Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 39, Number 102, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 August 1907 — Their Only Mexican War Surviver. [ARTICLE]

Their Only Mexican War Surviver.

Capt. G. W. Payne, nowofMonticello, but so long a resident of this county, and from which he enlisted in the civil war, and soon to retnrn to Rensselaer as his fntnre place of residence, is the only surviving soldier of the Mexican war now residing in White county. When the captain returns here Jasper county will have two such survivors, the other being Wm. Ball, also of Rensselaer. The Monticello Journal gives the following interesting sketch of Capt. Payne’s Mexican war experience: As nearly as the Journal can learn Capt. G. W. Payne, on Sonth Railroad street, is the only survivor of the Mexican War in this conntv. He enlisted at Madison, this state, when be was only fifteen years and two months old, in the 3rd Indiana Regiment, under UoL James H. Lane. He served in General Taylor’s army and was in all tl e engagements from Palo Alto to Buena Vista. He has an excellent remembrance of “Old Rough and Ready,” and can give a splen did story of the campaign. In those days those that did not have saddle horses or ox wagons had to go a-foot, and the only speedy transportation was that by boats where water ways were convenient. At the expiration of the time of his enlistment the regiment was .’so far away from home, and the transportation was so bad, that he was not mustered ont until almost four months later. When Civil Strife rent the land Mr. Payne enlisted in the 87th lud. Regiment, and did valiant service once more for his flag and country. He is a we’l preserved old gentleman and bids fare to live several decades yet.