Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1849-06-14


DEATH or GENERAL GAlHEs.-Gcn. Edmund
p. Gaines is no more lie died Of the pre-
vailing epidemic in New Orleans. He was
born in Cupeper Co., Virginia, March Goth.
I717. and named after his great uncle, ES
mund Pendlcton, long presiding judge of the
Virginia Court of Appeals. His father
served temporarily in the Revolutionary War,
and at its close removed TO the north west COR
ncr of North Carolina, and ailerward to East
Tennessee, where the son was early engaged
in Indian warfare, being chosen a lieutenant
at the age of eighteen. His educational ad.
vantagcs were very moderate, and he was en-
gagged in the study Of law when in 1893 he
obtained an cnsigns commission in the Army
In 1901 he was appointed Military Colleclof
for the District of Mobile, then mainly in pos
session of the Spaniards, and in 1906 was ac-
lively engaged in the Government measures Of
resistance TO Arron Burr's projects. personally
commanding at Burr's arrest.
About this time he was mlde a Captain,
and soon after seeing no further prospect Of
active servce-obaned furough and com.
menccd the practice of law in Mississippi Ter
rtory, now Alabama Just as he was getting
int practice tho War of 1912 was declared,
and he promptly resumed his position in tie
Army. He was in Wilknson's laundering
expedition of 1913, and commanded the 25ih
infantry at the battle Of Chrysler's FieIds,
Nov. Ilth, won distinction in the fight, and
covered the retreat of our army with gallant
ry and success which eiicted general admira-
rion lie was made Brigadier General
March 9th, 1914, and commanded at Sackett's
liarbor until August, reaching Fort Erie and
taking command there on the 5th. The gal
liant and successful defence of Gen. Gaines Of
that post forms one of The most brilliant chap.
ters in our military annals At length, hav-
ing been severely wounded by a smell, he re-
signed the command to Gen. Ripley and crossed
to Buffalo. He did not recover in time 10 en-
gage in the farther prosecution of the war,
which closed next Spring, but he received the
thanks of Congress, with a medal, and the
breyet rank Of Major General for his brilliant
defence.
He was soon after transferred to the South,
and engaged under Jackson in the Creek war
of 1912. lie afterwards commanded in mo
Southern Military District until the reduction
of the Army IN 1921, when he was retained
as Brigadicr and the Western Division as
signed him. lie was a candidate for Man
General in 1928, but Mr. Adams decided tha.
General Macomb's CHIN was stronger. Gen
Gaines was the senior officer during what is
'ulgarly known as the 'Sauk fuss in lS3l-3,
md was for time engaged in the Seminole
War Of 1896. When the Mexican War
'roke out, he called out a liberal allow ance O
Southwestern Militia without awaiting orders
rom ashincton, Involving heavy ex-
'ensc with no adequate result. lie was
,ourt Martaed for this, but not censured. -
lie was soon after transferred to the Eastern
Division, with his Headquarters in this c;ts.
nd only returned to the South during tho
ast winter. Though seventy two years old hs
cemcd in good general health, and we did
ot think, on hiding him adicu at Washington
na! he was 50 near his long home lie was
man of exucne simplicity Of character and
ne most unlucs,oncd integrity N. Y, Ti
uHc.