Adam Paine
Encyclopedia
Adam Paine, or Adam Payne, (1843 – 1877) was a Black Seminole who served as a United States Army Indian Scout and received America's highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor
—for his actions in the Indian Wars
of the western United States
.
Paine enlisted in the Army at Fort Duncan
, Texas
, and joined other Black Seminoles known as the "Seminole Negro Indian Scouts". From September 26, to September 27, 1874, he was serving as a private
in Texas
at Blanco Canyon
, a tributary of the Red River
, where he participated in an engagement. Paine "[r]endered invaluable service to Col. R. S. Mackenzie
, 4th U.S. Cavalry, during this engagement." A year later, on October 13, 1875, Private Paine was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at Blanco Canyon.
Paine died at age 33 or 34 and was buried at the Seminole Indian Scout Cemetery in Brackettville, Texas
.
Citation:
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
—for his actions in the Indian Wars
Indian Wars
American Indian Wars is the name used in the United States to describe a series of conflicts between American settlers or the federal government and the native peoples of North America before and after the American Revolutionary War. The wars resulted from the arrival of European colonizers who...
of the western United States
Western United States
.The Western United States, commonly referred to as the American West or simply "the West," traditionally refers to the region comprising the westernmost states of the United States. Because the U.S. expanded westward after its founding, the meaning of the West has evolved over time...
.
Paine enlisted in the Army at Fort Duncan
Fort Duncan
Fort Duncan was a U.S. Army post, set up to protect the first U.S. settlement on the Rio Grande near the current town of Eagle Pass, Texas.Fort Duncan was established on March 27, 1849, when Captain Sidney Burbank occupied the site with companies A, B, and F of the First United States Infantry...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, and joined other Black Seminoles known as the "Seminole Negro Indian Scouts". From September 26, to September 27, 1874, he was serving as a private
Private (rank)
A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank .In modern military parlance, 'Private' is shortened to 'Pte' in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries and to 'Pvt.' in the United States.Notably both Sir Fitzroy MacLean and Enoch Powell are examples of, rare, rapid career...
in Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
at Blanco Canyon
Blanco Canyon
Blanco Canyon is a canyon located in the U.S. state of Texas. Eroded by the White River into the Caprock Escarpment on the east side of the Llano Estacado, the canyon runs for in a southeasterly direction, gradually widening from its beginning in southwestern Floyd County to across at its mouth...
, a tributary of the Red River
Red River (Mississippi watershed)
The Red River, or sometimes the Red River of the South, is a major tributary of the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers in the southern United States of America. The river gains its name from the red-bed country of its watershed. It is one of several rivers with that name...
, where he participated in an engagement. Paine "[r]endered invaluable service to Col. R. S. Mackenzie
Ranald S. Mackenzie
Ranald Slidell Mackenzie was a career United States Army officer and general in the Union Army during the American Civil War, described by General Ulysses S. Grant as its most promising young officer...
, 4th U.S. Cavalry, during this engagement." A year later, on October 13, 1875, Private Paine was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at Blanco Canyon.
Paine died at age 33 or 34 and was buried at the Seminole Indian Scout Cemetery in Brackettville, Texas
Brackettville, Texas
Brackettville is a city in Kinney County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,876 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Kinney County...
.
Medal of Honor citation
Rank and organization: Private, Indian Scouts. Place and date: Canyon Blanco tributary of the Red River, Tex., 26-September 27, 1874. Entered service at: Fort Duncan, Texas. Birth: Florida. Date of issue: October 13, 1875.Citation:
Rendered invaluable service to Col. R. S. Mackenzie, 4th U.S. Cavalry, during this engagement.
See also
- Isaac PayneIsaac PayneIsaac Payne, or Isaac Paine, was a Black Seminole who served as a United States Army Indian Scout and received America's highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Indian Wars of the western United States....
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Indian Wars
- List of African American Medal of Honor recipients
- List of Native American Medal of Honor recipients