For each question, answer the question completely using proper English and make sure to proofread! You must also respond to at least one other student post to receive full credit.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Chapter Three:Burying"New Lessons Caring for the Dead"
Why was William Latane's burial so significant during and after the Civil War? Do you believe it should have been as important as it was? Why or why not?
The burial of William Latane was so significant during, as well as after the Civil War, because it defied the norms that the war had imposed upon death. The idea of a fallen soldier receiving such a beautiful funeral service, behind enemy lines no less, “became quite literally iconic.” Such a thing had remained unheard of up until Latane was “killed during J.E.B Stuart’s legendary ride around McClellan’s army during the Peninsula Campaign of 1862.” Latane’s burial suggested that despite the circumstances, a “Good Death” was still attainable for Civil War soldiers. This idea is extremely significant because it provided soldiers something that they were frequently deprived of; hope.
However, I do not believe that William Latane’s burial should have been as important as it was. Considering the sheer amount of deaths that took place during the Civil War, the fact that one soldier received such a picturesque burial is close to meaningless. I appreciate that Latane’s funeral was most likely responsible for an increase of both sides moral. An event that displayed such caring was bound to have an effect during a time when cold, hard death had become so commonplace.
William Latane’s death was so significant during and after the Civil War, because it let people have an “understanding of war’s carnage.” (82). Latane’s death served as a prime example of how the war affected everyone. His burial gained publicity after “Artist Washington decided in 1864 to portray the incident in paint” (83). Civilians saw how death was so common in the war that it became almost ignored. William Latane was left helpless and alone, rotting “amid civilians surrounded by Union forces” (83), until a few citizens decided to give him the proper burial that every soldier deserved. I believe that his death should have been as important as it was, because it was the first time that citizens could see how devastating the war was. People had heard the stories of men dying and how awful the war was, but few citizens had seen death up close and this gave them a chance to do so.
William Latane's death held such significance because it signified how a good death could be obtained in the army despite the ongoing carnage surrounding. Left behind union lines after J.E.B. Stuart's ride around McClellan's army during the Peninsula Campaign of 1862, Latane received burial from civilians who had their slaves construct him a coffin and dig his grave, "and a white Virginia matron read the burial service over his remains." Intrigued by Latane's demise, "artist Washington decided to portray the incident in paint...." This portrait was hung in his Richmond studios, "where it attracted "throngs of visitors" eager to see this depiction of Christian and Confederate sacrifice." "The painting undertook important cultural work, linking southern war death to Christian tradition..." Basically, this painting helped to soften peoples fears and give them hope as they feared for their loved ones fighting in the war.
Despite the hope Latane's death gave to the people, i do not believe his death should of held such importance. Thousands of men died in every battle held throughout the civil war. Making the death of a lieutenant more important than that of the other soldiers does injustice to all the other soldiers. Every Fallen mans death should hold great importance as it is a loss of life and a life given for a united cause. I believe Nick to be correct on how "an event that displayed such caring was bound to have an effect during a time when cold, hard death had become so commonplace." Of course people would be impressed that one could receive such a "good death" when all around them lay rotting corpses and misery.
William Lantane's burial was so significant during and after the Civil War bacause. William was the only Confederate death behind enemy lines and was buried by civilians from the North. Slaves had even built his coffin. William Latane's burial shouldn't have been as important as it was because all of the other soliders who were from the South that died in combat didn't get that kind of treatment. The most the others had gotten was a blanket and dirt thrown upon them, so his burial shoundn't had been as important it was.
William Lantane's burial was a significant part of the civil war because it became "quite literally iconic". Lantane died during the famous ride of J. E. B. Stuart around McClellan's army. He was the only casualty of the ride and he died behind enemy lines. His burial consisted of a coffin built by slaves,burial services read by a Virginian Matron, and a number of socially prominent women who attended the funeral. A painting was made to represent this 'beautiful' death ceremony. Visitors came to see the "depiction of Christian and Confederate sacrifices".
Even though Lantane was lucky enough to receive a burial, I do not believe that he should have received it. 600,000+ died, and within that number very few received good burials. Many important men were merely thrown into ditches or shallow graves. So many volunteered to bury the dead. But even hen the best they could hope for was a blanket. Every one of the men deserved the burial that Lantane had, but few got them. So even though it impressed the people, it was not so impressive to those who lay rotting in the field.
I agree with you when you said that very few, from the North or South, received that type of special treatment. He was protected from most of nature's elements. Others, when buried, were uncovered by erosion and wind.Storms destroyed the trenches of dead bodies, sending them floating down the road. Some of these men were even more important then lieutenants. I agree that he shouldn't have received these treatments.
I believe Williams death was so significant because it showed a "good death". Which was unexpected when in the army at the time. The burial protected him from the elements,the war, and any other thing that could harm his body. I think it deserved the impotance that it got. because of the hope it gave civilians and soldiers a like. It showed civilians that a good death and burial was possible even in time of war and despair. Even though it was just one soldier who had this beautiful burial it raised moral for civilians and soliders alike.
William Latane's burial was very significant during the Civil War. It was very common to have just one burial service for many soldiers at once. "It was our habit to have one service for several bodies that were uncovered."(82) They would even do that for their own soldiers. So, to have a beautiful burial for a single, enemy soldier was very significant. The burial recieved its own poem and historic painting. The poem and painting gave hope to civilians and soldiers. A hope that their loved ones, or themselves, could die a "good death," with a proper burial.
William Latane's burial should not have been as important as it was, though. He was a lieutenant for the opposing south. If a significant burial is to take place, the more ideal person would be a northern general, or great hero. Sure it was a great thing to do, to experience how death isn't always so bad, but for a basically random soldier, it should not have been so great for him.
I do not agree with you when you said that his death should have been as important as it was. He was a not too high ranking single southern soldier. Sure it is good to have citizens see death up close, and how it can be good, but it was a random act of kindness. The north should have chosen a more worthy person that represented their side better to give a wonderful burial for.
Like everyone else explained, William Latane’s death was so significant because amidst all of the carnage, mass graves, and death that the Civil War had caused, people were able to give one man a decent and elaborate burial. Latane was the sole Confederate causality during J.E.B Stuart’s ride around McClellan’s army. “Slaves built his coffin and dug his grave, and a white Virginia matron read the burial service over his remains.” This funeral was a reminder that a Good Death and proper burial was still possible in the middle of the war. This funeral was even captured on canvas by artist Washington that was “…hung in his small Richmond studio, where it attracted ‘throngs of visitors’...” It was also written about in poems and numerous newspaper articles. It was so significant after because everyone wanted to see the “depiction of Christian and Confederate sacrifice.” It even became a “standard decorative item” in southern homes.
As others said, I don’t believe that this burial should have been so important. Soldiers that died in the Civil War rarely got any form of a decent burial, if they were lucky enough to even get a burial. Many got sheets thrown over them or piled into graves. “‘They dig holes,” he wrote “and pile them in like dead cattle and have teams to draw them together like picking pumpkins.’” There were so many that died that the living sometimes didn’t even have time to move their bodies from the battlefield. Burial was important to the fallen because it was their “‘…surviving identity…”’. Thousands were unable to have a burial of any kind, so I don’t think that Latane’s burial should have been so important.
Jordan, I agree with your statement “Every Fallen mans death should hold great importance as it is a loss of life and a life given for a united cause.” I agree that every life lost was important and that every man, even though at the time inconceivable, should have been remembered for their sacrifice for their country and given somewhat of a proper burial. Many men were stripped of a proper burial, and some lost their identity because of the systems like mass graves.
William Latane's burial was so significant because it provided hope for people, showed a "good death" was not inexistent, and because it was very different then many of the deaths of the Civil War. This burial provided hope for people, especially soldiers, because his burial proved that a "Good Death" was still existent. It also proved to be so much different than all of the other deaths of the Civil War. In the Civil War, systems such as mass graves and trenches were prominent especially in these times. His proper burial was something unheard of and very honorable. Latane’s burial was important and honorable, as it provided hope for many people in hard times. However I do not believe it should have been as important as it was. Although one death is tragic and affects many people, many, many soldiers died during the Civil War. In a way this beautiful burial is disrespectful to the thousands of other soldiers who died and did not receive any burial whatsoever.
Jordan I completely agree with your statement “Every Fallen man’s death should hold great importance as it is a loss of life and a life given for a united cause." That is why I believe that his burial was somewhat disrespectful to the thousands of soldiers whose deaths were not even acknowledged.
The burial of William Latane was an event that "became quite literally iconic" (83) during the time of the Civil War. He was killed during the Peninsula Campaign of 1862. Being the only casualty and left "behind enemy lines, amid civilians surrounded by Union forces" (83), he was properly interred and given a "decent burial" complete with a funeral and prayers. This scene was painted by William D. Washington in 1864. It was regarded as a way of "connecting it [Latane's death] to a community that extended well beyond the white men who had fought alongside him" (85). People considered his death an act of patriotism and had a renewed sense of strength to fight. They felt they needed to honor those who died for their Southern cause by not letting them pass in vain. After the war, it became "maintenance of Confederate memory" (83). It showed the civilians' connection to the battlefield and their support of the soldiers fighting for them. I agree that this was a very significant event. People were forced to realize the price of war: death. They were forced to accept the true horrors on the battlefront. I think the war was treated a lot more seriously after this event because people realized that the loss of a single human life was very sad, and with the increasing death tolls, the thousands of human lives lost was a tragedy. Civilians did not take the war lightly anymore and exhibited the importance of support and commitment to their soldiers.
I agree with what you said. In the rough times of war where a decent burial was becoming scarce, it gave hope by showing there was still some good in the midst of evil. I agree with your statement that even though he was just one soldier, such an act "raised moral for civilians and soldiers alike." This event showed soldiers that the people back home did support their cause and wanted to honor their bravery. Well said.
You made a very good point. Many soldiers did die in the Civil War and did not receive proper burials. With the popularity of mass graves and trenches, the dead were not treated with the care they should have had to follow "decent burial" principles. You are correct- this elaborate burial could be seen as disrespectful to the many other soldiers that died and did not receive a burial. The fact that one soldier was singled out and buried well does not make up for the thousands who recieved no such thing. Nice job.
CJ I do not agree with what you had said for William Latane's death and its importance. Even though his death represented what he was fighting for, he shouldn't have been honored like he was. His death was simply an act of kindness from the north. He was just another soldier that died for what he believed in.
William Latane's burial was so significant during and after the Civil War because it was a “Good Death”. It was because even a fallen soldier on enemy lines can have a proper burial. The burial of a fallen soldier on the other army had not happened up till this point. It just happened that he was “killed during J.E.B. Stuart’s legendary ride around McClellan’s army.” He was given a “Good Death” thanks to enemies.
I believe that William Latane’s burial was not as important as it was. There were a lot of deaths throughout the duration of the Civil War, so this wasn’t that important. Each death is important, so this one should not be such a big deal. This one death didn’t change how people were buried when they fell on the battlefield. It was not that important.
I agree with you when you say that the burial was important because they were used to have one burial service for many soldiers. I like how you said that it got a painting and a poem. I also agree that this burial was not that important. I like how you said "If a significant burial is to take place, the more ideal person would be a northern general, or great hero." Good job.
"Slaves dug his grave" that in my opinion is the only important part of the burial. The fact that the same people who can see the pain of war, and ignore the pain of slaves, shows how far the south had to go. As for the battle, the confederates were lucky and McClellan was as was his general state a fool the burial was half sadness and half celebration it is a grim reality that there is no glory for the dead. W.T Sherman said “There is many a boy here today who looks on war as all glory, but boys, it is all hell.” the burial was nice but the hell would continue it always does in war. The change in death or the honor is still death. -Patrick Tidwell
William Latane's death was so significant simply because the attention and care that was givin to william was very uncommon. There were so many deaths in this war that hardly even the highest of officers were givin this treatment. Especially behind enemy lines, this wonderful funeral service was one in a million, literally.
I can not really explain my full opinion of why or why not this should of been such a big deal. The fact that were so many deaths and not one them got this treatment, execept maybe Albert Frost, the whole idea was totally overdone. But in another aspect to it, as the slaves bury Latane, it shows that they can see within their very eyes the pain that this war is causing. And still in the midst of this, the main cause for the war(slavery)is participating in the involvement of the after math to the war.
hank hammond In response to Tanner I sort of agree with you that William Latane's death was not important. After all, it was just one death in the midst of over 600,000 more. Yet I also believe in the significance that there was a slave burying the man. This says that even as this whole tragic war was caused by slavery, the confederates still could not give up their usage for the blacks.
William Latane's death was so significant becuase it showed that in the midst of war there can still be the "good death". It showed that even on enemy lines a soldier can still be buried properly. This burial gave the soldiers hope that once death was apon them they still had a chance at a good death no matter where they were to fall.
I don't in fact believe that it should have been as important as it was portrayed. It was a burial for a man who was not high in rank he just died at the right place and the right time in order to have a proper burial. So many people died and one burial should not have made such an impact. I do believe that it in fact helped raise the spirits and moral of many soldiers.
I agree with HankOffspring3097 when he said,"And still in the midst of this, the main cause for the war(slavery)is participating in the involvement of the after math to the war." This is what in fact made this burial so important because in the midst of fighting for their freedom they were still in slaved and it is wrong that the slaves had to bury one of the many people they were fighting against.
William Latane's death and burrial was such a significant event because he was the onley soldier to die in J.E.B Stuarts ride around McClellan's army. He waskilled behind enamy lines and just left there.But what made it so important is that civillians gave this soldier a propper burrial despite the fact that he was a soldier from the army fighting against theiwr country. I dont think it should be as a big deal as it was but it was defiately was important and the people needed tohear obout it. It showed that there is still love in people for others and shows that their belief in a good death and its importants was so strong that they believed that everybody deserves it, even their enamies.
William Latane died in the hands of he enemy and yet he was given a proper burial. That has a lot to say about the North, they are willing to show their respect for a man that is fighting against them. Thus, giving many soldiers during the war a chance to experience respect across enemy lines. Many of the posts above mine justify that Latane's burial was so important because it gave civilians hope. That when the war ended the North and South would maybe re-unite after such a huge disagreement.
I believe that William Latane's burial was a great way for the Union to prove they were the better people. By giving an enemy soldier such a significant burial, this showed that there was truly a value for a "Good Death." The burial was so important an artist painted this famous painting that many civilians hung in their houses because "The painting seeks to define and celebrate Confederate nationalism, identifying the soldier's corpse as at once the source of and the meaning for the body politic." (85). To me, the burial should have been that essential because without realizing, the burial had a way of bonding the North and South, and that in itself is very important during a war.
William Latane's burial was important because Latane was killed and "left behind enemy lines," However, slaves built him a coffin and dug his grave. Then civilians and Union troops paid their respects and gave him a proper burial. It showed the soldiers and civilians that even in such brutal circumstances as war, enemies could be shown respect.
In some ways, his death should not have been important. For example, most fallen soldiers were buried in trenches filled with many other bodies. However, I believe the burial gave hope to both Union and Confederate soldiers. Hope that maybe they could receive a proper burial. It also gave hope to the civilians. It gave them hope that after the war, the North and South could be reunited.
William Latane’s burial was so significant during and after the civil war because even though he was left behind enemy lines, he was able to experience a proper burial. His coffin was built and his grave was dug by slaves. A white Virginia matron even read him a burial service. Most soldiers did not receive such treatment directly after death during the Civil War, let alone behind enemy lines. This event was so significant that artist William D. Washington painted the incident. People were “eager to see this depiction of Christian and Confederate sacrifice”. Latane received a burial that every soldier should have received.
I believe that this event should have been as important as it was. However, I also think that people should have followed this example of a good burial so that other soldiers could have the same experience. I understand that there was not always time for this in the Civil War, but I think they could have at least tried to make the burials a little bit more civilized. For example, they could have done a better job in giving everyone a separate grave or at least a small burial service.
I agree with you about the significance of this burial. I never really thought about the idea that people didn’t fully understand the devastation of war until it was depicted like this. However, I do believe that if they did not understand the full devastation of death that they may have been misguided by this depiction. They might not know that not everyone was treated with such respect at the time of burial, but at least the event gave people a little reassurance.
William Latane’s burial was so significant in the Civil War because it distinguished the right to a proper burial after one’s passing. This death was no different than any other. This man died in battle; as had many others before him. If he got the special opportunity to have a proper burial service, shouldn’t every other soldier that died? Since so many soldiers were just put into holes with a blanket and no coffin, Latane should have had the same done to him. His death brought the perspective of the “Good Death” to the battlefield. Personally, I think his death was over-exaggerated and more important than it needed to be. He was just another man dying for what he believed in. Every soldier that fought should have gotten this special treatment because they all fought for what they believed in.
I would have to agree with you when you state that the only important part of the burial was that “Slaves dug his grave.” It is kind of ironic how this Confederate soldier was treated. He was fighting for slavery but slaves made sure he had a “Good Death.” He was just an ordinary soldier who died in the war with many others. The quote you selected by W. T. Sherman summed up the reality of war. It was and still is hell on Earth.
William Latane’s burial was significant because it was very unusual for just one soldier to get that kind of attention when he died. He was given a “Good Death” by the same people he had tried to kill. It showed that even in harsh circumstances of war, not everything is bad. However, I do not think his burial should have gotten as much attention. It was irrelevant compared to the thousand of other soldiers that died in the Civil War. He got special treatment and a proper burial while many other fallen soldiers got no recognition and only had a blanket for a coffin.
William Latane's death held such significance during and after the Civil War because it was so unusual during that time. It provided hope for the soldiers that there still might be a 'good death' for them, while also drawing the general public's attention to the sheer amount of men that were dying. Although it was very important for both of the previous to come about, I do not think that his death should have been so publicized. Many soldiers died during that war, and for one man to get as much attention as he did is absurd. He was literally 1 in 600,000. Therefore, even though his death brought a few good things about, I do not think it should have had as much attention as it did.
I agree with you when you say that William Latane's death should have been an example that was followed. However, because it was not, and because most soldier's death's were ignored, I disagree with you on the fact that you say his death should have been important as it was.
William Latane's burial was so significant during and after the Civil War because it reminded many people of all those who were killed, either a nice funeral or just put layed to rest in a hole. It reminded soldiers of the "Good Death" and that they could still achieve this at the end of their lives'.
I didn't believe that this one death should've been this important in the first place. Almost 500,000 soldiers lost their lives and William's was significant out of all of them i just don't think thats right. But one thing that this man's death did help was reminding everyone of the "Good Death" and that it could still be rewarded.
I completely agree with your opinion. It doesn't make sense, that this one man's death is so important as it should have been. There was proabably many funerals/burials just like William's but the news of them didn't spread very far like his. But it did help raise moral on both sides during the war.
William Latane's burial was different than any other burials before his. He seemed to get the luxury care, compared to other fellow soldiers. His burial was so significant during and after the Civil War because he was the only Confederate casualty during J.E.B. Stuarts ride around McClellan's army. He was left behind enemy lines, slaves built his coffin, dug his grave, and a white Virginia matron read the burial service. The service showed soldiers that there can be a good burial and to not lose hope of a "good death." Unlike many others, I do believe Latane's burial should have been as important as it was. I say this because it was so unique for something like this to happen. It showed that the North cared about the people they were fighting against. The burial gave hope to other soldiers. I do believe William Latane's burial should have been so significant and get attention, it gave hope and showed what kind of people the North are.
I completely agree with you on how "people should have followed this example of a good burial." It is probably true that there was not always time, but "they could have at least tried to make the burials a little bit more civilized," as you said. The soldiers seemed to not care and just put the bodies in trenches and walk away, not trying.
I agree with your statment that it was unique to have a Confederate die on enemy lines. Also, when you said it gave people hope, I believe that is very true. Since, a man had to die on enemy lines, it was very unique to have the Union show such a great amount of respect for the fallen soldier.
I agree with you when you said that William Latane's death should not have been so publicized because he was literally 1 in 600,000. Although his burial was very nice and it brought a few good things about, I don't think one man's death should have been so important.
The burial of William Latane was so significant during, and after the Civil War because it was very unusual for one man to receive such a "good death". It showed that the enemy had compassion by giving him a proper burial. The painting of his burial linked "southern war death to Christian tradition" and connected it to "a community that exteneded well beyond the white men who had fought alongside him." (pages 84-85). IT showed how everyone, black or white, Confederate or not, helped out to give this man the burial he deserved. However, I do not think it should have received as much attention as it did. A few good things came from it, but he was only one man. Every soldier who fought in the war deserved a good burial, and to focus in on just one death does not seem fair to the other soldiers who fought just as hard for their country as he did.
William Latané’s burial held extreme significance during and after the Civil War because it was a symbol of mourning for the “Lost Cause” of the Confederacy. Latané’s death was not only an exemplary tribute to the Southern departed but, as the Confederate Veteran acknowledged in 1929, it also portrayed “the spirit of the women of the South.” The burial symbolized the united hopes and fears of the entire Confederacy because of the limitless amounts of young Southern soldiers dying alone on unknown soil. The women who buried Latané grew to be every mother’s wish for her son, might he meet a similar end. John Thompson, owner of Confederate newspaper, the Southern Literary Messenger, described the death and burial of Captain Latané as not only an acclamation to “our early lost, lamented Latané,” but to the women of compassion who had laid him to rest. Historians Mark E. Neely, Jr., Harold Holzer, and Gabor S. Boritt proclaim that Latané’s death “transformed into one of the best-known and most deeply mourned [death] of all the lower-echelon casualties of the war.” The burial of William Latané deserves every part of its publicity. It is a wonderful example of a nation pulling together. It’s touching to witness how a group of women could acknowledge the fact that “combat respected no boundaries” (80) and make an effort to alleviate some of the anguish of this ominous truth. The burial of Latané is an important thing to commemorate because it is a “depiction of Christian and Confederate sacrifice” (84). The Confederacy had thirteen million less citizens than the Union and they were often the bigger people. Latané is evidence for the overlooked compassion of the South. The burial of Latané was right to have been as notable as it was, and it deserves to be remembered as it will be.
RE: C.J. I was struggling to find the ideal sentence to illustrate my point when I came across yours. “Latane’s death served as a prime example of how the war affected everyone.” This is exactly what I was trying to say in my response to the question. You also said that Latané was alone until “a few citizens decided to give him the proper burial that every soldier deserved.” I am very glad that you said this. It confirms what I said about how the women heroically buried a man they didn’t know because it was the humane thing to do. Not many people in the Civil War carried out their businesses humanly. This is one of the main reasons why William Latané’s burial is incredibly remarkable.
I have to disagree with your statement,” this whole tragic war was caused by slavery.” While I agree the abolishment of slavery became a focus of the North in the later stages of the war, I do not believe it was the spark the ignited the conflict. The Civil War was fought to prevent the Southern states secession from the Union.
William Latane's burial was so significant during and after the Civil War because it gave hope to soldiers and citizens that a common soldier could have a much coveted "Good Death." To be buried in such a beautiful service like this was a complete change of pace. Not only was it amazing for a soldier to be buried in his own single service it was stunning that this service was given to him on enemy lands. Latane was the sole Confederate causality during J.E.B Stuart’s ride around McClellan’s army, and when he was found “slaves built his coffin and dug his grave, and a white Virginia matron read the burial service over his remains.” This type of burial was the way any soldier could even hope to leave this earth, and it gave a great amount of hope in a dark and painful time.
All this being said I feel that this burial shouldn’t have the type of importance that it obtained. The fact is that he was no different than any other soldier fighting in that war. He held no more relevance than anyone else and frankly, there were better men to fit this role. This was merely a group of citizens giving a burial to a man that every human being deserves. Had this been a high ranking official this event's historical significance would be far greater. While it did show that the common citizens of that horrific time still cared about those devoting their lives to their country I still just think this was a kind act for an unknown man. Not the type of peace making attention grabbing event we see it as today.
While I do agree with you about the importance of citizens seeing death first hand in that time, I have to disagree with your saying this was the "first time that citizens could see how devastating the war was." Honestly you couldn’t be more incorrect; the citizens saw the massacre of this war from day one. In fact citizens would often describe how awful the stench of the rotting bodies and the carnage of battle was after each large battle. Seeing a single dead body is completely different than seeing thousands of men lying in a field dead, with missing limbs, and even living young men screaming out in pain by cause of hot iron being driven into his body. There is no compare between this event and the carnage that those people had to see. One man’s death means nothing when you have seen the death of thousands.
William Latane's burial was much different than most every soldiers during the civil war. He was given a beautiful burial service, behind enemy lines. This had never been known to happen before. It gave all the people involved in the war hope that the good death could be obtained by all soldiers.
Certain circumstances (including but not limited to families not being able to find the body of their loved ones or not being able to afford a burial service) prohibited each soldier from having their own burial service. This is why it is so special that William Latane got a beautiful burial service because it was by people who weren’t even in his family and were, in fact, the enemy. It showed that people, regardless of their side in the war, were people nonetheless. They had feelings and a conscience. They respected human life and I think that this showed the confederates that they should respect their enemy more.
In response to Jenni Robinson I disagree with her opinion on the burial. I too believe that every soldier deserved to have a burial service. But, I also realize that this was not possible for them. Many families had financial troubles during this war, so they couldn't afford an extravegent burial. Also, many couldn't even find their loved ones bodies to be able to do this.
William Latane's burial became well known by different people living throught this nation for several reasons. First of all, he was buried behind enemy lines which impacted many soldiers and their relatives with hope and faith that if anything went wrong they, too, could receive a ceremony such as this. One other factor that made this entombment stand out from the others was that this service was carried on by the "enemy" and included both white women and African American slaves. It was this and the optimism that it provided differnig persons across America who now believed that their fallen comrades or relatives could, in fact, be honored with the interment that they had earned with their courage and willingness to die for their respective cause.
I do believe that Latane's burial should have had the importance that it did because it was not only a correct funeral being offered for a man who undoubtadely deserved it, but it was a symbol of buoyancy to many who served or were related to soldiers in the Civil War. It was something good and puresurrounded by sorrow and grief among other bad things provoked by this fighting.
I agree with you because this burial did go on to show that people are always capable of showing compassion in even the worst case scenarios and, in this case, when the person in need belongs to the enemy side. You are right about saying that the civilians in charge of the service were able to put aside all of their differences and unite to help this man out. These brave men did surely deserve good burials like this one.
In response to Jared Jeselnick I disagree with your comment that said "It was irrelevant compared to the thousand of other soldiers that died in the Civil War. He got special treatment and a proper burial while many other fallen soldiers got no recognition and only had a blanket for a coffin." It's true that many other soldiers received only a blanket for a coffin, however I don't think his burial was irrelevant. It was a sign of hope for soldiers and families everywhere.
William Latane’s burial was significant during and after the Civil War because his burial was so extravagant. Latane was “killed during J.E.B. Stuart’s legendary ride around McClellan’s army,” and he was the “only Confederate casualty of the expedition,” (83). His burial is described as a proper burial should be, and people of social importance attended the service. His burial represented a long lost sense of normality of how a burial and death should be. I do not believe that this one man’s death should have been as important as it was made out to be. There were thousands of other men who had died and, if they were lucky, were covered with a thin blanket before being thrown into a makeshift trench with their other fallen comrades. It does not seem ethical to make just one soldier’s burial so elaborate while his comrade’s deaths were quickly forgotten.
In response to jenni robinson: You prove an exceptional point when you say "It showed that the enemy had compassion by giving him a proper burial." Yes, the enemy did show compassion, but where had their compassion been hiding? Before this burial, as other soldiers were thrown into trenches without a stitch of clothing on them, no one seemed to show anything but indifference to the idea of a proper burial. Sure, they all wanted their friends to be be buried properly, but there was not an effort made to make this a reality. It seems odd to me that this one man's death meant so much to so many people while the other deaths were ignorable.
William Latane's burial was so significant during and after the war because it showed compassion. Latane was a confederate soldier who died behind enemy lines. He was, "the only Confederate casualty of the expedition..." This one man was taken in by his enemy and given a very nice burial.
However nice this burial was, it shouldn't have been as important at it was. Hundreds of thousands of good men died in the Civil War and a majority of them simply got thrown in a hole with an old blanket over them. To be honest, I fail to see what makes this lieutenant so special. On the other hand his burial deserves some importance because of how well the North treated this enemy's death.
William Latane's burial was very significant during and after the war. He was the only Confederate to die during the expedition. The North gave him a proper burial. This show that even though both sides are trying to win the war, they respect each other.
But that was only one man's death. It should not have been as important. Thousands and thousands had died during the Civil war.
I agree with Sevan Strait. The burial was nice but it should not of had the significance that it did. Sevan states,"Hundreds of thousands of good men died in the Civil War and a majority of them simply got thrown in a hole with an old blanket over them." I can explain how much I agree with this statement. If so many died why did one man get so much publicity.
William Latane's burial was so significant during the Civil War because it showed that in a way, the war brought everyone to the same level, and death also brought everyone closer. Every soldier was needed and no one was more important.
Although i understand the importance of his burial, i don't think that it should have been as significant as it was. Many men died in the Civil War and with the idea of equality, Latane's death was no more significant than another. Most other soldiers died terrible deaths and simply got buried in a hole or not buried at all.
I completely agree with you on your ideas that his burial shouldn't have gotten as much publicity as it did. Although it proved that even the enemies cared for the soldiers, a large majority of the soldiers who died in the Civil War got thrown in a hole with a blanket, and Latane got an entire funeral service. He was a soldier who fought for his country, just as all of the other soldiers did.
I completely agree with your post, you made many excellent points such as how “Latané’s death was not only an exemplary tribute to the Southern departed but, as the Confederate acknowledged in 1929, it also portrayed ‘the spirit of the women of the South.’” Also, how it’s “touching to witness a group of women could acknowledge the fact that ‘combat respected no boundaries’”. Latané’s death was- as you said, a symbolization “of the limitless amounts of young southern dying alone on unknown soil”. His death showed the nation that the war may not have been as honorable as it was made to be. It demonstrated how a brave, young soldier could die behind enemy lines, and be stranded unattended and helpless, until a few women united themselves to help him be remembered for the hero that he- and every soldier was.
I believe Latane's burial was important, but not so much to the North as it was to the South. Latane's burial was a preservation of the culture of the confederate south. The painting mixed the South with Christianity as well as the relationship between blacks and whites, and the overall community that the above created.
Chandler, I agree with you that the significance should not have been as high as it was, due to the fact that so many others had died during the war, but the whole point of the picture was not really to serve as a memorial, but to show death and the culture of that time.
William Latane's burial was so significant during the Civil War because it showed how even though both the North and South are fighting eachother the North respects them enough to give Latane a nice burial.
I don't feel that the burial should have been held at such high importance. Many soldiers died and were not given the same respect as Latane.
I agree with your statement about how the war brought everyone closer. I also agree with what you said about how many other soldiers died but were not equal to Latane.
William Latane’s burial was so significant during and after the Civil War because "Slaves built his coffin and dug his grave"(pg.83). Being a confederate soldier that died behind enemy lines, the irony was very obvious. The story of the burial was well known and even caused paintings to be done depicting the scene. I think the burial was so significant because it showed how far the story of one death in the war can effect people.
The burial of William Latenewas extremely significant during the Civil War, "It was our habit to have one burial service for several soldiers that were uncovered"(82). It was very common for there to be a service for several soldiers but William Latene'swas significant because it was a beautiful burial for a single enemy soldier. The burial had its own poem and historical painting that gave hope to civilians and soldiers.
I believe this burial should not have been as significant as it was. He was a lietenant of the South. If he had been a lietenant or general for the North, his burial would have been more reasonable to how significant it was.
I disagree with your statement that William Latane's burial was so significant. I believe it was unfair that he got his own special burial while thousands of men laid on the battlefield unburied. In my opinion he should have been treated like all the other soldiers.
In Response to Nick Burns- I agree with you that William Latane's death shoud not of held such significance as it did. Many other soldiers died for the same cause so, as you said, honoring one death like that seams "meaningless". Likewise, the funeral was great because it boosted both sides moral and helped provide comfort for the families of fallen soldiers at the time.
The burial of William Latane was so significant do to how it was handled and how he was treated. He was a southern soldier, left behind enemy lines after his death, among civilians surrounded by Union forces. This left him to be buried by strangers. His coffin was built and his grave dug by slaves and a white Virginia matron read the burial service over his remains. Many socially prominent women were in attendance. This story became well known in Richmond. William D. Washington even made a painting showcasing Latane’s burial. After the war had ended, engravings of the painting were widely distributed and became a standard decorative item in late-nineteenth-century white southern homes.
I believe that it was an important event, but not as important as it was made out to be. This was only the story of one soldier’s “happy ending.” I feel it overshadowed the burials, or lack thereof, of thousands of other soldiers.
Kurtis- I understand where you are coming from when you say. "He was a lietenant of the South. If he had been a lietenant or general for the North, his burial would have been more reasonable to how significant it was." You make aa good point, but the only reason it was so significant was because the North held such an elaborate funeral for an enemy Confederate.
William Latane's burial was so significant both during and after the Civil War, for it brought the reality of death caused by the war into the homes of many Americans, and it gave them a chance to have a proper burial for a person during a time when it was nearly impossible to bury other soldiers properly who had lost their lives in the fields of battle.
I can definitely understand why the burial was so important to the people. It gave them a chance to properly bury one man while they could not bury many others. I'm sure this must have brought a lot of sorrow to the people to have to bury a man, but also some amount of comfort in knowing that they were at least able to give one man a proper goodbye. I, however, do not think that the burial of William Latane should have been as elaborate as it was. There were very many other soldiers who also lost their lives at battle who were not given the same chance for a decent burial, or a burial at all. So I think that it is not really fair to honour one man so significantly when so many are forgotten.
I fully agree with the statements you made in your post. I liked the way you put the fact that " It does not seem ethical to make just one soldier’s burial so elaborate while his comrade’s deaths were quickly forgotten" for that is the exact way that I feel about this topic.
William Latane's burial was of great significance because, firstly, it was an uncommonly "good" funeral for the norm during the Civil War. It was made even more outstanding by Virginian William D. Washington, who painted the scene and eventually spread it to the general public using engravings and prints. In my opinion, this unusual funeral was made just as important as it should have been. In a time of this much turmoil, doing just as much as you possibly can is enough. I notice from other blogger's posts that many people seemed to have thought it was too extravagant a funeral, that it was almost 'unfair' to the rest of the soldiers that this one random man be given such an honor. I do somewhat agree with this, but considering he was the only man to have perished in this particular battle, I think it was completely justified. I also liked that it started a chain of events to inspire other civilians to partake in the burial tasks. "Other civilians volunteered, (...) determined that their loved ones not suffer and die among strangers." (Excerpt from page eighty-five.)
Brent, I liked how you said "I think the burial was so significant because it showed how far the story of one death in the war can effect people." In times of such desperate hope, such a simple act of kindness can indeed "effect people".
In response to Sarah Welton I do agree that Latane was undeserving, well not necessarily undeserving, but it was unfair that he got a funeral like his when most soldiers hardly got a good burial. But I do think that it was a very significant and momentous part of the Civil War.
William Latane's burial was of great significance because it potrayed the war's death's. The death's were not receieving the appropriate burail they deserved. His burail showed to the women and soliders how important it was to "locate and care for loved ones." The black men who dug his grave and the women who buried him had all finally take their helplessness and grief and give the men a proper burial.
I do believe that his burial, in particular, was important. He was the only man whom had the unfateful fate to die in the battle. This can justify the importance. As many others have had said it is somewhat unfair that it was a nice funeral and most soliders havde not been buried but on the contrary, again he was the only man who lost his life.
I do agree with Ana because he was the only man to loose his life so in my point of veiw it does equal out. Even though many other honorable men have died and not been buried as so, this funeral only sets the standards for more to come. It wakes up the men and women to see that the least the can do for their soliders is to give them a funeral that is filled with love.
Latene’s burial was so significant because it demonstrated the idea that every man can get a proper burial even behind enemy lines. Also that if citizens can give an unknown man a proper burial then any man has a chance of getting a proper burial. With this new thought among every man hope was born in all the men, which was a well needed boost to morale.
Dillion I agree with you when you said that Latane’s death showed a “good death” and that is why it is so significant because a “good death” was so rare at that time. Also that the burial gave hope not only to soldiers but also to civilians. In a way, his death did protect him from the terror of war. Any man that gets a proper burial is protected by the elements of war. With a proper burial he was completely protected from harm too.
The burial of William Latane was so significant during, as well as after the Civil War, because it defied the norms that the war had imposed upon death. The idea of a fallen soldier receiving such a beautiful funeral service, behind enemy lines no less, “became quite literally iconic.” Such a thing had remained unheard of up until Latane was “killed during J.E.B Stuart’s legendary ride around McClellan’s army during the Peninsula Campaign of 1862.” Latane’s burial suggested that despite the circumstances, a “Good Death” was still attainable for Civil War soldiers. This idea is extremely significant because it provided soldiers something that they were frequently deprived of; hope.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I do not believe that William Latane’s burial should have been as important as it was. Considering the sheer amount of deaths that took place during the Civil War, the fact that one soldier received such a picturesque burial is close to meaningless. I appreciate that Latane’s funeral was most likely responsible for an increase of both sides moral. An event that displayed such caring was bound to have an effect during a time when cold, hard death had become so commonplace.
William Latane’s death was so significant during and after the Civil War, because it let people have an “understanding of war’s carnage.” (82). Latane’s death served as a prime example of how the war affected everyone. His burial gained publicity after “Artist Washington decided in 1864 to portray the incident in paint” (83). Civilians saw how death was so common in the war that it became almost ignored. William Latane was left helpless and alone, rotting “amid civilians surrounded by Union forces” (83), until a few citizens decided to give him the proper burial that every soldier deserved. I believe that his death should have been as important as it was, because it was the first time that citizens could see how devastating the war was. People had heard the stories of men dying and how awful the war was, but few citizens had seen death up close and this gave them a chance to do so.
ReplyDeleteWilliam Latane's death held such significance because it signified how a good death could be obtained in the army despite the ongoing carnage surrounding. Left behind union lines after J.E.B. Stuart's ride around McClellan's army during the Peninsula Campaign of 1862, Latane received burial from civilians who had their slaves construct him a coffin and dig his grave, "and a white Virginia matron read the burial service over his remains." Intrigued by Latane's demise, "artist Washington decided to portray the incident in paint...." This portrait was hung in his Richmond studios, "where it attracted "throngs of visitors" eager to see this depiction of Christian and Confederate sacrifice." "The painting undertook important cultural work, linking southern war death to Christian tradition..." Basically, this painting helped to soften peoples fears and give them hope as they feared for their loved ones fighting in the war.
ReplyDeleteDespite the hope Latane's death gave to the people, i do not believe his death should of held such importance. Thousands of men died in every battle held throughout the civil war. Making the death of a lieutenant more important than that of the other soldiers does injustice to all the other soldiers. Every Fallen mans death should hold great importance as it is a loss of life and a life given for a united cause. I believe Nick to be correct on how "an event that displayed such caring was bound to have an effect during a time when cold, hard death had become so commonplace." Of course people would be impressed that one could receive such a "good death" when all around them lay rotting corpses and misery.
William Lantane's burial was so significant during and after the Civil War bacause. William was the only Confederate death behind enemy lines and was buried by civilians from the North. Slaves had even built his coffin. William Latane's burial shouldn't have been as important as it was because all of the other soliders who were from the South that died in combat didn't get that kind of treatment. The most the others had gotten was a blanket and dirt thrown upon them, so his burial shoundn't had been as important it was.
ReplyDeleteWilliam Lantane's burial was a significant part of the civil war because it became "quite literally iconic". Lantane died during the famous ride of J. E. B. Stuart around McClellan's army. He was the only casualty of the ride and he died behind enemy lines. His burial consisted of a coffin built by slaves,burial services read by a Virginian Matron, and a number of socially prominent women who attended the funeral. A painting was made to represent this 'beautiful' death ceremony. Visitors came to see the "depiction of Christian and Confederate sacrifices".
ReplyDeleteEven though Lantane was lucky enough to receive a burial, I do not believe that he should have received it. 600,000+ died, and within that number very few received good burials. Many important men were merely thrown into ditches or shallow graves. So many volunteered to bury the dead. But even hen the best they could hope for was a blanket. Every one of the men deserved the burial that Lantane had, but few got them. So even though it impressed the people, it was not so impressive to those who lay rotting in the field.
Evan H.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you when you said that very few, from the North or South, received that type of special treatment. He was protected from most of nature's elements. Others, when buried, were uncovered by erosion and wind.Storms destroyed the trenches of dead bodies, sending them floating down the road. Some of these men were even more important then lieutenants. I agree that he shouldn't have received these treatments.
I believe Williams death was so significant because it showed a "good death". Which was unexpected when in the army at the time. The burial protected him from the elements,the war, and any other thing that could harm his body. I think it deserved the impotance that it got. because of the hope it gave civilians and soldiers a like. It showed civilians that a good death and burial was possible even in time of war and despair. Even though it was just one soldier who had this beautiful burial it raised moral for civilians and soliders alike.
ReplyDeleteWilliam Latane's burial was very significant during the Civil War. It was very common to have just one burial service for many soldiers at once. "It was our habit to have one service for several bodies that were uncovered."(82) They would even do that for their own soldiers. So, to have a beautiful burial for a single, enemy soldier was very significant. The burial recieved its own poem and historic painting. The poem and painting gave hope to civilians and soldiers. A hope that their loved ones, or themselves, could die a "good death," with a proper burial.
ReplyDeleteWilliam Latane's burial should not have been as important as it was, though. He was a lieutenant for the opposing south. If a significant burial is to take place, the more ideal person would be a northern general, or great hero. Sure it was a great thing to do, to experience how death isn't always so bad, but for a basically random soldier, it should not have been so great for him.
C.J.
ReplyDeleteI do not agree with you when you said that his death should have been as important as it was. He was a not too high ranking single southern soldier. Sure it is good to have citizens see death up close, and how it can be good, but it was a random act of kindness. The north should have chosen a more worthy person that represented their side better to give a wonderful burial for.
Like everyone else explained, William Latane’s death was so significant because amidst all of the carnage, mass graves, and death that the Civil War had caused, people were able to give one man a decent and elaborate burial. Latane was the sole Confederate causality during J.E.B Stuart’s ride around McClellan’s army. “Slaves built his coffin and dug his grave, and a white Virginia matron read the burial service over his remains.” This funeral was a reminder that a Good Death and proper burial was still possible in the middle of the war. This funeral was even captured on canvas by artist Washington that was “…hung in his small Richmond studio, where it attracted ‘throngs of visitors’...” It was also written about in poems and numerous newspaper articles. It was so significant after because everyone wanted to see the “depiction of Christian and Confederate sacrifice.” It even became a “standard decorative item” in southern homes.
ReplyDeleteAs others said, I don’t believe that this burial should have been so important. Soldiers that died in the Civil War rarely got any form of a decent burial, if they were lucky enough to even get a burial. Many got sheets thrown over them or piled into graves. “‘They dig holes,” he wrote “and pile them in like dead cattle and have teams to draw them together like picking pumpkins.’” There were so many that died that the living sometimes didn’t even have time to move their bodies from the battlefield. Burial was important to the fallen because it was their “‘…surviving identity…”’. Thousands were unable to have a burial of any kind, so I don’t think that Latane’s burial should have been so important.
Jordan,
ReplyDeleteI agree with your statement “Every Fallen mans death should hold great importance as it is a loss of life and a life given for a united cause.” I agree that every life lost was important and that every man, even though at the time inconceivable, should have been remembered for their sacrifice for their country and given somewhat of a proper burial. Many men were stripped of a proper burial, and some lost their identity because of the systems like mass graves.
William Latane's burial was so significant because it provided hope for people, showed a "good death" was not inexistent, and because it was very different then many of the deaths of the Civil War. This burial provided hope for people, especially soldiers, because his burial proved that a "Good Death" was still existent. It also proved to be so much different than all of the other deaths of the Civil War. In the Civil War, systems such as mass graves and trenches were prominent especially in these times. His proper burial was something unheard of and very honorable.
ReplyDeleteLatane’s burial was important and honorable, as it provided hope for many people in hard times. However I do not believe it should have been as important as it was. Although one death is tragic and affects many people, many, many soldiers died during the Civil War. In a way this beautiful burial is disrespectful to the thousands of other soldiers who died and did not receive any burial whatsoever.
Jordan
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your statement “Every Fallen man’s death should hold great importance as it is a loss of life and a life given for a united cause." That is why I believe that his burial was somewhat disrespectful to the thousands of soldiers whose deaths were not even acknowledged.
The burial of William Latane was an event that "became quite literally iconic" (83) during the time of the Civil War. He was killed during the Peninsula Campaign of 1862. Being the only casualty and left "behind enemy lines, amid civilians surrounded by Union forces" (83), he was properly interred and given a "decent burial" complete with a funeral and prayers. This scene was painted by William D. Washington in 1864. It was regarded as a way of "connecting it [Latane's death] to a community that extended well beyond the white men who had fought alongside him" (85). People considered his death an act of patriotism and had a renewed sense of strength to fight. They felt they needed to honor those who died for their Southern cause by not letting them pass in vain. After the war, it became "maintenance of Confederate memory" (83). It showed the civilians' connection to the battlefield and their support of the soldiers fighting for them.
ReplyDeleteI agree that this was a very significant event. People were forced to realize the price of war: death. They were forced to accept the true horrors on the battlefront. I think the war was treated a lot more seriously after this event because people realized that the loss of a single human life was very sad, and with the increasing death tolls, the thousands of human lives lost was a tragedy. Civilians did not take the war lightly anymore and exhibited the importance of support and commitment to their soldiers.
Baker-
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you said. In the rough times of war where a decent burial was becoming scarce, it gave hope by showing there was still some good in the midst of evil. I agree with your statement that even though he was just one soldier, such an act "raised moral for civilians and soldiers alike." This event showed soldiers that the people back home did support their cause and wanted to honor their bravery. Well said.
Erin-
ReplyDeleteYou made a very good point. Many soldiers did die in the Civil War and did not receive proper burials. With the popularity of mass graves and trenches, the dead were not treated with the care they should have had to follow "decent burial" principles. You are correct- this elaborate burial could be seen as disrespectful to the many other soldiers that died and did not receive a burial. The fact that one soldier was singled out and buried well does not make up for the thousands who recieved no such thing. Nice job.
CJ I do not agree with what you had said for William Latane's death and its importance. Even though his death represented what he was fighting for, he shouldn't have been honored like he was. His death was simply an act of kindness from the north. He was just another soldier that died for what he believed in.
ReplyDeleteWilliam Latane's burial was so significant during and after the Civil War because it was a “Good Death”. It was because even a fallen soldier on enemy lines can have a proper burial. The burial of a fallen soldier on the other army had not happened up till this point. It just happened that he was “killed during J.E.B. Stuart’s legendary ride around McClellan’s army.” He was given a “Good Death” thanks to enemies.
ReplyDeleteI believe that William Latane’s burial was not as important as it was. There were a lot of deaths throughout the duration of the Civil War, so this wasn’t that important. Each death is important, so this one should not be such a big deal. This one death didn’t change how people were buried when they fell on the battlefield. It was not that important.
Tanner,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you when you say that the burial was important because they were used to have one burial service for many soldiers. I like how you said that it got a painting and a poem. I also agree that this burial was not that important. I like how you said "If a significant burial is to take place, the more ideal person would be a northern general, or great hero." Good job.
"Slaves dug his grave" that in my opinion is the only important part of the burial. The fact that the same people who can see the pain of war, and ignore the pain of slaves, shows how far the south had to go. As for the battle, the confederates were lucky and McClellan was as was his general state a fool the burial was half sadness and half celebration it is a grim reality that there is no glory for the dead. W.T Sherman said “There is many a boy here today who looks on war as all glory, but boys, it is all hell.” the burial was nice but the hell would continue it always does in war. The change in death or the honor is still death.
ReplyDelete-Patrick Tidwell
William Latane's death was so significant simply because the attention and care that was givin to william was very uncommon. There were so many deaths in this war that hardly even the highest of officers were givin this treatment. Especially behind enemy lines, this wonderful funeral service was one in a million, literally.
ReplyDeleteI can not really explain my full opinion of why or why not this should of been such a big deal. The fact that were so many deaths and not one them got this treatment, execept maybe Albert Frost, the whole idea was totally overdone. But in another aspect to it, as the slaves bury Latane, it shows that they can see within their very eyes the pain that this war is causing. And still in the midst of this, the main cause for the war(slavery)is participating in the involvement of the after math to the war.
hank hammond
ReplyDeleteIn response to Tanner
I sort of agree with you that William Latane's death was not important. After all, it was just one death in the midst of over 600,000 more. Yet I also believe in the significance that there was a slave burying the man. This says that even as this whole tragic war was caused by slavery, the confederates still could not give up their usage for the blacks.
William Latane's death was so significant becuase it showed that in the midst of war there can still be the "good death". It showed that even on enemy lines a soldier can still be buried properly. This burial gave the soldiers hope that once death was apon them they still had a chance at a good death no matter where they were to fall.
ReplyDeleteI don't in fact believe that it should have been as important as it was portrayed. It was a burial for a man who was not high in rank he just died at the right place and the right time in order to have a proper burial. So many people died and one burial should not have made such an impact. I do believe that it in fact helped raise the spirits and moral of many soldiers.
I agree with HankOffspring3097 when he said,"And still in the midst of this, the main cause for the war(slavery)is participating in the involvement of the after math to the war." This is what in fact made this burial so important because in the midst of fighting for their freedom they were still in slaved and it is wrong that the slaves had to bury one of the many people they were fighting against.
ReplyDeleteWilliam Latane's death and burrial was such a significant event because he was the onley soldier to die in J.E.B Stuarts ride around McClellan's army. He waskilled behind enamy lines and just left there.But what made it so important is that civillians gave this soldier a propper burrial despite the fact that he was a soldier from the army fighting against theiwr country. I dont think it should be as a big deal as it was but it was defiately was important and the people needed tohear obout it. It showed that there is still love in people for others and shows that their belief in a good death and its importants was so strong that they believed that everybody deserves it, even their enamies.
ReplyDeleteWilliam Latane died in the hands of he enemy and yet he was given a proper burial. That has a lot to say about the North, they are willing to show their respect for a man that is fighting against them. Thus, giving many soldiers during the war a chance to experience respect across enemy lines. Many of the posts above mine justify that Latane's burial was so important because it gave civilians hope. That when the war ended the North and South would maybe re-unite after such a huge disagreement.
ReplyDeleteI believe that William Latane's burial was a great way for the Union to prove they were the better people. By giving an enemy soldier such a significant burial, this showed that there was truly a value for a "Good Death." The burial was so important an artist painted this famous painting that many civilians hung in their houses because "The painting seeks to define and celebrate Confederate nationalism, identifying the soldier's corpse as at once the source of and the meaning for the body politic." (85). To me, the burial should have been that essential because without realizing, the burial had a way of bonding the North and South, and that in itself is very important during a war.
William Latane's burial was important because Latane was killed and "left behind enemy lines," However, slaves built him a coffin and dug his grave. Then civilians and Union troops paid their respects and gave him a proper burial. It showed the soldiers and civilians that even in such brutal circumstances as war, enemies could be shown respect.
ReplyDeleteIn some ways, his death should not have been important. For example, most fallen soldiers were buried in trenches filled with many other bodies. However, I believe the burial gave hope to both Union and Confederate soldiers. Hope that maybe they could receive a proper burial. It also gave hope to the civilians. It gave them hope that after the war, the North and South could be reunited.
William Latane’s burial was so significant during and after the civil war because even though he was left behind enemy lines, he was able to experience a proper burial. His coffin was built and his grave was dug by slaves. A white Virginia matron even read him a burial service. Most soldiers did not receive such treatment directly after death during the Civil War, let alone behind enemy lines. This event was so significant that artist William D. Washington painted the incident. People were “eager to see this depiction of Christian and Confederate sacrifice”. Latane received a burial that every soldier should have received.
ReplyDeleteI believe that this event should have been as important as it was. However, I also think that people should have followed this example of a good burial so that other soldiers could have the same experience. I understand that there was not always time for this in the Civil War, but I think they could have at least tried to make the burials a little bit more civilized. For example, they could have done a better job in giving everyone a separate grave or at least a small burial service.
C.J.,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about the significance of this burial. I never really thought about the idea that people didn’t fully understand the devastation of war until it was depicted like this. However, I do believe that if they did not understand the full devastation of death that they may have been misguided by this depiction. They might not know that not everyone was treated with such respect at the time of burial, but at least the event gave people a little reassurance.
William Latane’s burial was so significant in the Civil War because it distinguished the right to a proper burial after one’s passing. This death was no different than any other. This man died in battle; as had many others before him. If he got the special opportunity to have a proper burial service, shouldn’t every other soldier that died? Since so many soldiers were just put into holes with a blanket and no coffin, Latane should have had the same done to him. His death brought the perspective of the “Good Death” to the battlefield. Personally, I think his death was over-exaggerated and more important than it needed to be. He was just another man dying for what he believed in. Every soldier that fought should have gotten this special treatment because they all fought for what they believed in.
ReplyDeleteRe: pstidwell
ReplyDeleteI would have to agree with you when you state that the only important part of the burial was that “Slaves dug his grave.” It is kind of ironic how this Confederate soldier was treated. He was fighting for slavery but slaves made sure he had a “Good Death.” He was just an ordinary soldier who died in the war with many others. The quote you selected by W. T. Sherman summed up the reality of war. It was and still is hell on Earth.
William Latane’s burial was significant because it was very unusual for just one soldier to get that kind of attention when he died. He was given a “Good Death” by the same people he had tried to kill. It showed that even in harsh circumstances of war, not everything is bad. However, I do not think his burial should have gotten as much attention. It was irrelevant compared to the thousand of other soldiers that died in the Civil War. He got special treatment and a proper burial while many other fallen soldiers got no recognition and only had a blanket for a coffin.
ReplyDeleteWilliam Latane's death held such significance during and after the Civil War because it was so unusual during that time. It provided hope for the soldiers that there still might be a 'good death' for them, while also drawing the general public's attention to the sheer amount of men that were dying.
ReplyDeleteAlthough it was very important for both of the previous to come about, I do not think that his death should have been so publicized. Many soldiers died during that war, and for one man to get as much attention as he did is absurd. He was literally 1 in 600,000. Therefore, even though his death brought a few good things about, I do not think it should have had as much attention as it did.
Kendra LaFonte
ReplyDeleteI agree with you when you say that William Latane's death should have been an example that was followed. However, because it was not, and because most soldier's death's were ignored, I disagree with you on the fact that you say his death should have been important as it was.
William Latane's burial was so significant during and after the Civil War because it reminded many people of all those who were killed, either a nice funeral or just put layed to rest in a hole. It reminded soldiers of the "Good Death" and that they could still achieve this at the end of their lives'.
ReplyDeleteI didn't believe that this one death should've been this important in the first place. Almost 500,000 soldiers lost their lives and William's was significant out of all of them i just don't think thats right. But one thing that this man's death did help was reminding everyone of the "Good Death" and that it could still be rewarded.
In response to Nick
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your opinion. It doesn't make sense, that this one man's death is so important as it should have been. There was proabably many funerals/burials just like William's but the news of them didn't spread very far like his. But it did help raise moral on both sides during the war.
William Latane's burial was different than any other burials before his. He seemed to get the luxury care, compared to other fellow soldiers. His burial was so significant during and after the Civil War because he was the only Confederate casualty during J.E.B. Stuarts ride around McClellan's army. He was left behind enemy lines, slaves built his coffin, dug his grave, and a white Virginia matron read the burial service. The service showed soldiers that there can be a good burial and to not lose hope of a "good death." Unlike many others, I do believe Latane's burial should have been as important as it was. I say this because it was so unique for something like this to happen. It showed that the North cared about the people they were fighting against. The burial gave hope to other soldiers. I do believe William Latane's burial should have been so significant and get attention, it gave hope and showed what kind of people the North are.
ReplyDeleteKendra LaFonte,
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you on how "people should have followed this example of a good burial." It is probably true that there was not always time, but "they could have at least tried to make the burials a little bit more civilized," as you said. The soldiers seemed to not care and just put the bodies in trenches and walk away, not trying.
Kristine Ayre,
ReplyDeleteI agree with your statment that it was unique to have a Confederate die on enemy lines. Also, when you said it gave people hope, I believe that is very true. Since, a man had to die on enemy lines, it was very unique to have the Union show such a great amount of respect for the fallen soldier.
Emily P,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you when you said that William Latane's death should not have been so publicized because he was literally 1 in 600,000. Although his burial was very nice and it brought a few good things about, I don't think one man's death should have been so important.
The burial of William Latane was so significant during, and after the Civil War because it was very unusual for one man to receive such a "good death". It showed that the enemy had compassion by giving him a proper burial. The painting of his burial linked "southern war death to Christian tradition" and connected it to "a community that exteneded well beyond the white men who had fought alongside him." (pages 84-85). IT showed how everyone, black or white, Confederate or not, helped out to give this man the burial he deserved. However, I do not think it should have received as much attention as it did. A few good things came from it, but he was only one man. Every soldier who fought in the war deserved a good burial, and to focus in on just one death does not seem fair to the other soldiers who fought just as hard for their country as he did.
ReplyDeleteWilliam Latané’s burial held extreme significance during and after the Civil War because it was a symbol of mourning for the “Lost Cause” of the Confederacy. Latané’s death was not only an exemplary tribute to the Southern departed but, as the Confederate Veteran acknowledged in 1929, it also portrayed “the spirit of the women of the South.” The burial symbolized the united hopes and fears of the entire Confederacy because of the limitless amounts of young Southern soldiers dying alone on unknown soil. The women who buried Latané grew to be every mother’s wish for her son, might he meet a similar end. John Thompson, owner of Confederate newspaper, the Southern Literary Messenger, described the death and burial of Captain Latané as not only an acclamation to “our early lost, lamented Latané,” but to the women of compassion who had laid him to rest. Historians Mark E. Neely, Jr., Harold Holzer, and Gabor S. Boritt proclaim that Latané’s death “transformed into one of the best-known and most deeply mourned [death] of all the lower-echelon casualties of the war.”
ReplyDeleteThe burial of William Latané deserves every part of its publicity. It is a wonderful example of a nation pulling together. It’s touching to witness how a group of women could acknowledge the fact that “combat respected no boundaries” (80) and make an effort to alleviate some of the anguish of this ominous truth. The burial of Latané is an important thing to commemorate because it is a “depiction of Christian and Confederate sacrifice” (84). The Confederacy had thirteen million less citizens than the Union and they were often the bigger people. Latané is evidence for the overlooked compassion of the South. The burial of Latané was right to have been as notable as it was, and it deserves to be remembered as it will be.
RE: C.J.
ReplyDeleteI was struggling to find the ideal sentence to illustrate my point when I came across yours. “Latane’s death served as a prime example of how the war affected everyone.” This is exactly what I was trying to say in my response to the question. You also said that Latané was alone until “a few citizens decided to give him the proper burial that every soldier deserved.” I am very glad that you said this. It confirms what I said about how the women heroically buried a man they didn’t know because it was the humane thing to do. Not many people in the Civil War carried out their businesses humanly. This is one of the main reasons why William Latané’s burial is incredibly remarkable.
Hank
ReplyDeleteI have to disagree with your statement,” this whole tragic war was caused by slavery.” While I agree the abolishment of slavery became a focus of the North in the later stages of the war, I do not believe it was the spark the ignited the conflict. The Civil War was fought to prevent the Southern states secession from the Union.
William Latane's burial was so significant during and after the Civil War because it gave hope to soldiers and citizens that a common soldier could have a much coveted "Good Death." To be buried in such a beautiful service like this was a complete change of pace. Not only was it amazing for a soldier to be buried in his own single service it was stunning that this service was given to him on enemy lands. Latane was the sole Confederate causality during J.E.B Stuart’s ride around McClellan’s army, and when he was found “slaves built his coffin and dug his grave, and a white Virginia matron read the burial service over his remains.” This type of burial was the way any soldier could even hope to leave this earth, and it gave a great amount of hope in a dark and painful time.
ReplyDeleteAll this being said I feel that this burial shouldn’t have the type of importance that it obtained. The fact is that he was no different than any other soldier fighting in that war. He held no more relevance than anyone else and frankly, there were better men to fit this role. This was merely a group of citizens giving a burial to a man that every human being deserves. Had this been a high ranking official this event's historical significance would be far greater. While it did show that the common citizens of that horrific time still cared about those devoting their lives to their country I still just think this was a kind act for an unknown man. Not the type of peace making attention grabbing event we see it as today.
In Response to CJ
ReplyDeleteWhile I do agree with you about the importance of citizens seeing death first hand in that time, I have to disagree with your saying this was the "first time that citizens could see how devastating the war was." Honestly you couldn’t be more incorrect; the citizens saw the massacre of this war from day one. In fact citizens would often describe how awful the stench of the rotting bodies and the carnage of battle was after each large battle. Seeing a single dead body is completely different than seeing thousands of men lying in a field dead, with missing limbs, and even living young men screaming out in pain by cause of hot iron being driven into his body. There is no compare between this event and the carnage that those people had to see. One man’s death means nothing when you have seen the death of thousands.
William Latane's burial was much different than most every soldiers during the civil war. He was given a beautiful burial service, behind enemy lines. This had never been known to happen before. It gave all the people involved in the war hope that the good death could be obtained by all soldiers.
ReplyDeleteCertain circumstances (including but not limited to families not being able to find the body of their loved ones or not being able to afford a burial service) prohibited each soldier from having their own burial service. This is why it is so special that William Latane got a beautiful burial service because it was by people who weren’t even in his family and were, in fact, the enemy. It showed that people, regardless of their side in the war, were people nonetheless. They had feelings and a conscience. They respected human life and I think that this showed the confederates that they should respect their enemy more.
In response to Jenni Robinson
ReplyDeleteI disagree with her opinion on the burial. I too believe that every soldier deserved to have a burial service. But, I also realize that this was not possible for them. Many families had financial troubles during this war, so they couldn't afford an extravegent burial. Also, many couldn't even find their loved ones bodies to be able to do this.
William Latane's burial became well known by different people living throught this nation for several reasons. First of all, he was buried behind enemy lines which impacted many soldiers and their relatives with hope and faith that if anything went wrong they, too, could receive a ceremony such as this. One other factor that made this entombment stand out from the others was that this service was carried on by the "enemy" and included both white women and African American slaves. It was this and the optimism that it provided differnig persons across America who now believed that their fallen comrades or relatives could, in fact, be honored with the interment that they had earned with their courage and willingness to die for their respective cause.
ReplyDeleteI do believe that Latane's burial should have had the importance that it did because it was not only a correct funeral being offered for a man who undoubtadely deserved it, but it was a symbol of buoyancy to many who served or were related to soldiers in the Civil War. It was something good and puresurrounded by sorrow and grief among other bad things provoked by this fighting.
Jenni,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you because this burial did go on to show that people are always capable of showing compassion in even the worst case scenarios and, in this case, when the person in need belongs to the enemy side. You are right about saying that the civilians in charge of the service were able to put aside all of their differences and unite to help this man out. These brave men did surely deserve good burials like this one.
In response to Jared Jeselnick
ReplyDeleteI disagree with your comment that said "It was irrelevant compared to the thousand of other soldiers that died in the Civil War. He got special treatment and a proper burial while many other fallen soldiers got no recognition and only had a blanket for a coffin." It's true that many other soldiers received only a blanket for a coffin, however I don't think his burial was irrelevant. It was a sign of hope for soldiers and families everywhere.
William Latane’s burial was significant during and after the Civil War because his burial was so extravagant. Latane was “killed during J.E.B. Stuart’s legendary ride around McClellan’s army,” and he was the “only Confederate casualty of the expedition,” (83). His burial is described as a proper burial should be, and people of social importance attended the service. His burial represented a long lost sense of normality of how a burial and death should be.
ReplyDeleteI do not believe that this one man’s death should have been as important as it was made out to be. There were thousands of other men who had died and, if they were lucky, were covered with a thin blanket before being thrown into a makeshift trench with their other fallen comrades. It does not seem ethical to make just one soldier’s burial so elaborate while his comrade’s deaths were quickly forgotten.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIn response to jenni robinson:
ReplyDeleteYou prove an exceptional point when you say "It showed that the enemy had compassion by giving him a proper burial." Yes, the enemy did show compassion, but where had their compassion been hiding? Before this burial, as other soldiers were thrown into trenches without a stitch of clothing on them, no one seemed to show anything but indifference to the idea of a proper burial. Sure, they all wanted their friends to be be buried properly, but there was not an effort made to make this a reality. It seems odd to me that this one man's death meant so much to so many people while the other deaths were ignorable.
William Latane's burial was so significant during and after the war because it showed compassion. Latane was a confederate soldier who died behind enemy lines. He was, "the only Confederate casualty of the expedition..." This one man was taken in by his enemy and given a very nice burial.
ReplyDeleteHowever nice this burial was, it shouldn't have been as important at it was. Hundreds of thousands of good men died in the Civil War and a majority of them simply got thrown in a hole with an old blanket over them. To be honest, I fail to see what makes this lieutenant so special. On the other hand his burial deserves some importance because of how well the North treated this enemy's death.
William Latane's burial was very significant during and after the war. He was the only Confederate to die during the expedition. The North gave him a proper burial. This show that even though both sides are trying to win the war, they respect each other.
ReplyDeleteBut that was only one man's death. It should not have been as important. Thousands and thousands had died during the Civil war.
I agree with Sevan Strait. The burial was nice but it should not of had the significance that it did. Sevan states,"Hundreds of thousands of good men died in the Civil War and a majority of them simply got thrown in a hole with an old blanket over them." I can explain how much I agree with this statement. If so many died why did one man get so much publicity.
ReplyDeleteWilliam Latane's burial was so significant during the Civil War because it showed that in a way, the war brought everyone to the same level, and death also brought everyone closer. Every soldier was needed and no one was more important.
ReplyDeleteAlthough i understand the importance of his burial, i don't think that it should have been as significant as it was. Many men died in the Civil War and with the idea of equality, Latane's death was no more significant than another. Most other soldiers died terrible deaths and simply got buried in a hole or not buried at all.
Chandler and Sevan-
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you on your ideas that his burial shouldn't have gotten as much publicity as it did. Although it proved that even the enemies cared for the soldiers, a large majority of the soldiers who died in the Civil War got thrown in a hole with a blanket, and Latane got an entire funeral service. He was a soldier who fought for his country, just as all of the other soldiers did.
In response to Lauren,
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your post, you made many excellent points such as how “Latané’s death was not only an exemplary tribute to the Southern departed but, as the Confederate acknowledged in 1929, it also portrayed ‘the spirit of the women of the South.’” Also, how it’s “touching to witness a group of women could acknowledge the fact that ‘combat respected no boundaries’”. Latané’s death was- as you said, a symbolization “of the limitless amounts of young southern dying alone on unknown soil”. His death showed the nation that the war may not have been as honorable as it was made to be. It demonstrated how a brave, young soldier could die behind enemy lines, and be stranded unattended and helpless, until a few women united themselves to help him be remembered for the hero that he- and every soldier was.
I believe Latane's burial was important, but not so much to the North as it was to the South. Latane's burial was a preservation of the culture of the confederate south. The painting mixed the South with Christianity as well as the relationship between blacks and whites, and the overall community that the above created.
ReplyDeleteChandler,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that the significance should not have been as high as it was, due to the fact that so many others had died during the war, but the whole point of the picture was not really to serve as a memorial, but to show death and the culture of that time.
William Latane's burial was so significant during the Civil War because it showed how even though both the North and South are fighting eachother the North respects them enough to give Latane a nice burial.
ReplyDeleteI don't feel that the burial should have been held at such high importance. Many soldiers died and were not given the same respect as Latane.
Katie Sorenson-
ReplyDeleteI agree with your statement about how the war brought everyone closer. I also agree with what you said about how many other soldiers died but were not equal to Latane.
William Latane’s burial was so significant during and after the Civil War because "Slaves built his coffin and dug his grave"(pg.83). Being a confederate soldier that died behind enemy lines, the irony was very obvious. The story of the burial was well known and even caused paintings to be done depicting the scene. I think the burial was so significant because it showed how far the story of one death in the war can effect people.
ReplyDeleteThe burial of William Latenewas extremely significant during the Civil War, "It was our habit to have one burial service for several soldiers that were uncovered"(82). It was very common for there to be a service for several soldiers but William Latene'swas significant because it was a beautiful burial for a single enemy soldier. The burial had its own poem and historical painting that gave hope to civilians and soldiers.
ReplyDeleteI believe this burial should not have been as significant as it was. He was a lietenant of the South. If he had been a lietenant or general for the North, his burial would have been more reasonable to how significant it was.
In response to Mary Harris
ReplyDeleteI disagree with your statement that William Latane's burial was so significant. I believe it was unfair that he got his own special burial while thousands of men laid on the battlefield unburied. In my opinion he should have been treated like all the other soldiers.
In Response to Nick Burns-
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that William Latane's death shoud not of held such significance as it did. Many other soldiers died for the same cause so, as you said, honoring one death like that seams "meaningless". Likewise, the funeral was great because it boosted both sides moral and helped provide comfort for the families of fallen soldiers at the time.
The burial of William Latane was so significant do to how it was handled and how he was treated. He was a southern soldier, left behind enemy lines after his death, among civilians surrounded by Union forces. This left him to be buried by strangers. His coffin was built and his grave dug by slaves and a white Virginia matron read the burial service over his remains. Many socially prominent women were in attendance. This story became well known in Richmond. William D. Washington even made a painting showcasing Latane’s burial. After the war had ended, engravings of the painting were widely distributed and became a standard decorative item in late-nineteenth-century white southern homes.
ReplyDeleteI believe that it was an important event, but not as important as it was made out to be. This was only the story of one soldier’s “happy ending.” I feel it overshadowed the burials, or lack thereof, of thousands of other soldiers.
Kurtis-
ReplyDeleteI understand where you are coming from when you say. "He was a lietenant of the South. If he had been a lietenant or general for the North, his burial would have been more reasonable to how significant it was." You make aa good point, but the only reason it was so significant was because the North held such an elaborate funeral for an enemy Confederate.
William Latane's burial was so significant both during and after the Civil War, for it brought the reality of death caused by the war into the homes of many Americans, and it gave them a chance to have a proper burial for a person during a time when it was nearly impossible to bury other soldiers properly who had lost their lives in the fields of battle.
ReplyDeleteI can definitely understand why the burial was so important to the people. It gave them a chance to properly bury one man while they could not bury many others. I'm sure this must have brought a lot of sorrow to the people to have to bury a man, but also some amount of comfort in knowing that they were at least able to give one man a proper goodbye. I, however, do not think that the burial of William Latane should have been as elaborate as it was. There were very many other soldiers who also lost their lives at battle who were not given the same chance for a decent burial, or a burial at all. So I think that it is not really fair to honour one man so significantly when so many are forgotten.
In response to Amy Bowman-
ReplyDeleteI fully agree with the statements you made in your post. I liked the way you put the fact that " It does not seem ethical to make just one soldier’s burial so elaborate while his comrade’s deaths were quickly forgotten" for that is the exact way that I feel about this topic.
William Latane's burial was of great significance because, firstly, it was an uncommonly "good" funeral for the norm during the Civil War. It was made even more outstanding by Virginian William D. Washington, who painted the scene and eventually spread it to the general public using engravings and prints. In my opinion, this unusual funeral was made just as important as it should have been. In a time of this much turmoil, doing just as much as you possibly can is enough. I notice from other blogger's posts that many people seemed to have thought it was too extravagant a funeral, that it was almost 'unfair' to the rest of the soldiers that this one random man be given such an honor. I do somewhat agree with this, but considering he was the only man to have perished in this particular battle, I think it was completely justified. I also liked that it started a chain of events to inspire other civilians to partake in the burial tasks. "Other civilians volunteered, (...) determined that their loved ones not suffer and die among strangers." (Excerpt from page eighty-five.)
ReplyDeleteResponse to Brent.
ReplyDeleteBrent, I liked how you said "I think the burial was so significant because it showed how far the story of one death in the war can effect people." In times of such desperate hope, such a simple act of kindness can indeed "effect people".
In response to Sarah Welton
ReplyDeleteI do agree that Latane was undeserving, well not necessarily undeserving, but it was unfair that he got a funeral like his when most soldiers hardly got a good burial. But I do think that it was a very significant and momentous part of the Civil War.
William Latane's burial was of great significance because it potrayed the war's death's. The death's were not receieving the appropriate burail they deserved. His burail showed to the women and soliders how important it was to "locate and care for loved ones." The black men who dug his grave and the women who buried him had all finally take their helplessness and grief and give the men a proper burial.
ReplyDeleteI do believe that his burial, in particular, was important. He was the only man whom had the unfateful fate to die in the battle. This can justify the importance. As many others have had said it is somewhat unfair that it was a nice funeral and most soliders havde not been buried but on the contrary, again he was the only man who lost his life.
I do agree with Ana because he was the only man to loose his life so in my point of veiw it does equal out. Even though many other honorable men have died and not been buried as so, this funeral only sets the standards for more to come. It wakes up the men and women to see that the least the can do for their soliders is to give them a funeral that is filled with love.
ReplyDeleteLatene’s burial was so significant because it demonstrated the idea that every man can get a proper burial even behind enemy lines. Also that if citizens can give an unknown man a proper burial then any man has a chance of getting a proper burial. With this new thought among every man hope was born in all the men, which was a well needed boost to morale.
ReplyDeleteDillion
ReplyDeleteI agree with you when you said that Latane’s death showed a “good death” and that is why it is so significant because a “good death” was so rare at that time. Also that the burial gave hope not only to soldiers but also to civilians. In a way, his death did protect him from the terror of war. Any man that gets a proper burial is protected by the elements of war. With a proper burial he was completely protected from harm too.