Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 39.djvu/101

 Stuart's Ride and Death of Latane. 89

nient. Your writer was one of those on the left. Moving for- ward, not seeing an enemy or supposing one to be near, I sud- denly heard the command to charge, and then the clash of arms, with rapid pistol shots. Riding rapidly towards the firing, 1 found our squadron occupying the road and two companies of the Fifth United States Regulars attempting to form in a field near at hand, and Lieutenant Oliver urging his men to charge them. This was promptly done, and the enemy driven to the woods. Just before reaching the timber, I overtook Lieutenant McLane, of the Federals, and he, seeing the utter futility of resistance, surrendered. As I was taking him to the rear, I met Colonel Lee and was told by him of the death of Captain Latane.

He ordered me to turn my prisoner over to the guard, and then go and look after my captain. I soon found his body, surrounded by some half a dozen of his men, one of whom was his brother, John — who was afterwards elected a lieutenant in the company, and the following year he, too, sealed his devo- tion to his country with his life. Another of those present was S. W. Mitchell, a sergeant in the company, and, I wish to add, as gallant a spirit as ever did battle for a country.

Mitchell, being the stoutest man present, was selected to bear the body from the field. He having mounted his horse, we tenderly raised the body and placed it in front of him. John Latane then mounted his horse, and he and Mitchell passed to the rear, while the rest of us hurried to join our command on its perilous journey. I wish I could write my feelings as I looked upon the form of him who but a few moments before was the embodiment of life and duty. I wish I could describe to you the beautiful half Arabian horse that he rode, "The Colonel," and how splendidly he sat him, but I fully realize that I am not equal to the task. John R. Thompson, in his beauti- ful poem, "The Burial of Latane," and William D. Washing- ton, in his painting of the same name, have, by pen and brush, so enshrined the name of Latane in the hearts of the people of our Southland that it will endure as long as men are ad-