Gabriel J. Rains

Gabriel J. Rains

Introduction

Gabriel J. Rains was born in June 1803 in the county of Craven in North Carolina. He received his education at West Point, New York, and graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1827. Rains and his younger brother, who was also a general, were responsible for making explosives like landmines, torpedoes and booby traps. They were nicknamed the “bomb brothers.” While Rains developed the land mines, his brother used to make the gunpowder.

Earlier campaigns and use of IEDS

Rains was initially deployed in the infantry upon completion of his graduation as a second-lieutenant. His first military campaign was his service during the Seminole wars in which he fought in the region of Florida. He gained fame for his role in bravely routing an enemy force that was far superior near Fort King. He even received two wounds which were then described as fatal. However, he was to survive these wounds for a much longer time than expected. He received promotion as a captain for his bravery during the war in 1837. In 1840, he was brevetted as a major for his gallantry in Florida. Rains used the booby traps which were loaded with explosives during the Seminole wars. Land torpedoes were used during the war which was both electrically and mechanically fused. After the Seminole wars, mechanical fuses were found to be more reliable.

Rains' next campaign was during the Mexican wars in which he was designated to defend Fort Brown in 1846. When a demand for the surrender of the fort was made by General Pedro De Ampudia, Rains favored defense over surrender during voting in the council of officers. His vote was decisive and he played an important role in the defense of the fort. He served in the battle of Resaca de la Palma after which he was immediately recalled and designated on recruiting duty for the United States. He was quite successful in his new duty in organizing a large number of recruits for the general Winfield's campaign. Receiving promotion as major of regulars in 1851, Rains continued to serve on the Pacific Coast from 1953 till the civil war. He played an active part in the Indian wars and gained fame as a great fighter. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1860, but resigned in 1861 after the organization of the confederate states. He was inducted as a Brigadier general in the confederate army.

Role in civil war

Rains after being commissioned in the confederate army was assigned for commanding one of the brigades by general Magruder. Within a short time he was entrusted the charge of the first division of the army under general Magruder. During the civil war, he led the first division during the battle of Wilson's Creek. He played a significant role in defending Yorktown. He also took part in the battles of Seven Pines, Perryville, Shiloh and Williamsburg. He was wounded as he fought the battle of Seven Pines. However, he still managed to put the ...