Medical College of Virginia - X Ray Yearbook (Richmond, VA)

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DEDICATION The Burial of Latane, In William D. Washington lUik icmt aiane THE MEDICAL COLLEGE OF VIRGINIA once again pays a worthy tribute to the memory of one of her magnanimous graduates, who emerged from her halls in 1853, with all the hopes, aspirations, sympathy and understanding characteristic of the embryonic Doctor. William Latane was a product of the formative period which was developing these United States, and proceeded from a race of men whose characters were affected by the calmness and serenity of rural life. He had no superior socially, coming to manhood with unhurried development of character, not feverish or hysterical, but reflective, calm and strong. About his patriotism we know much — about his

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YEAR BOOK OF THE MEDICAL COLLEGE OF VIRGINIA 1941 48741 LIT ' - --. T y APR 13 1951 MED. COL. of VA. RICHMOND. VA. PUBLISHED BY THE STUDENT BODY

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professional career we know comparatively little, as personal data is limited. There is, however, a record of his having received a Doctorate Degree from the Medical College of Virginia. Yet, in either case, we know that he benefited Ins co mmunity and country more substantially than others of possibly greater renown, being possessed with vision, energy and delicate perceptions. His undaunted courage, and alert mind compassionately tilled with deep regard for the dignity of wholesome living, made him a physician who. m reality, was a community institution himself. So solicitous, so eager for its welfare, its sanity, health and its propriety, and so willing was he to believe in what he hail been taught, that his career was un- doubtedly an ultimate success. Life for him never seemed to have lost its morning vigor and freshness, because he drew freely from the wells ol living and learning, and gave his best to those he knew and loved. The crucible of the War Between the States found our nation in a nebulous state of affairs. William Latane cast his lot with his native state, Virginia, and became Captain oi the Essex Guards, fie fought va- liantly until he was killed in action, June 13, 1862, on the road between Hanover Courthouse and Old Church, when Stuart ' s cavalry made a raid around MeClellan. This hero was the only man killed in the skirmish on the road, and was buried under an old cherry tree in the Page burial ground. Today he lies quiescent in the same spot, and a shaft has now been placed over his remains by the Daughters of the Confederacy, with the following inscription: William Latane Captain Co. F. Essex Troop 9th Va. Cavalry C. S. A.. killed in action June 1,1, 1862. A brother bore his body from the field, ami a woman ' s voice read over the hallowed dust the ritual of the dead. It is, therefore, the soldier that we know best, because of the recorded lads, and this is enough to make him an enviable personage in the great line ol ' characters whom the Medical College of Virginia has trained. Mis burial has been made famous by a painting of William D. Washington, himself a confederate soldier, in which he depicts the burial at eventide, the grave surrounded by the families, and slaves, returning to Mother Earth the remains of this young hero. From this picture was inspired the poem by John R. Thomp- son which we give in part: Bui woman ' s voice, with accents soil, ami low, Trembling with pity touched, with pathos— read Oxer his hallowed dust the ritual of the ik M . Tis sown in weakness, it is raised in power . . . Softly the promise floated on the air. While the low breathings of the sunset hour Came back responsive to the mourners ' prayer. Gently they laid him underneath the sod. And left him with his lame, his country, and his Cod. And so; Vitrix el Vidua, the conflict done. Thou the late lamented Latane 1 d fe! g -A2. OlU ' fljl rJU(llll]TuClt? 0 UK noise. - , „., ,„y,„„,., „„ ,»MA»« »«■ ;,„„„ , ,« ,„„,,„„ ,„, ,„„,, , , A v a ,„, „„,„ „„; ,., .„„,, „. I ik tum ujiliir cuT ., ., ni tv ' , , ■„,,„,„„ , rr nun. , ,,, , r fu ryrmuui. nm rw , , r s ,me,, m ejjr ,- . , - . ' .- ' ' „ ,„ ,,„ ,,y,,„r„.„., „„, ,WA, r ,„■ ,„ muKMUiS. ,,„„ „,„ , „ „„„,, iHrtyinj QoctdSo ivnftawnr , „ ; „, ,r , rmuir, m ' riAyui muwmairf ,„ „„„ ' „ :, a It I William Latane; Dodo, ate Degree.