Eleazer A. Paine
Encyclopedia
Eleazer Arthur Paine was an American
soldier, author, lawyer, and a controversial general in the Union Army
during the American Civil War
. He was formally reprimanded for brutality toward civilians and violating their civil rights while commanding troops in western Kentucky.
. He was a first cousin to fellow future Civil War general Halbert E. Paine
. Paine received an appointment to the United States Military Academy
and graduated in the Class of 1839. He served in the Seminole Wars
before resigning his commission in 1840. In 1843, he wrote and published a training manual entitled Military Instructions; Designed for the Militia and Volunteers.
After resigning from the army, he studied law, passed the bar exam in 1843, and established his practice in Painesville, Ohio
, moving in 1848 to Monmouth, Illinois
. He married Charlotte Phelps and raised a family. One of Paine's close friends was fellow Illinois attorney Abraham Lincoln
.
of the 9th Illinois Infantry
. In September of that year, he was appointed as a brigadier general
of volunteers. He commanded a brigade at Paducah, Kentucky
, a critical supply depot for the Federal army. There, Paine developed a reputation for harshness and cruelty toward the civilian populace. He ordered all guerrilla fighters caught within his territory to be executed.
Paine commanded the 4th Division of the Army of the Mississippi
at the Battle of New Madrid and Island Number Ten
in Missouri leading the 1st Division. He also served in the Siege of Corinth
under William S. Rosecrans. He subsequently headed the District of West Kentucky, where his men were deployed guarding railroads from Confederate
raiders from November 1862 until April 1864, with his headquarters in Gallatin, Tennessee
. His reputation for repressing and stealing from the civilians grew, and Gallatin civilians referred to him as "our King" and "Tempest". Executions were commonplace, typically without benefit of a trial or legal counsel.
On April 29, 1864, Maj. Gen.
William T. Sherman reassigned Paine and a regiment
of his infantry to a post in Tullahoma, Tennessee
, to guard bridges crossing the Duck
and Elk rivers. He later commanded the military District of Illinois, but resigned in November 1864 and was replaced by John Cook.
A congressional inquiry into Paine's actions in Kentucky found him guilty on several counts, and punished him by reprimand at Paducah. He resigned from the army in April 1865 and resumed his law practice.
Paine died in Jersey City, New Jersey
. He is buried in Oakland Cemetery in St. Paul, Minnesota.
In some accounts, his first name is spelled as "Eleazar."
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
soldier, author, lawyer, and a controversial general in the Union Army
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. He was formally reprimanded for brutality toward civilians and violating their civil rights while commanding troops in western Kentucky.
Early life and career
Paine was born in Geauga County, OhioGeauga County, Ohio
Geauga County is a county located in the state of Ohio, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 93,389. It is named for a Native American word meaning "raccoon". The county seat is Chardon...
. He was a first cousin to fellow future Civil War general Halbert E. Paine
Halbert E. Paine
Halbert Eleazer Paine was a lawyer, politician, and general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He was a three-term postbellum U.S. Congressman from Wisconsin.-Biography:...
. Paine received an appointment to the United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
and graduated in the Class of 1839. He served in the Seminole Wars
Seminole Wars
The Seminole Wars, also known as the Florida Wars, were three conflicts in Florida between the Seminole — the collective name given to the amalgamation of various groups of native Americans and Black people who settled in Florida in the early 18th century — and the United States Army...
before resigning his commission in 1840. In 1843, he wrote and published a training manual entitled Military Instructions; Designed for the Militia and Volunteers.
After resigning from the army, he studied law, passed the bar exam in 1843, and established his practice in Painesville, Ohio
Painesville, Ohio
As of the 2010 Census, there were 19,563 people. As of the census of 2000, there were 17,503 people, 6,525 households, and 4,032 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,928.6 people per square mile . There were 6,933 housing units at an average density of 1,160.0 per square mile...
, moving in 1848 to Monmouth, Illinois
Monmouth, Illinois
Monmouth is a city in and the county seat of Warren County in the U.S. state of Illinois. It is the home of Monmouth College and contains Monmouth Park, Harmon Park, North Park, Warfield Park, West Park, South Park, Garwood Park, Buster White Park and the Citizens Lake & Campground. It is the host...
. He married Charlotte Phelps and raised a family. One of Paine's close friends was fellow Illinois attorney Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and...
.
Civil War and postbellum activities
Following the outbreak of the Civil War, Paine was elected as the colonelColonel (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
of the 9th Illinois Infantry
9th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment (3 Months)
The 9th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Service:The 9th Illinois Infantry was organized at Springfield, Illinois and mustered into Federal service on April 26, 1861 for a three month enlistment.The regiment...
. In September of that year, he was appointed as a brigadier general
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
of volunteers. He commanded a brigade at Paducah, Kentucky
Paducah, Kentucky
Paducah is the largest city in Kentucky's Jackson Purchase Region and the county seat of McCracken County, Kentucky, United States. It is located at the confluence of the Tennessee River and the Ohio River, halfway between the metropolitan areas of St. Louis, Missouri, to the west and Nashville,...
, a critical supply depot for the Federal army. There, Paine developed a reputation for harshness and cruelty toward the civilian populace. He ordered all guerrilla fighters caught within his territory to be executed.
Paine commanded the 4th Division of the Army of the Mississippi
Army of the Mississippi
Army of the Mississippi was the name given to two Union armies that operated around the Mississippi River, both with short existences, during the American Civil War.-1862:...
at the Battle of New Madrid and Island Number Ten
Battle of Island Number Ten
The Battle of Island Number Ten was an engagement at the New Madrid or Kentucky Bend on the Mississippi River during the American Civil War, lasting from February 28 to April 8, 1862. The position, an island at the base of a tight double turn in the course of the river, was held by the Confederates...
in Missouri leading the 1st Division. He also served in the Siege of Corinth
Siege of Corinth
The Siege of Corinth was an American Civil War battle fought from April 29 to May 30, 1862, in Corinth, Mississippi.-Background:...
under William S. Rosecrans. He subsequently headed the District of West Kentucky, where his men were deployed guarding railroads from Confederate
Confederate States Army
The Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
raiders from November 1862 until April 1864, with his headquarters in Gallatin, Tennessee
Gallatin, Tennessee
Gallatin is a city in and the county seat of Sumner County, Tennessee, United States, along a navigable tributary of the Cumberland River. The population was 23,230 at the 2000 census. Named for U.S...
. His reputation for repressing and stealing from the civilians grew, and Gallatin civilians referred to him as "our King" and "Tempest". Executions were commonplace, typically without benefit of a trial or legal counsel.
On April 29, 1864, Maj. Gen.
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
William T. Sherman reassigned Paine and a regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
of his infantry to a post in Tullahoma, Tennessee
Tullahoma, Tennessee
-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 18,655 people, 7,717 households, and 5,161 families residing in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 88.1% White, 7.0% African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.2% Asian, 1.1% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races...
, to guard bridges crossing the Duck
Duck River (Tennessee)
The Duck River, long, is the longest river located entirely within the U.S. state of Tennessee. Free flowing for most of its length, the Duck River is home to over 50 species of freshwater mussels and 151 species of fish, making it one of the most biologically diverse rivers in North America.The...
and Elk rivers. He later commanded the military District of Illinois, but resigned in November 1864 and was replaced by John Cook.
A congressional inquiry into Paine's actions in Kentucky found him guilty on several counts, and punished him by reprimand at Paducah. He resigned from the army in April 1865 and resumed his law practice.
Paine died in Jersey City, New Jersey
Jersey City, New Jersey
Jersey City is the seat of Hudson County, New Jersey, United States.Part of the New York metropolitan area, Jersey City lies between the Hudson River and Upper New York Bay across from Lower Manhattan and the Hackensack River and Newark Bay...
. He is buried in Oakland Cemetery in St. Paul, Minnesota.
In some accounts, his first name is spelled as "Eleazar."
See also
- List of American Civil War generals
Further reading
- Durham, Walter T., Rebellion Revisited, a History of Sumner County, Tennessee From 1861 to 1870, Gallatin, Tennessee: Sumner County Museum Association, 1982.
- Paine, Eleazar A., Military Instructions; Designed for the Militia and Volunteers... Office of the Northern Ohio Freedman, 1843.