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VMI's Civil War Generals
William H. Payne, Class of 1849

VMI Civil War Generals top level 

  • Biographical Information William H. Payne photo
    • Early Life
      William Henry Fitzhugh Payne, born January 27, 1830, Fauquier Co., Virginia; Parents: Arthur Alexander Morson Payne and Mary Conway Mason Fitzhugh. 
    • VMI record
      Enrolled at VMI on August 12, 1846; he was a cadet for only one year; declared an honorary graduate by the Board of Visitors in 1873.
    • Marriage
      In 1852, Mary Elizabeth Winston Payne (cousin); they had 10 children; a son Harry F., attended VMI as a member of the class of 1877.
    • Pre-Civil War
      Studied law at the University of Virginia; began law practice in Warrenton, Virginia in 1851; Commonwealth's Attorney of Fauquier Co.
    • Civil War
      Capt., Black Horse Cavalry; Major, 4th Virginia Cavalry; commanded regiment at Williamsburg, where he was severely wounded and captured; exchanged and returned to duty as Lt. Col., 2d North Carolina Cavalry; led 2d NC at Chancellorsville; captured during Stuart's Pennsylvania raid and imprisoned at Johnson's Island; exchanged and appointed Brigadier General November 1864; served in Valley under Early; during final operations around Richmond commanded brigade under Munford.
    • Post-war
      Resumed law practice; general counsel for the Southern Railway Co.; died March 29, 1904 in Washington, DC.