OF
the recruits knew the company by its
original name. The month OF service
around Fredericksburg amounted to
little except picket and drill duty, but
McClellan's landing on the Peninsula
and his march on Richmond made il
necessary for us to retire to the lines
around that city. Our regiment found
n camp near Young's Millpond, and not
far from the Brook Turnpike, occupy
ing Il position on the extreme left of
the army defending Richmond. Moth
ing OF special interest occurred during
the following month other than the
usual routine camp life.
But on Thursday, June IL, came or
dcrs to prepare three days rations and
hold ourselves ready TO march at q
moments notice. There was naturally
suppressed excitement and speculation
as TO what we were to do or where we
were to go, but no news came, and we
could only indulge in speculation as to
our destination. About ] o'clock Il. NJ.
the regimental hugler sounded saddle
up" which was caught up by the com
Dany buglcrs and soon the camp was in
commotion. ITO horse" was soop
sounded, and through the whole camp
could be heard the command of the Of
ncers, Fall In, men," Companies were
formed and our regiment marched out
of camp to participate I'm the most MEM
orable and daring raid that was made
during the war. We marched IN the
direction OF Hanover Courthouse and
went into camp after dark. having
marched some fifteen miles. Early
dawn on the following morning found
us in, the saddle, the Ninth Virginia in
tho front, and our squadron, composed
Of the Mercer Cavalry. OF Spotsylvana,
and our company hcing in the front Of
tho regiment, the McrccP being I'm adj
vance. Captain Crutchneld being alb
sent, Captain Latano commanded the
squadron, and, OF course, rode in front
Immediately in tho rear of Colonel Lee
and staff.
Courthouse ana OH toward tho Cid