The Battle of Fort Fisher, N.C.

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Union Brigadier General Eugene B. Payne of Illinois

From the Donnelley and Lee Library Archives, Chicago, Illinois.

Eugene Beauharmais Payne (1835-1910) wrote 19 letters to his wife, Delia W. Payne from Arkansas, Iowa, and Missouri from February to May, 1862.  He described the Battle of Pea Ridge March 12, 1862.

In 1865, he became the first soldier from Lake County, Illinois, to attain the rank of brigadier general.

He was born in Seneca Falls, New York, April 15,1835.  In 1836, his family moved to Fremont Township in Lake County and from then on played a big role in the county's development.  Payne graduated from Washington High School and in 1860 graduated Northwestern University's Law School and was admitted to the bar the same year.

Payne organized the first company of troops and served in the 37th Illinois Infantry until September 1864, when he was discharged because of malaria after being wounded at Vicksburg.

Old Secesh

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