Some More on Patrick Gass-- Part 7: Service in the War of 1812

With Jackson's Army, Patrick Gass had the option of enlistment in the U.S. Army for five years, which he took.  Of course, he also got a bounty of $100 for doing so. and then marched north under the command of General Edmund P. Gaines.

Gass was at Fort Massac in Illinois in 1813; and the 1st of July 1814 found him at Pittsburgh, in a battalion under the command of Colonel Nichols, with the Northern Army, which was under the command of General Jacob Brown.

He took part in the assault on Fort Erie, and was conspicuous for his bravery in the Battle of Lundy's Lane, where he was attached to the  21st regiment under the command of the gallant Colonel James Miller.  Gass is said to have distinctly remembered hearing Miller's memorable  answer, when ordered by General Ripley to capture the British battery:  "I will try, sir."

Gass shows up gallantly  in a sortie made August 17 when he was entrusted with the duty of spiking the enemy's guns.  His selection for such duty, requiring cool  courage, was a high compliment to the sergeant and shows the estimation  in which he was held.

He was discharged  at Sackets Harbor in June 1815, and once again returned to Wellsburg.

His military career was now over.

--Brock-Perry

Tennessee in the War of 1812-- Part 7: Tennesseans Who Played Roles in the War

In addition to Andrew Jackson, several Tennesseeans played vital roles in the War of 1812.

Congressman Felix Grundy was one of the principal "War Hawk," who were mostly Congressmen from the South and West, who pressed the government for a declaration of war.  I often drive through Grundy County, Illinois, and its county seat, Morris.  It was named for Felix Grundy when he was attorney general of the United States.

James Winchester, a resident of Sumner County, was commissioned a brigadier general and led an unsuccessful invasion of Canada.

Edmund Pendleton Gaines, an East Tennesseean, rose to the rank of major general for his role in defeating the British at Fort Erie in 1814.

Sam Houston and Davy Crockett, future legendary heroes, played minor roles in the war against the Creeks.

--Brock-Perry

West Florida's William King-- Part 2: Military Governor

William King was with Andrew Jackson during his controversial invasion of the Spanish colony of West Florida and occupation of Pensacola. Jackson interpreted the surrender of the Spanish governor there as giving the United States control over all of West Florida.

 Jackson then appointed King as the military governor and charged him with enforcing Spanish laws and protecting Spanish people and property.  In addition, King oversaw the dispersal of Tennessee and Kentucky militia.

However, Jackson's invasion of West Florida was a serious threat to U.S. negotiations with Spain to get all of Florida and President James Monroe wanted West Florida restored to Spanish control as soon as possible.  King served at his post until relieved by Edmund P. Gaines.

William Gaines was discharged from the Army in June 1821 and died in January 1826.

Fort King in Florida was named for him.

--Brock-Perry

Edward P. Gaines-- Part 3: Battle of Fort Erie and Indian Affairs

At the Siege of Fort Erie, he was in command on 15 August 1814 when the British assault was repulsed at the First Battle of Fort Erie.  For this he was awarded the Thanks of Congress, the Congressional Gold Medal and brevet-promoted to the rank of major general.

However, he was wounded by an artillery shell at the battle and replaced by General Isaac Brown.

Upon recovery, he was given command of Military District No. 6.  At the war's end, he was sent to deal with the Creek Indians in Georgia and Florida which is where he got involved with Negro Fort.

Gainesville, Florida, home of the University of Florida and Fort Gaines on Dauphin Island in Mobile Bay, were named after him.

--Brock-Perry

Edmund P. Gaines-- Part 1

From Wikipedia.

I mentioned that Gen. Edmund P. Gaines ordered Duncan Clinch to attack Negro Fort which resulted in the July 27, 1816, battle.

Edmund P. Gaines (March 20, 1777 to June 6, 1849) was an American Army officer who fought in the War of 1812, the Seminole Wars and the Black Hawk War.

Born in Virginia, he enlisted in the Army in 1799 and was a first lieutenant by 1807.  He surveyed the Mississippi Territory and helped lay out the Natchez Trace.  While commander of Fort Stoddert, he arrested Aaron Burr in Wakefield, Alabama.  After that he took leave from the Army and practiced law.

--Brock-Perry

Fort Gadsden-- Part 9: The Attack Begins

Slavery was legal in the United States and the existence of a fort manned by blacks so close to the U.S. border was viewed with alarm.

The United States demanded Spain to do something about it, but it was not done fast enough and Major General Edmund P. Gaines was authorized to take care of the fort.  He placed Lt. Col. Duncan L. Church in command of the operation who moved down from Fort Gaines in Georgia to a site near the Florida border where he built a new stockade called Camp Crawford, whose name was later changed to Fort Scott.

He left there in July 1816 with a force of 112 soldiers from the 4th U.S. Infantry which was reinforced by several hundred Creek Indians led by Major William McIntosh, a Coueta chief who had fought alongside Andrew Jackson in the Creek War.

Upon arrival at Negro Fort, surrender was demanded and promptly refused.  The attack began July 27, 1816.  Clinch was assisted by U.S. navy Gunboats #149 and #154.

--Brock-Perry

Fort Gadsden-- Part 5: A Threat to Slavery

Negro Fort was seen as a threat to Southern slavery being that close to the Georgia border.  The U.S. considered it "a center of hostility and above all a threat to the security of their slaves."

The Savannah Journal lamented the existence of the fort and mentioned that several area slaves had run away to it.

The U.S. built Fort Scott in southern Georgia to guard against this threat.  Andrew Jackson decided it would be easier to supply the fort by going up the Apalachicola River, despite the fact that it was in Spanish territory.  On July 17, 1816, a U.S. naval force attempted tp go up the Apalachicola, but was turned back by cannon fire from Negro Fort.  Four U.S. soldiers were killed.

Ten days later an enraged Andrew Jackson ordered Brig. General Edmund P. Gaines at Fort Scott to destroy Negro Fort.  American troops along with Creek Indians, who were promised to receive whatever they wanted from the fort arrived at the fort and after a series of skirmishes began an all out attack under the command of Lt. Col. Duncan Clinch with naval support from Sailing Master James Loomis.

--Brock-Perry

Gaines Takes Command at Fort Erie, HMS Magnet Blown Up to Prevent Capture

AUGUST 5, 1814:  U.S. Brigadier General Edmund P. Gaines takes command from the wounded Major General Jacob Brown at Fort Erie, Upper Canada, then under British siege after the Battle of Lundy's Lane..

On Lake Ontario, Lt. George Hawksworth drives the HMS Magnet ashore and blows it up to avoid captured by Commodore Isaac Chauncey's American squadron.  The U.S. had superiority on the lake at the time.

--Brock-Perry