The daily crescent., 1849-06-09
General Gaines.

expressive of their desire to evnce by every mark
OF respect their high appreciation of the military
and civil merits of the deceased, whose name has
been so long associated with the glory Of his coun-
try in arms and whose patriotism has left SO many
proofs Of his devotion to the best interests OF tie
public,' they appointed committees TO make all
proper arrangements for a Military and Civic pro
fesson to receive the body and attend it to the
grave. The Mayor issued his proclamation, in
viiing the officers of the Army and Navy and Re-
venue Service of the United States, the foreign
Consus, incorporated and other Societies, the
Judges and all other citizens to unite in the solem
nities and requesting the citizens to abstain from
their ordinary avocations during the ceremonial
The Register furnishes the following condensed
sketch ofihe career Of the deceased
"This distinguished soldier was the oldest Off
Ger in the American army, and his career was
marked, throughout, by the most useful and bril-
liant services. His original commission, ensign,
bore date the 10th of January, 1899. A few years
after he was selected to make typographical sur
vey, through the wilderness, from Nashville to
NatcheZ, for the location of q military road. This
hazardous duty he performed TO the satisfaction of
the Government In the year 1904, when it was
found that Spain refused to deliver up the territory
between the Mississippi and Perdido, including
Mobile and Baton Rouge, and obstructed the
American trade with the Gulf, the President de-
termined to appoint military collector of customs
for the District of St. Stephens and selected
Lieut.. Gaines for that Office, TO which, after,
were added the duties of postmaster at Fort Stod
dart, with Il supervision, as agent, over the other
posimasicrs and mail contractors, and carriers, in
the extensive section of country from New Orleans
10 Augusta, Ca. the greater portion Of which was
then aewlderness. While in the discharge Of
these various and complicated dutes he was in
slrumentai in the arrest of Col. Burr, on the Tom
bigbce, and had him carried to Richmond, Va,
for trial.
Gaines had now risen to the rank Of Captain :;
but begun tire of the dull enioypents of peace
establishment in the Army, and, obtaining permis
sion from his commanding general Wade Hamp-
ton, retired from the SERVICE and turned his
ton to the Law, profession which he had studied
before entering the Army. He entered upon the
practice in the counties Of Washington and Bald
win, in the then Mississippi Territory, with fiat
ierirg auspices but the declaration of war against
Great Britain, in 1872, called him 10 resume lis
sword.
9" In this war. Gen. Gaines won his brightest
laures. He was particularly distinguished i'll the
action at Cbryster's Field, and the memorable de-
renee of Fort Erie, where lie was severely wounded
by the bursting Of shell. The Important services
by which he gained his high reputation for gal
lantry and soldierslip, form conspicuous passages
in our military history. lie received, in rapid sue
cession, promotions Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel
Adiuiaut General, Brigadier- General, and Major
Gener,l-the last the highest rank authorized by
lew, and particularly complimentary from being
conierreia warb brcpct expressly stating the fact
that it was conferred on him in consequence OF
his gallant and meritorous conduct in battle
The General Government awarded him a vote of
thanks with gold medal, and the States OF New
York, Virginia and Tennessee, each voted him
gold mounted sword.
90 From this time Gen. Gaines devoted himself
to the military service of bis country, aiding in per-
E.att,, fIn A
fences. He was always distinguished for his
scientific knowledge as a soldier, and suggested
many valuable improvements and experiments In
the Florida war, he took brief bat active part,
and was anxious to have shared in The dangers and
honors of our war with Mexico, but the demands OF
the service required his presence elsewhere.
Gen. Gaines was always passionately devoted
to his country. He loved her honor and prosperity
above his own life. To the special qualities of a
soldier, which he possessed in the most chiyaifous
degree, he added the ntiainmcnts OF the scholar,
particularly in all branches appurtenant to hs pro-
lession. His many allie reports and communica-
tons to the Government evinced his intellectual
abilities, and the temper of his patriotism.
"'The death of this great man will be regarded
as a national loss. Though he has gone luil of
years, at the allotted end of life, yet his presence in
our midst suggested the noblest lessons OF patriot
ISM aud patriotic service.
" BY the citizens of Mobile, the national loss will
be particularly regretted. As we have shown,
Zen. Gaines was intimately connected with our
early history, and the fortunes of this city. His
first marriage was with daughter of Judge Harry
Toulmin, the father of Gen. Toulmin, our recent
Postmaster. His brother, George s. Gaines, one
OF our Oldest and most valuable citizens, was, like
tile General, a participant in all the movements
which acquired Western Alabama, and the adj ia
cent parts of Mississippi from the Indians, and this
city, with the country west of the Perddo, from
Spain. They were the earliest American pioneers
into this section of the Union, and may be regarded
as among the Fathers of Mobile Gen. Gaines
leaves here, large number of relations, besides
the whole community, to lament his death and do
honor to his memory"