tory, 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. FUeRST. 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 gre