The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1839-11-12
HHESCEHNA NEIOU us.
THE BATTLE OF PRINCETON, AND
DEATH OF GEN. MERCER.

DEATH OF GEN. MERCER.
Communicated for The National HrtcHigcncer
from the Gusts "RecoNections and Pirate
Memoirs Of the Life and Character Of Wash
ington."
The historical records of the War Of The A !.
merriam Revelation are in error as re spects the
death Of General MERCER, who fell at the battle
of Princeton January3, l777. We offer the
homage Of venerution for this martyr IS
memory, by giving to his adopted country and
che world authentic particulars of the heroism
and devotion that attended his fall.
1t was Immediately after the sharp conflict at
the fence between the advanced guard OF the A
nerran army, led by General Mercer, and the
British l7tlI regiment, and the retreat of the A.
mericans through the orchard near TO Clarls'
house and barn. that General Mercer, while ex.
erting himself 10 rally his broken troops, was
brought to the ground by blow from the butt
OF Il musket. He was OH foot at this time
the gray horse he rode at the beginning of the
action having been disabled by ball in the fore
leg. The British soldiers were not at first aware
of the Generals rank, for, the morning being
very cold, ne wore Il surtout over his unorm.-
So as they discovered that he was Il Gen
era officer, they shouted that they had got the
rebel General and cried, "Ca for quarters; YOU
Did rebel ~ Mercer the most undaunted
courage united quick and ardent temperament;
he replied with Indignation to his encaieS,
while their hayonets Were at his bosom, that he
deserved not The nane of rebel and determin-
ing 10 ule us he Ildt1 HNSit, Il uUe anu nORoTeU
soldier of liberty, lounged with his sword at the
nearest man. They then bayoneted him, and
left him for dead
Upon the retreat of the enemy, the wounded
General was conveyed to Clark's house, imme-
dately adjoining the field of battle. The inor.
nation that lthe Commander-n Chief first re.
ceived Of the fall of his old companion in arms
of the war of 1855, and beloved officer, was
that he had expired.u his numerous wounds;
and it was not until the American army was in
full march for Morristown that the Chief was
undeceved, and learned, to his great gratilica.
ton, that Mercer, though fearfully wounded,
yet alive Upon the first bait at Somerset
Court house, Washington dispatched the late
MAJOR George Lewis, his nephew, and Captain
of The Horse Guard, with n flag and letter to
Lord CORVALLIS, requ estng that every possible
attention might be shown to the wounded Gen
eral, and permission that young Lewis should
remain with him to minister to his wants. 10
both requests his Lordship yielded wiling as
sent and ordered his staff surgeon to attend up
on General Mercer. Upon an examination OF
the wounds, the British surgeon remarked that,
although they were many and severe, he was
disposed to believe that they would not prove
dangerous. Mercer, bred 10 the profession of
an army surgeon i'm Europe, said TO young Lew
is "Raise up my right arm, George, and TINS
gentleman will there discover the smallest of
my wounds, but which will prove the most ia
tai. Yes sir that is fellow that will very soon
do my business" lie langpished till the 18th,
and expired in the arms Of Lewis, admired and
iamented by the whole ar my. During the pc.
rod that he lauguished on the couch of suffer-
ing, he eXonerated his enemies fron the foul ac.
cusation which they bore not only in 1777, bn
for half century since viz: of their having
bayoneltetl General officer after he had sur
rendered his sword, and become prisoner OF
Notwithstanding that he only relinquished his
sword when his arm had become powerless to
WELD it. He paid the homage of his whole
heart to the COMMANDMENT Chief rcjoiced with
true soldierly pride in the trunphs of Trenton
and Princeton, in both of which he had horne
conspicuous part, and offered up his fervent
prayers for the final success of the cause of A.
mercan Independence.
Thus lived and died Hugh Mercer, name
that will forever he associated with momenons
events in the history of the War Of the Revou'
ton. When grateful postcriiy shall BID the
rophlcd memorial rise to the martyrs who seal
Ell with their blood the charter of empires
liberties, there will not be wanting a monument
20 hI'n whom Washington mourned as the Wor-
thy and brave Gen. Mercer.
We shall give Il single anecdote of the sub
Ject OF the foregoing memoir, to show the pure
ana hghsouIed principles that actuated the pa.
u!o,s ana soldiers Ct the days of our countrys
=, virginia Mt first organized two regiments for
inc common cause. When it was determined
AZ raise third, here were numerous applica-
rohs Tor commissions and these being mostly
nuli men OF fortune and family interest, there
was scarcely an application for rank less than
d c heI,' officer. During the sitting OF the House
y, burgesses upon this important motion,
pam but sodierly cooking individual banded up
TO me Speakers Chair n scrap of paper, on
winch was written, "Hugh Mercer will serve
Ills adopted country and the cause of liberty IN
any rank or station to which he may be APP
pointed
Ibis, from veteran soldier bred in European
camps, the associate of Washington in the war
VI 1893, and known to stand high in his conf
oehce and esteem, was all sufficient for body
~ patriots and statesmen such composed the
Virginia House of Burgesses in the days of the
revolution. The appointment of Mercer to the
command of the third Virginia regiment was
carried instan,er.
1t was while the Commander in Chief refined
up MS horse, upOn appronchng the spot in a