Arkansas intelligencer., 1849-07-28
GENERAL GAINES.

The NIGHT ATTACK ON FoRT ERIE.-The brief
obituary notices of the late General Gaines, that
have appeared in the newspapers, all speak of his
defence Of Fort Erie as one of the most gallant
acts in his long career. The following spirited
description of the achievement is taken from Mr.
Silliman's clever little volume, " A Gallop among
American Scenery published some five or six
years ago - -s..t
"Here,' said the major, we had thrown up
our line, making the defence strong as practca.
able. The British had also erected formidable
works about half mile in 'front.' (the forest in
tervening.) composed of large stone battery on
their left and Two strong redoubts, from which
they kept up an incessant discharge of shot and
shells for several successive days, which, was re.
turned by us with equal vigor. AT length shell
from their batteries blew up one of our small ma
gaines, but with triffng injury to the rest of our
defences. They were elevated with their success,
and General Gaines received secret information
that they intended to carry the works by storm
on the following night. That night, said the ma
jor, shall not soon forget. 1t set in intensely
dark and cloudy, extremely favorable to the de-
sign of the enemy. Every thing was put in the
fullest state of preparation to receive them. The
men, enthusiastically awaiting the attack, were
ordered to lie on their arms. Extended along the
lines, and manning the fort and basion. our little
army, in perfect silence, awaited their coming.
The forest had been cleared about three hundred
yards in front of our works-beyond that were,
as you see, the woods. As she night wore on, we
listened with earnestness TO every sound. A little
after midnight we heard on the dry leaves the
stealthy sound Of footsteps. We listened they
came nearer. short, sharp challenges; "Who
goes there? - issued from that farther redoubt.
The footsteps ceased, as if irresoute to advance
or recede, and all was still. Another quick chal-
Ienge-a rattle of the musket, it fell into the
hoIIow of the hand-followed the reply:-"Picquet
guard forced in by the enemy's advance
'Back, guard back to your posts instantly, or
we will fire upon you,'' said the stern voice of
our commanding officer. The footsteps of the
sragglers slowly receded, and entire stiffness
again obtained. 1t was as profound as the dark
ness, not even the hum of an insect rose upon the
ear. We laid our heads upon the ramparts, and
listened with all our faculties. Perhaps half an
hour elapsed, when ina gined we heard the
dead, heavy sound of a large body of men-tramp
-tramp--tramp-advanc through the pitchy
darkness. A few moments passed. brisk, scat
tering FIRE. and the picquets came in in beautiful
order, under the brave subalern in command.
The measured tread Of disciplined troops became
apparent. Every sense was stretched to the ut.
most in expectancy-every eye ep5eavored to
fathom the darkness in 'front.' when, from Tow sons
battery, that toward the river, glanced volley of
musketry, and in another insta Mt the whole line
of works, bastion, redoubt and rampant, streamed
forth one living sheet of fame. Two eighteens,
mounted where we stand, were filled 10 the muz-
zle with grape, canister and bags of musket bu.
lets--imagine their havoc. The enemy came on
with loud shouts and undaunted bravery. By the
continued glare Of our discharges we could see
dense, dark masses of men, moving in columns to
three sepa rate points Of attack upon our works.
Our artillery and musketry poured on them as