Joseph and William Payne

Brothers Joseph Benjamin and William Rufus Payne both served during the Civil War. In 1860, the two brothers were living with their father, Rufus Payne, who was a hotel keeper, their mother, Mary (Calhoun) Payne, and their sisters, Mary and Charlotte.

William R. Payne, carte-de-visite in an album
kept by his sister Charlotte "Lottie" Payne.
Collection of Cornwall Historical Society.

William Payne (1832-1865) was working as a house painter when the Civil War started. He enlisted with Company I, 11th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry as a 1st Sergeant on October 16, 1861. William was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on June 2, 1862 and served a three year term, mustering out on October 21, 1864. He returned home to Cornwall, suffering from a disease contracted during his service. William Payne died at home from that disease on February 20, 1865. He was buried in the Cornwall Cemetery on Cemetery Hill Road (now Route 4).

Joseph B. Payne, carte-de-visite in an album
kept by his sister Charlotte "Lottie" Payne.
Collection of Cornwall Historical Society.

Joseph Payne (1841-1864) enlisted with Company G, Second Regiment Connecticut Volunteers Heavy Artillery as a Corporal on August 4, 1862. He was promoted to Sergeant on January 1, 1864 and to Quarter Master Sergeant on February 13, 1864. Joseph was killed at the Battle of Cold Harbor on June 1, 1864. He was buried on the battlefield, now at the Cold Harbor National Cemetery.

One of several Civil War letters written by Joseph Payne,
now in the Collection of the Cornwall Historical Society.

During the war, Joseph wrote frequently to his sister Charlotte “Lottie” Payne back home in Cornwall. In a letter written at Headquarters Camp near Alexandria on October 6, 1862, Payne wrote “The boys from Cornwall are all well.” He also discussed a box of food and other items from home that Charlotte was preparing to send him, requesting pie and encouraging her to send a “good sized box for it don’t cost much more than a small one.”

Fearing the worst for himself, Payne prepared a final letter to be sent to his sister in the event of his death. The letter, now in the collection of the Cornwall Historical Society, consisted primarily of a poem intended to console Lottie as she grieved for the loss of her brother. A transcript of the letter is as follows:

Sister Lottie

Do not be at your wit’s end wondering who this comes from, but receive it as the words of your now Sainted brother,

Joseph

From one who loves thee with thoughts to dear to tell, let us recognize each other in heaven.

To Lottie

O, think of me not as afar, when you meet

  Where the oft bereft circle sits closer around,

Look not with despondence on one vacant seat,

  Nor think of me there as beneath the cold ground

From my home in the mansions of Glory above

  I may visit you often in those circles of love.

O, think of me not as afar when you bend

  And united by offer the incense of prayer,

It ascends to my home and my spirit may lend

  The gladning of its love to present it when there,

Or may holier around you unseen & impart

  Some promptings of love to each supplicant heart.

O, think of me not as afar when you bow

  In the temple to worship [..] father & God

In the place where I praise him no tears ever flow

  There is naught to remind of his chastening rod

My spirit may meet the resigned heart & raise

  In responses more full, the glad anthems of praise.

O, think of me not as afar, when alone

  You muse over the past & recall each glad voice

When the visions of earth, the most brightly have shone

  And by sorrow untaught, you have dared to rejoice

O, how near would I then be to whisper of joy

  Which the arrow of death can never destroy.

O, think of me not as afar in that house

  When in secret you as for the blessing of peace

If in sadness, my savior may send me to pour

  The sweet balm he bestows on the spirit forgiven

And as comfort flows in o’er your grief wounded soul

  Let no murmur, of sorrow the soft tide control.

O, think of me not as afar off whenever

  Sweet cheerfulness, visits the shrine of your heart

The smile of that happiness, never, no, never

  Would my spirit ever lessen or bid to depart

I would be still remembered, but not with the tomb

  Should the thoughts of the happy be blended with gloom..

O, think of me not, as afar off when meeting

  The absent returned, or the friends frequent call

I would add to the hearts cheerful greeting

  And on missions of mercy, would fain bless you all

Then check not one joy, that religion approves

  But smiles through the tears that remembrances still move.

O, think of me not, as afar off or lonely,

  Here are myriads of happy ones chanting their songs

And remember, remember that here & here only

  True happiness, pure & immortal belongs

The ransomed[?] from earth are raising their voices

  As the music of Angels my spirit rejoices.