Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1849-06-23
MAJOR GENERAL E. r. GAINES.

Inc New orleans Flcayune, In 3nnQun-S
cling the death of this gallant veteran,
who was only warrior for the sake of
peace, thus happily sketches the Incidents
of g life long and useful--which gave
honor to his country and fame to the de-
parted chieftain.
"Now that the aged warrior is no
more, and professional rivalries can no
longer cast q shade over his merit, the
whole Republic will no doubt hasten to
pay unqualified tribute to his many ad-
mirable qualities. We do not pretend to
cnumerate them here, for they have
place of greater lustre in the impershable
records of some of the brightest pages of
American history; but we will remark
that in no part of the United States were
they better appreciated than in New Or
leans, where by along residence he had
thoroughly imbued its inhabitants with
the conviction of this high military geni-
us, his devoted patriotism, and his pecu-
liar single mindedness in all that related
to the public service. His views on the
line Of policy to be adopted at the outset
Of the war with Mexico afford an illustra-
tion Of the ample grasp of mind in militia
ry matters with which he was endowed,
and his promptitude in meeting the ext
gencies that arose out of our first opera
uons on the Rio Grande, evinced the
genuine patriotism which ever character.
lied his noble heart.
"We recollect an incident at that Pc
riod which admirably brought out his fine
qualities of the devoted citizen and un-
compromising soldier. When superse-
dcd In command, he remark in our pres
cnce before the superior officers of the
Louisville Legion, then about to proceed
TO Brazos Gentlemen, we are in dia-
metrically opposite position; glorious to
you, but painful in the extreme to me.
You go to meet the foe; I, for the first
time in my life, am compelled, in the hard
obligations of duty, and under superior
orders, to turn my back on him. But
the task would be an endless one to re-
capitulate the examples with which his
glorious career abounds, of his unhesita-
ting sacrifices to honor, duty, and his
country's veal
"l1is brilliant defence of Fort Erie is
fresh in the minds of his admiring coun-
trymen his arrest of Aaron Burr, when
occupying very subordinate rank in the
service, and other exploits must be left to
the pen of his biographer. We look for
q sketch of his life, more ample in detail
than can be afforded in the columns of the
daily press, wherein full justice shall be
done him.
ten. Gaines retained his consciousness
during his short illness, until the nom mt
of the collapse. Yesterday mornir {, re-
cognlslng one of his young military friends
who stood much affected at his bedside,
he remarked to him in measured accents:
We'll, my young friend, my time is ap-
preaching suppose | must go. have
nothing on my conscience, and am not
afraid to die I am an old man, and prob
ably nave lived long enough This high
ly characteristic address was delivered
with the utmost calmness, showing the
perfect peace of mind of the brave and
good old soldier.
when the moment of dissolution ar
rived, life passed away without a strun-
gle. He died as he had lived, calm and
collected with serenity that nothing
not even the terrors of the mo tai pang-
could discompose.
"The deceased was born in Virginia,
on the goth of March, in the year l777
was appointed Ensign of Infantry from
Tennessee, 10th June, 1899 Major Gen.
eral by brevet 18th August, 1914; and
at the time of his death was commander
in-chief of the Southern Division of the
army.
"The mortal remains of the gallant old
hero have already been dressed in the
full uniform Of his rank, with his battle
sword buckled to his side. Thus he lies
ir death, as he ever wished to lie, with
the panoply of proud soldier on Thus
ne will be buried as he ever wished TO be
buried Edmund Pendleton Gaines was
as brave soldier as ever trod on battle
ground!
--O-----
From the South Cdyolin;on