The New York herald., 1849-06-11
Mnior-GensraI Gainaa


1t was our melancholy duty, few days since, to
announce to our readers the death of the veteran
Major-General Gaines, the Oldest officer in the
military service of the United States, and well
tired public servant The intelligence was received
with sorrow and regret throughout the country.
The following sketch of his life and career will be
read with interest =
Brevet Major General Edmund p Gaines Is ono Of the
oldest officers ia the American army his first commits
sion, ensign OF infantry bearing date January 10th
I509 He Is native Of Virginia and his father was an
officer in the army OF that State during tho revolu-
tioDary war About tho year 1890 he removed Ten
,Dessee where his carly days were passed amid the
hardships OF a wOodmsn's life During this time his
education prime paily by mis- mother
who indefatigabs in her attention to this parti
cular. He afterwards studied mathematics and en-
ployed his leisure hours in surveying land
be date OF his entering the army has already been
given. During tho same year he was appointed as
second lieutenant in the 9th Infantry From this Pc
riod until 1906, he employed by govern ment in
various duties both surveyor aud oicer ia the
army In this year. by order of tho President he ar
rested the famous Colonel Burr, whose had
long counteuap the opinion that ho entertained
reasonable designs agxinst the government
For his fearless prOmptitudc in this affair. Captain
Gaines was appointed United S'ates marshal by Pre-
sident Jefferson and in this capacity summ )ned a
The result OF this smomentous trial IL well known.
Burr was acquitted of tho charges preferred against
him, and many individuals incurred the anmosity Of
his friends by The course they had pursued Although
Captain Gaines acted under direct orders from the
fredent there IL every reason to believe that por-
tion OF this dsapprobaIion fell upon him.
fter the war had been declared with Great Britain,
Gaines now advanced to ooionoD employ ed in diff
terent expeditions agsinst the north western Indians.
He was afterwards present MT the battle Of Chryster
Fields November nth. lSl3 where lie highly dis
inguished himself ~ to be rewarded by the appoint
ment March Sth lS16l Of brigsdier general.
But the most brilliant action of General Gaines was
his defence Of Fort Erie against vastly superior force
OF British, under General Drummond. The attack
commenced the night Of the 18th uf August, 1914,
by yolleys Of shell and shot followed soon after by
three simultaneous charges with the bayonct Although
the darkness int the general kept his men
duty, and aoing himself among the militia, showed
them how to their fire to the best effect. Before
the wide blasts that burst from the fort in all drec-
tions the British columns recoiled Again and again
they were led TO the attack, and efon repuled with
fearful slaughter Five hundred aud eighty of the
enemy were killed wounded and taken in this assault;
while the garrison lott but seventeen killed. and sixty
seven wounded and prisoners.
After this defence, the British commenced bonn
EardmeIt OF the fort which continued until the
latter end Of August They then invested 1t with
their entire army maintaining close siege until the
sOrtie sf General Brown (September 17th) by which
the gr, ater part of their works was destroyed
For this noble defence. General Gaines voted q
gold medal by Congress and swords by the legislatures
OF several States No further opportunity Of distinc
ton was afforded him during the
During the difficulties with tho Spanish and Indians
in Florida, General Gaines assigned the command
In the western portion of that province; but tho
nature Of his instructions did not permit him to engage
IN active service He accompanied Genera! jackson in
his march toward St. Augustine, and in obedience to
instructions bombarded that place until it surron
dered.
In 1921, General Gaines assigned to the command
OF the western military depaI ment and in 1882,
concerned In the Black Hawk When the Semi
ncles commenced hCstilities he again ordered
Florida and though unable to bring the Indians to
decisive engagement he performed there duties AZ
duous and useful.
When General Taylor surrounded by tho Msxi-
at Fort Brown, General Gaines. fearing that he
might be cut of with his little army, called out u
large force OF volunteers For this he accused Of
exceeding authority, and summoned to Washington
for trial court Ut inquiry met at Fortress Monroe
July 10th, lsi8, and thorough investigation took
place. The result the finding OF no direct au-
thorty for the pursued by the general except
honest conviction that he acting In accordance
with the dictates Of duty Appended TO their verdict
was the following recommendation -:
havIg reported thoir finding and opinion the court
the good and patriotic moves and tho public zeal which,
the court believe General Gaines in all these
ransacons ard therefore they that further
proceedings be had in this case"
The matter was accordingly dropped and General
Gaines restored to that confidence which the public
have been ever proud to reposo in him.
1t will be seen from the above sketch that the
services which Major General Gaines rendered to
his country in his lifetime were brilliant, and
marked by courage, gallantry, and daring of high
order. He has departed from amongst us, full Of
honors and of years, and his memory will not be
forgotten by his countymen.