Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 24.djvu/201

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lamiliar to history by a p<>nn by John R. Thompson, published in " The I'nirt-rsity Memorial" and a painting under the same title, by William D. Washington, which was afterwards extensively copied. Washington's original painting is said to have sold for $10,000, and was aftrrwnrds destroyed by a fire in New York. The "copies" were numerous, and many of them can still be found in the North, as \\ell as the South, as the subject was one that excited general in- terest. The fact is not generally known, however, that the figures in the picture are all taken from models, who sat for the picture in Richmond, and are not the likenesses of the originals that figured in the pathetic scene of the burial at "Summer Hill," on the I4th of August, 1862. Captain Latane, 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 Richmond, and was in possession of the country surrounding Hanover Courthouse. Captain Latane's brother was first lieutenant of the same company, and when his brother was killed Lieutenant Latane took charge of the body, hop- ing to find friends to bury it. He found a negro boy driving the mill-cart from "Westwood," the home of Dr. William S. R. Brockenbrough, and the adjoining place to "Summer Hill," Mrs. Newton being a niece of Mrs. Brockenbrough's. Mrs. Brocken- brough took charge of the body, and, as a Federal picket was in possession of "Westwood," Lieutenant Latane was supplied with a horse by Mrs. Brockenbrough, and at once rejoined his command. This was on the i3th of August, 1862, and on the following day Captain Latane was buried at Summer Hill. The picture is a cor- rect portrayal of 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 to be conducted by the ladies of the two households, assisted by a few family servants that were too faith- ful to run away or that were too infirm for the Yankees to carry. It was indeed a scene worthy the language of any poet, the brush of any artist. Though a stranger to them personally, the young cap- tain's 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 filled by the faithful negroes the ladies sang " Nearer, My God, to Thee " and "Rock of Ages." Besides Mrs. Newton, there were present Mrs. Brockenbrough and her little daughter, supposed to be the