Introduction
by Alethea D. Sayers
While the American Civil War might often be referred to as "a war among
gentlemen," there were extreme instances of cruelty and acts of barbarism
recorded throughout the four years of warfare. Some of these cases are
better known that others, such as the war between the Kansas "Jayhawkers"
and the Missouri "Bushwhackers." Other instances, while less bloody, were
nontheless deemed so cruel that the perpetrators would go down in history
as "infamous." Men such as Benjamin Butler, for his treatment of the citizens
of New Orleans, W. T. Sherman, for his ousting of Atlanta's citizens, and
the list goes on.
But many of those instances where officers carried out their own personal
vendettas against the enemy are seldom heard about. Such is the case of
Union Gen. Eleazar Paine, and his reign of terror over the citizens of
Gallatin, Tennessee. It is only through diaries, such as the one written
by sixteen-year-old Alice Williamson, that we get a glimpse of how "human
rights" became the biggest casualty of the war.
*** this article reprinted with
express written permission from Duke University ***
Eleazar Arthur Paine
Throughout her diary Alice Williamson refers to him as E. A. Payne,
Payne, Gen. P., Old Payne, Our king, Tempest, his lordship, old hurricane,
Thunder Storm, and Old Marster, but his real name was Eleazar Arthur Paine.
He was born on September 10, 1815, in Geauga City, Oh. He died on December
16, 1882 in Jersey City, NJ. He graduated from West Point 1839 and went
on to be a lawyer and militia officer. After the war he practiced law.
He was a cousin of Gen. H. E. Paine, who later became a congressman, and
a bureaucrat. His Civil War service includes:
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July 1861 Col. of 9th Illinois, September 1861 appointed Brig. Gen. of
Volunteers
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Commanded a brigade at Paducah
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Commanded 4th Division/Army of the Mississippi at New Madrid
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Island No 10, Ft. Pillow, Memphis
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Commanded 1st Division/Army of the Mississippi and District of West Kentucky
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Guarded railroads
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Resigned from millitary duty April 1865.
Gallatin was repressed by the brutal General Eleazar A. Paine, commander
of the Union railroad guard from November 1862, to April, 1864. The occupying
army in Gallatin had two assignments; protect the rail and water lines,
and police the civilian population. In 1862, they built a fort at Gallatin,
called Fort Thomas, that overlooked the town. The provost marshall stationed
at the fort was given the responsibility of policing Gallatin.
During 1863 General Paine tightened military control over the Gallatin
area. He did this by giving patriotic speeches to his troops, and getting
support from the local newspapers. His men criss-crossed Summer County,
looking for rebels and bushwhackers. For example, in January, he took a
large force eastward towards Kentucky, using cavalry to round up rebels.
His tyranny was always present. He was known all around Gallatin for
executing suspected rebel spies without a trial. His sadistic executions
like chasing down prisoners who were set free on old horses is described
in Williamson's diary as "chasing the fox with fresh horses." He also had
a fondness for villagers' furniture, confiscating it for his own use.
He was removed from the post April 29, 1864 by the orders of Major General
William T. Sherman, who transferred him to Tullahoma to guard bridges across
the Duck and Elk rivers. The following is the text of the order as published
in The War of the Rebellion: a Compilation of the Official Records
of the Union and Confederate Armies Ser.1, v.32 pt.3.
April 29, 1864
General Rousseau,
Nashville, Ten.: Order General Paine and the regiment now at Gallatin
to Tullahoma, and give him charge of the defense of the road, embracing
Duck and Elk River bridges. Replace Paine's troops by some guard at the
bridges. The road north of Nashville is not important to me but the south
is vital. Remember to place gun racks and muskets in all the forts and
strong buildings, so that citizens may, if necessary, assist in the defense
of Nashville. But there is no danger there now and cannot be for a month
to come
W.T. Sherman
He was quickly back to his old ways, and soon he was under investigation.
A congressional inquiry into his actions in Kentucky found him guilty on
some counts, and punished him by reprimand at Paducah.
Eleazar A. Paine's son was mentioned by Alice as "Capt. Paine (Son of
Tempest)," and was stationed at Gallatin for a time. His full name was
Captain Phelps Paine.
(from Durham, Walter T. Rebellion Revisited, a History
of Sumner County, Tennessee From 1861 to 1870 Sumner County Museum
Association. Gallatin, Tennessee. 1982.)
GO TO ALICE
WILLIAMSON DIARY --->
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