FURST, Moritz: USA, 1814, Bronze, 65 mm
Obv: Bust of General Gaines (r) MAJOR GENERAL EDMUND P.
GAINES.
Rev: Trophy of enemy’s arms and cannon, labeled ERIE,
crowned by Victory who stands upon a fallen British shield
RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS NOVEMBER 3. 1814.
Exergue: BATTLE OF ERIE AUG. 15, 1814.
Signed: FURST F.
Mintage: 125 struck from the original dies which were cut by
Furst in 1821. Inscriptions were punched into the dies in 1822.
One of a series of medals by Furst relating to the War of 1812.*
Ref: Julian 125/ MI-13; Neuzil 15; Loubat 226/44; see
Jaeger and Bowers 54/43
Edmund Pendleton Gaines (1777-1849) entered the army as ensign of
the infantry in 1799, and advanced through the ranks to become
brigadier general in 1814. He distinguished himself in the battle of
Erie, August 15, 1814 where he was badly wounded. For his services
on this occasion he was breveted major general on September 14, 1814
and Congress gave him a vote of thanks and a gold medal. He served
in Florida in the Seminole war and in Georgia in the Creek war. He
was also commander of the southern and afterward of the western
military districts.
The Battle of Erie (the event commemorated by
this medal) pitted the forces commanded by General Gaines against
the British forces in the Peninsula of Upper Canada, commanded by
Lieutenant General Drummond. The Americans held the position on the
margin of the lake, at the entrance of the Niagara river, near a
small unfinished fort, Erie. It terminated in a victory in favor of
the united American forces with about 600 of the enemy killed or
wounded and fewer, though considerable, losses to the American
forces. (From Loubat)
* The War of 1812 is one of the forgotten wars of
the United States. The war lasted for over two years, and while it
ended much like it started, in stalemate, it was in fact a war that
once and for all confirmed American Independence. The offensive
actions of the United States failed in every attempt to capture
Canada. On the other hand, the British army was successfully stopped
when it attempted to capture Baltimore and New Orleans. There were a
number of American naval victories in which American vessels proved
themselves superior to similarly sized British vessels. These
victories coming after victories in the Quasi War (an even more
forgotten war) launched American naval traditions. (From
historycentral.com)
