The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-03-30
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 80 1901.
General William H. Payne.

N william ri, Payne died in Washington
+ an Yesterday in the scventy-fitth year o.
b,s nra, closing a long and useful me-
liz was educated at the virginia Mill
tary Institute and the University OF vir-
rlnia, and began the practice OF the IA"
IN ,yarrcnton. He soon achieved etl'i -
nencc in his profession. which he pur-
sued with ever increasing reputation ana
3 success until Virginia summoned her
children to her defense
when the ordinance of Secession was
/, don't ed. he was In the city OF RICHMOND,
4 h.vlng come hither to urge prompt anu
K decisive action upon the convention as
tno most likely means OF preserving inc
race, and, In any event, the only course
consistent With the dignity ana llol'o'
4 az 1he Commonwealth. Upon the passage
rs - ~ ordinance OF Secession, he return
Cd with utmost speed to Fauauier ana
Joined at the earliest possible moment
54, he Black Horse troop Of cavalry, OF
.,,icb he was a member at Harper
Ferry.
IN ., few days this company was or
dered to return to Wnrrenton, where y
was rcorganized and he was elected its
captain. ssl .9ist5
Early in May, 1861, he was ordered 10
report with his troops at Manassas
where small force had assembled, ana
on June list he was moved to the front
at Fairfax Courthouse to reinforce that
most which had been attacked by Il
marty Of Federal cavalry, resulting III
The death OF John Quincy Mari, captain
OF the Warrenton Rifles, perhaps the
earliest sacrifice that Virginia offered
upon the altar Of duty
General Payne soon proved himself a
4 tcauable soldier His troop was thor
oucblv drilled. disciplined and equipped,
and fol. tile Influence of his impress
upon ii during all the trying scenes IN
which it was called upon to partlclpiite
He was with his command at Bull Kun
aud First Manassas but cavalry as is
,,.,ll t,.nown played but secondary part
in those actions.
soon thereafter the Fourth Virginia
Regiment Of Cavalry was organized, with
the Black Horse troop as Company III
with Beverley Robinson as colonel; VIII
1;ams C. Wlckham as lieutenant- colonel
end William II. Payne as Its major he
served with his regiment untll May -
1862, when he was desperately Wouhdeo At
Williamsburg When our army retired
his condition was such that he could
not he removed. and. as consequence,
ne fell into the .Adnds Of the enemy.
After some months he was exchanged
and. ever eager for active service, no
took charge of tho post at Warrenton
ana With such force Of the sick, wounded
and others rs he could gather around
him. preserved order In tho town. and
protected tho country from the depreda-
ton Of maraudcrs
During tho coming winter he was sta
toned at LynchburG, and In the cam
palgn Of 1865 reported for active service.
In the movements preliminary to the
battle OF Gettysburg, he was wounded
In chnrga at the head of his men, ut
Hanover, in; Pennsylvania. ana again
fell into tho hands OF the enemy lie
WAS exchanged in time to sliA.e in most
OF the campaign OF 1861. He had In the
meantime been promoted to the colonclcy
of the Fourth Cavalry, and in rccogni-
lion of his great merit as u soldier, was
shortly made brgadier- general,
1t Is doubtful II in the army there
was man who, BY nature, was more
richly endowed with all the Qualities
lint 20 10 make a brilliant and efficient
cavalry commander. An attractive pres
erce. a winning manner, q; superb horse
manshIp, unsurpassed courage, and an
intelligence that combined alcrtness OF
perception and soundness of judgment
won for him the confidence and affec-
ZION OF his men and ths esteem Of his
Ruperiors.
rhe last battle In which he was en-.
gaeed was that of Five Forks. Here
uaain he was wounded and returning &c
his home In Warrenton, WAS captured
ny a raiding party and carried to Wash
iugton, If space permitted nn interest
ing story could be told Of his adventure
upon his arrival in that city, which wa!
,nep in paroxysm OF excitement owe
the ASSASSINATION OF Mr. Lilcon,
Returning. after some months OF cap
tyity 10 his home. he pursued The pro
1eesion Of the law with the greatest dill
rerce and success, He was soon in tlu
enjoyment Of lucrative practice Here
for many years, surrounded by q de
voted family md a host OF friends, Il
lived an almost ideal life, dispensin
an unbounded hospitality. nut him~2l
finding his chief delight when The tea
gus demands Of the law permitted. (
storing his mind with what is best
ancient and modern literature
AZ an advocate before the court b