Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient. He was a resident of Mendota, Illinois when he was mustered in as a Corporal in Company E, 37th Illinois Volunteer Infantry on September 18, 1861. He would spend the balance of the war with his regiment, seeing action in the Western Theatre, and being promoted several times (first to 2nd Lieutenant on February 23, 1863, then to 1st Lieutenant on April 10, 1864. It was as a 1st Lieutenant that he performed his act of bravery on April 9, 1865 at Fort Blakely, Alabama that got him awarded the Medal of Honor. His citation for that action reads "While acting regimental quartermaster, learning of an expected assault, Payne requested assignment to a company that had no commissioned officers present; was so assigned, and was one of the first to lead his men into the enemy's works." His Medal was issued to him on April 1, 1898. He was eventually promoted to Captain and commander of Company C well after the fighting had ended (July 31, 1865), and commanded the company was it performed post-War occupation duty. He was finally mustered out on May 15, 1866.
Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient. He was a resident of Mendota, Illinois when he was mustered in as a Corporal in Company E, 37th Illinois Volunteer Infantry on September 18, 1861. He would spend the balance of the war with his regiment, seeing action in the Western Theatre, and being promoted several times (first to 2nd Lieutenant on February 23, 1863, then to 1st Lieutenant on April 10, 1864. It was as a 1st Lieutenant that he performed his act of bravery on April 9, 1865 at Fort Blakely, Alabama that got him awarded the Medal of Honor. His citation for that action reads "While acting regimental quartermaster, learning of an expected assault, Payne requested assignment to a company that had no commissioned officers present; was so assigned, and was one of the first to lead his men into the enemy's works." His Medal was issued to him on April 1, 1898. He was eventually promoted to Captain and commander of Company C well after the fighting had ended (July 31, 1865), and commanded the company was it performed post-War occupation duty. He was finally mustered out on May 15, 1866.
Bio by: RPD2
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