Major General Edmund P. Gaines. [Rx]. Resolution of Congress November 3. 1814. MAJOR-GENERAL EDMUND PENDLETON GAINES. [_Victory of Erie._] MAJOR GENERAL EDMUND P. (_Pendleton_) GAINES. Bust of General Gaines, in uniform, facing the right FÜRST. F. (_fecit_). RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS NOVEMBER 3. 1814. A winged Victory, standing on a British shield, holds a palm branch in her left hand, and places with her right a crown of laurel upon the cascabel of a cannon standing upright in the ground, and forming the centre of a trophy of the enemy's arms: on the cannon is the inscription ERIE. Exergue: BATTLE OF ERIE AUG. (_August_) 15. 1814. FÜRST. F. (_fecit_).[103] [Footnote 103: The resolution of Congress voting this medal is given under No. 39, page 203.] EDMUND PENDLETON GAINES was born in Culpepper County, Virginia, March 20, 1777. He entered the army as ensign of infantry, 1799; became first-lieutenant, 1802; captain, 1807; major and lieutenant-colonel, 1812; colonel, 1813, and brigadier-general 1814. He greatly distinguished himself at the battle of Erie, August 15, 1814, and was badly wounded on the 28th of the same month. For his services on this occasion he was breveted major-general, September 14, 1814, and Congress gave him a vote of thanks and a gold medal. He served in Florida (Seminole war) and in Georgia (Creek war); and was commander of the southern and afterward of the western military districts. He died in New Orleans, June 6, 1849. _____ ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS. (p. 227) _General Gaines to the Secretary of War._ To the Honourable Head-Quarters, Fort Erie, U. C.,[104] John ARMSTRONG, August 15th, 1814. Secretary of War, Washington, D. C. [Footnote 104: U. C., Abbreviation of Upper Canada.] Sir: My heart is gladdened with gratitude to Heaven and joy to my country, to have it in my power to inform you that the gallant army under my command has this morning beaten the enemy commanded by Lieutenant-General Drummond, after a severe conflict of nearly three hours, commencing at 2 o'clock this morning. They attacked us on each flank, got possession of the salient bastion of the old Fort Erie, which was regained at the point of the bayonet, with a dreadful slaughter. The enemy's loss in killed and prisoners, is about 600; near 300 killed. Our loss is considerable, but I think not one-tenth as great as that of the enemy. I will not detain the express to give you the particulars. I am preparing my force to follow up the blow. With great respect, etc., Edmund P. GAINES, _Brigadier-General commanding_. _____ _General Gaines to the Secretary of War._