Edward Baynes (1768–1829), was an officer in the British Army. He served, mainly in staff roles, during the French Revolutionary Wars and Napoleonic Wars. However, he is best known for serving as one of the principal staff officers in British North America during the War of 1812 between Britain and the United States of America. Early career He entered the army as an Ensign in 1783. During his early military career, he served mainly in the West Indies, including a spell as commander of a detachment of troops serving as marines aboard a frigate. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1790. Craig's aide-de-camp Between 1794 and 1806 he served as aide-de-camp to Lieutenant General Sir James Craig, whose duties as military commander and colonial administrator took him to the Cape of Good Hope, Bengal, the East Indies, Gibraltar, Malta, Naples and Sicily. Baynes was promoted to the substantive rank of captain in 1795, to brevet major in 1796, to the substantive rank of major in 1800 and to brevet lieutenant colonel in 1802. Baynes returned briefly to England in 1806. In August, he was appointed adjutant general to the forces in British North America. He was also appointed commanding officer of the Nova Scotia Fencibles. As adjutant general, Baynes was once more associated with General Sir James Craig, who was governor general until 1811. War of 1812 Baynes was promoted to brevet colonel in 1811. As war with the United States threatened, he was appointed commander of the Glengarry Light Infantry, a new unit being raised on the authority of Sir George Prévost, Craig's replacement as governor general. Baynes exerted himself to recruit men to the new unit and to clothe and equip them. He wrote to Prévost on 20 May 1812, "...I have purchased all the green cloth in this place (Quebec) and have commissioned a sufficient quantity to equip the regiment to render it efficient for immediate service. I have, of course, subjected myself to many bad debts. If I am not appointed colonel, I am half ruined." Baynes was indeed appointed as the new regiment's colonel, though he did not lead it in the field. Before and during the War of 1812, Baynes was responsible for communicating Prévost's strategy and orders to the commanders in the field. In July 1812, Prévost was notified that the British Government had revoked some of the orders in council which the