It’s an image that is engrained in the memories of anyone growing up in Virginia through much of the 20th century. The Burial of Latane’, painted by William Washington in 1864, depicts a small group of Southern women and children assisted by slaves as they bury a fallen hero.

The portrait stirred a sense of commitment in the South and a realization of the true sacrifices made by Southern women during the war, and the death of Capt. William Latane’ of Essex County, a member of the Ninth Virginia Cavalry, Company F, is a story with deep Hanover roots.

The site of Latane’s burial lies just east of Studley Road in a small cemetery on Summer Hill Farm. For years, the former doctor and Confederate officer rested peacefully in the family cemetery in an unmarked but well maintained grave.

That all changed Saturday when members of the Capt. Wm. Latane’ Camp #1690, Sons of Confederate Veterans, dedicated a headstone to the fallen officer, complete with full CSA military honors. Almost a century and a half after he fell on a field not far from the plantation, more than 100 family members and friends gathered to unveil the stone marking the spot the famous painting portrays.

The story of Latane’s death is an intriguing tale of irony, bravery and dedication. Following the incident, news of the funeral was published in the Richmond press, and the account immediately drew the admiration and respect of fellow Southerners for the women who buried Latane’.

But the story begins much earlier in 1862 when Union Gen. George McClellan moved his Army of the Potomac to the Richmond area in the Peninsula Campaign. The city seemed in hopeless peril when Gen. Robert E. Lee assumed command of the Army of Northern Virginia after Gen. Joseph E. Johnston was wounded in battle.

The situation called for a flair readily supplied by flamboyant Southern cavalryman J.E.B. Stuart, who assembled his band of horsemen and rode around the Union Army, supplying important intelligence and enemy positions and strengths back to Gen. Lee.

The ride was a legendary moral boost for the South and a strategic success, but not without cost. Latane’ assumed command of a squadron when another leader was absent from the mission. The captain, a former Essex County physician, encountered Union troops near Old Church and some accounts tell of his being shot as many as five times after a furious hand-to-hand battle with the Union commander.

Latane’s brother, John, removed the dead captain from the field and proceeded to the nearest plantation to arrange a proper funeral. Westwood, still standing today, and its owner, Mrs. William Spencer Roane Brockenbrough, assumed the responsibility and called for slaves from the neighboring Summer Hill Plantation to build a coffin.

Mrs. Willoughby Newton of Summer Hill reportedly read the scripture while children and slaves bowed their heads in reverence as Latane’ was laid to rest. A poem written shortly after Latane’s death and published that summer, coupled with the 1864 painting, evoked a sense of deep pride in the patriotism of Southern women and offered solace to the widows of slain soldiers who found peace in the fact that strangers would take care of their husband’s remains.

Members of Latane’s family offered floral tributes to the fallen captain, and members of the St. Andrews Legion played an appropriate collection of songs on the bagpipes.

Jefferson Ellett of Latane’ Camp #1690 said the spirit and sacrifice of Latane’ deserves more than just a moment of reflection. “We stand here today on hallowed ground. He was a Virginian. He was an American hero and a child of the Almighty,” Ellett said in his opening remarks.

Allen Mock, representing the Virginia Society Military Order of the Stars and Bars, offered a moving tribute to the Confederate officer that captured the mood of the ceremony. “Men like Capt. William Latane’ often go without notice of recognition in today’s world,” Mock said. “They offered a service for their country and asked for nothing in return. Capt. Latane exemplifies the very best of the Officers Corps of the Confederacy.”

Featured speaker Arthur Taylor, Hanover Historical Society president and former Capt. William Latane’ Camp #1690 commander, delivered a detailed account of the incident in which Latane’ was killed and his eventual burial.

“The ladies of the South did what they are known for today,” Taylor said. “They took care of what had to be done. The ladies buried him right here where we stand at Summer Hill.”

Summer Hill Farm is still owned by the Newton family and many members attended the ceremony. Descendants of Latane’ also attended the event, and one said it was his first visit to the gravesite but not his first attempt.

Lawrence Latane’, a former staff writer for the Richmond Times-Dispatch, said he was glad to finally find the actual gravesite. “I had driven around one time years ago trying to find it and found Summer Hill,” Latane’ said. “I saw this grove of trees from the road and assumed it was the graveyard but wasn’t sure.”

Like many Southerners, Latene’ is familiar with the famous picture. “I grew up with it hanging on the wall, but this is my first visit to the site,” he said.

Latane’ now farms in Westmoreland and never envisioned such an elaborate ceremony for his great-great-uncle. “I never thought I’d be standing here at an event like this, but I am impressed and I think they did a great job.”

Regarding the painting, Latane’ respects its impact and unique place in the legacy of the Confederacy. “It kind of romanticized the war, and it’s a unique piece of art,” Latane’ said. “It’s an odd piece of Virginia and most people in this area know something about it.”

The painting originally hung in a Richmond studio, but was moved to the State Capitol to accommodate the large viewing public. In 1868, A.G. Campbell produced a steel engraving of the painting with Washington’s approval.

The Southern Magazine, established in 1871, offered the engraving free with a paid subscription, and many homes in Virginia featured a framed reproduction of the famous scene.

Today, the engravings sell for thousands of dollars on Internet sites and many Virginia homes still prominently display the famous icon.

While reports vary, the original “Burial of Latane’ ” reportedly hangs in a private residence in Gloucester County, but Lawrence Latane’ cannot confirm that. “I’ve never seen it.”