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The Gallant General: Hugh Mercer's Revolutionary Path

An academic exploration of the life, service, and sacrifice of a pivotal Scottish-born brigadier general in the Continental Army during the American Revolution.

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Early Life and Education

Scottish Roots

Born on January 16, 1726, in Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, Hugh Mercer hailed from a family of modest means, with his father serving as a minister in the Church of Scotland. His early life was shaped by the rugged landscape and traditions of his homeland.

Medical Training

Mercer pursued a rigorous course of study in medicine at Marischal College, University of Aberdeen, graduating as a physician in 1744. This academic foundation would serve him well throughout his life, both in civilian practice and military service.

Jacobite Uprising

At the age of 20, Mercer became involved in the Jacobite rising of 1745, serving as an assistant surgeon in the army of Charles Edward Stuart. His participation led him to the fateful Battle of Culloden in April 1746, a decisive defeat for the Jacobite cause.

Emigration to America

Following the failed uprising, Mercer found himself a fugitive. In 1747, he made the momentous decision to flee Scotland, sailing to the Province of Pennsylvania. He settled near Greencastle, establishing a medical practice as both a physician and apothecary, serving the frontier communities for eight years.

Service on the Frontier

French and Indian War

The outbreak of the French and Indian War in 1754 saw Mercer join the Pennsylvania Provincial Forces. He served with distinction, notably participating in General Edward Braddock's ill-fated expedition to capture Fort Duquesne in 1755. Despite being wounded in the arm during the engagement, Mercer demonstrated remarkable resilience, rejoining his troops to tend to the wounded.

Friendship with Washington

During this period, Mercer's military career intersected with that of George Washington. Both men served in the provincial forces, forging a close friendship that would prove significant in the years to come. Mercer's later move to Fredericksburg, Virginia, was at Washington's recommendation.

Fortifications and Expeditions

Mercer's service included commanding garrisons at various frontier posts, such as Fort Shirley and Fort Morris. He participated in the Kittanning Expedition in 1756, an arduous campaign that tested his endurance and leadership. Later, during the Forbes Expedition, he helped construct temporary fortifications near the site of the future Fort Pitt, informally known as "Mercer's Fort."

The Revolutionary Crucible

Life in Fredericksburg

Following the French and Indian War, Mercer established himself in Fredericksburg, Virginia. He became a respected businessman, physician, and apothecary, even purchasing Ferry Farm, George Washington's childhood home. He also formed a notable friendship with John Paul Jones during this period.

Call to Arms

As tensions escalated towards revolution, Mercer became active in local committees of safety. Despite initial exclusion from leadership roles in the new regiments due to his Scottish origin, his commitment led to his election as Colonel of the Minute Men for several counties. In January 1776, he was appointed colonel of the 3rd Virginia Regiment.

Brigadier General

In June 1776, the Second Continental Congress recognized Mercer's capabilities by appointing him a brigadier general in the Continental Army. He was ordered to report immediately to General Washington's headquarters in New York, marking his formal entry into the highest ranks of the nascent American military.

Strategic Defense

Mercer played a role in the New York and New Jersey campaign, overseeing the construction of Fort Lee on the New Jersey side of the Hudson River. Following the loss of Fort Washington and the subsequent retreat across New Jersey, a period known as the "Crisis of the Revolution," Mercer's leadership was vital in maintaining morale.

Sacrifice at Princeton

The Battle of Princeton

On January 3, 1777, during the pivotal Battle of Princeton, Mercer led a vanguard of 350 soldiers. His brigade engaged British forces near an orchard grove. Mercer's horse was shot out from under him, and he was surrounded by enemy soldiers who mistook him for General Washington, demanding his surrender.

Mortal Wounds

Despite the odds, Mercer resisted, drawing his saber. He was ultimately overwhelmed, sustaining seven bayonet wounds and severe blows to the head. Left for dead on the battlefield, his courage in the face of overwhelming force became legendary.

The Mercer Oak

Legend holds that Mercer, even while gravely wounded, refused to be moved from the battlefield, wishing to remain with his men. He was reportedly propped against the trunk of a white oak tree, which subsequently became known as the "Mercer Oak," a symbol of his sacrifice and a motif in the seal of Mercer County, New Jersey.

Final Days

Mercer was carried to the Thomas Clarke House, serving as a field hospital. Dr. Benjamin Rush, a signatory of the Declaration of Independence, attended to Mercer and other wounded soldiers. Despite their efforts, Mercer succumbed to his wounds nine days later, on January 12, 1777, at the age of 50.

Enduring Legacy

Impact on the Revolution

Mercer's valiant stand and subsequent death at Princeton significantly impacted the morale and strategic direction of the Continental Army. His sacrifice, alongside the victory at Trenton, bolstered the resolve of Washington's forces, leading to crucial re-enlistments and securing vital support from France, ultimately turning the tide of the war.

Notable Descendants

The Mercer lineage continued to produce distinguished individuals. His descendants include prominent figures such as his grandson, Virginia governor John Mercer Patton, and further down the line, the celebrated songwriter Johnny Mercer and the renowned General George S. Patton Jr., linking his legacy to significant American achievements in arts and military leadership.

Hugh Mercer's family tree includes notable figures across various fields:

  • Son: Hugh Tennant Mercer
  • Grandson: John Mercer Patton (Governor of Virginia)
  • Great-Grandson: George S. Patton Sr.
  • Great-Great-Grandson: General George S. Patton Jr. (World War II Commander)
  • Other Descendant: Johnny Mercer (Award-winning Songwriter)

Honors and Memorials

Artistic Depictions

Mercer's final moments have been immortalized in art. John Trumbull's painting, The Death of General Mercer at the Battle of Princeton, January 3, 1777, captures the dramatic scene, with Mercer's son serving as the model for his likeness. Charles Willson Peale's work, Washington at the Battle of Princeton, also features Mercer prominently among the wounded.

Places Named in His Honor

Numerous places and institutions bear Mercer's name, reflecting his enduring significance. These include Fort Mercer, several counties across the United States (Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia), towns such as Mercer, Maine, and Mercer, Pennsylvania, and educational institutions like Mercer Hall at the University of Mary Washington.

Monuments and Gravesite

Mercer was initially interred in Philadelphia's Christ Church Burial Ground. In 1840, his remains were reinterred in Laurel Hill Cemetery, where a monument funded by the Saint Andrew's Society commemorates his service. The Mercer Memorial Statue in Fredericksburg, Virginia, stands as a testament to his local roots and national impact.

References

Cited Works

The information presented here is drawn from scholarly and historical sources, providing a foundation for understanding General Hugh Mercer's contributions.

  1. Note this image of General Hugh Mercer (1726-1777) is erroneously labeled as Nova Scotia Governor Peregrine Hopson in the
  2. General Hugh Mercer, January 16, 1726 - January 12, 1777. www.americanhistorycentral.com. R.Squared Communication, LLC. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  3. Goolrick 1906, p. 12.
  4. Goolrick 1906, p. 13.
  5. Goolrick 1906, p. 14.
  6. Hugh Mercer. www.battlefields.org. American Battlefield Trust. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  7. Goolrick 1906, p. 23.
  8. MacDougall, Donald John (1917). Scots and Scots' Descendants in America, Volume 1. Caledonian Publishing Company. pp. 39–40. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  9. The Tale of Two Mercers. www.battlefields.org. American Battlefield Trust. September 6, 2017. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  10. Lossing, John Benson. Potter's American Monthly; an illustrated magazine of history, literature, science, and art. Philadelphia: John E. Potter and Company. p. 70. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  11. Goolrick 1906, p. 26.
  12. Goolrick 1906, p. 27.
  13. Goolrick 1906, p. 28.
  14. Robert Robison, "Colonel J. Armstrong's Attack on the Kittaning", in A Selection of some of the most interesting narratives of outrages committed by the Indians in their wars with the white people, Archibald Loudon, ed. Carlisle: A. Loudon Press, 1811
  15. Goolrick 1906, pp. 28–29.
  16. Lorant, Stefan (1999). Pittsburgh, The Story of an American City. Larsen's Outdoor Publishing. p. 103. ISBN 978-0967410302.
  17. Stotz, Charles Morse. Drums in the Forest: Decision at the Forks, Defense in the Wilderness. University of Pittsburgh Pre, 2005.
  18. Goolrick 1906, p. 30.
  19. Goolrick 1906, pp. 105–106.
  20. Goolrick 1906, p. 31.
  21. "Hugh Mercer Apothecary". APVA Preservation Virginia. Archived from the original on March 6, 2008. Retrieved March 4, 2008.
  22. Levy, Philip (2013). Where the Cherry Tree Grew, The Story of Ferry Farm, George Washington's Boyhood Home. Macmillan. p. 85. ISBN 978-1-2500-2314-8.
  23. Goolrick 1906, p. 40.
  24. Goolrick 1906, p. 42.
  25. Goolrick 1906, pp. 41–42.
  26. Goolrick 1906, p. 38.
  27. Goolrick 1906, pp. 45–47.
  28. Goolrick 1906, pp. 47–48.
  29. Kwasny 1996, p. 72.
  30. Kwasny 1996, p. 83.
  31. Kwasny 1996, pp. 84–85.
  32. Morris, Ira K. (1898). Morris's Memorial History of Staten Island, New York, Volume 1. New York: Memorial Publishing Company. pp. 219–220. ISBN 978-1-5485-8202-9. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
  33. Goolrick 1906, pp. 48–49.
  34. Stryker, William S. (1898). The Battles of Trenton and Princeton. Boston: Houghton, Mifflin and Company. p. 304.
  35. Kwasny 1996, pp. 103–104.
  36. Mark Mayo Boatner (1975). Landmarks of the American Revolution: a guide to locating and knowing what happened at the sites of independence. Hawthorn Books. p. 207. ISBN 9780801543906.
  37. Atkinson, Rick (2019). The British Are Coming: The War for America, Lexington to Princeton, 1775-1777. Henry Holt and Company. ISBN 978-1-62779-044-4. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
  38. Yaster, Carol; Wolgemuth, Rachel (2017). Laurel Hill Cemetery. Charleston, South Carolina: Arcadia Publishing. p. 25. ISBN 978-1-4671-2655-7. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  39. Fischer, David Hackett (2006). Washington's Crossing. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-518159-X.
  40. "Hugh Mercer, Jr. (Study for "The Death of General Mercer at the Battle of Princeton, January 3, 1777")". The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
  41. "Site of Moulder's Battery". Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved November 2, 2008.
  42. Lowe, Christopher. "Descendant of a north-east born American war hero returns for Fraserburgh exhibit". The Press and Journal. Archived from the original on November 1, 2013. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  43. "The Crossing (TV Movie 2000)". www.imdb.com. IMDb.com, Inc. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  44. "The Official Page For The Music of Hamilton: The Musical". Archived from the original on October 4, 2015.
  45. Marilla Thomas, Leah (March 10, 2024). "The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Recap: Follow Your Bliss, Rick". Vulture.
  46. "Hugh Mercer's Fredericksburg". www.battlefields.org. American Battlefield Trust. October 3, 2017. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  47. Gannett, Henry (1905). The origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office. p. 205. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  48. "The Register of the Kentucky State Historical Society, Volume 1". Kentucky State Historical Society. 1903. p. 36.
  49. "Genealogical and Personal Memorial of Mercer County New Jersey". New York: The Lewis Publishing Company. 1907. p. 128. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  50. "Historic Buildings of the University of Mary Washington". www.buildings.umwblogs.org. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  51. "Maine an Encyclopedia - Mercer". www.maineanencyclopedia.com. Publius Research. January 21, 2012. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
  52. Feirstein, Sanna (2001). Naming New York: Manhattan Places & How They Got Their Names. New York: New York University Press. p. 70. ISBN 0-8147-2711-5. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  53. "Trenton Historical Society, New Jersey".
  54. Kenny, Hamill (1945). West Virginia Place Names: Their Origin and Meaning, Including the Nomenclature of the Streams and Mountains. Piedmont, WV: The Place Name Press. p. 410.

Key Figures and Events

Key Individuals

Understand the roles of figures like George Washington, Charles Edward Stuart, Benjamin Rush, and notable descendants such as George S. Patton Jr. and Johnny Mercer.

Pivotal Events

Focus on critical moments: the Battle of Culloden, Braddock's Expedition, the French and Indian War, the Battles of Trenton and Princeton, and the broader context of the American Revolutionary War.

Geographical Significance

Note the importance of locations such as Pitsligo, Scotland; Pennsylvania; Fredericksburg, Virginia; and the battlefields of New Jersey.

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References

References

  1.  Stotz, Charles Morse. Drums in the Forest: Decision at the Forks, Defense in the Wilderness. University of Pittsburgh Pre, 2005.
A full list of references for this article are available at the Hugh Mercer Wikipedia page

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