The National tribune., 1907-02-07

for Williamsburg, properly accoutred
as light horsemen. Expresses are sent
off to inform the commanding officers
in the adjacent Counties of our resolu-
tion and we shall wait prepared for
your instructions and their assistance
There was no hesitation or uncertain
sound in this.
chosen Commander-in-Ch Chief, and early
in the following year, the American
army being In the vicinity of New
York, Col. Mercer was commissioned
Brigadier-General. by Congress, pre-.
sumably upon the recommendation OIL
Washington.
The first campaign in which Mercer
participated was crowned with Incl
denta Of high interest. 1.-The battle on
Long Island, the retreat to New YORK,
the evacuation of that city contrary to
the advice of Mercer, the battle OF
White Plains, the fall of Fort WASH
ington, the projected attack on Staten
Island, confided to Mercer. were the
prominent incidents of this eventfui
period. Throughout it all Mercer was
in active service under the immediate
order of the Commander-in-Ch 70
whose affections he was closely en-
deared."
The story Of the critical conditions
preceding the coming victory of -Tren-
ton and Princeton are told in many
books. and need not be here detailed.
The most complete account OF this
movement is probably that in Gen. w.
s STRIKERS "Battles Of Trenton and
Princeton"
In the Advance ON Trenton.
When the left wing Of the army un-
der Washington crossed the Delaware
in a terrible Winter storm. in the clos
ing week of 1875, MERGERS Brigade was
assigned to sweep through Trenton and
forward to Princeton. The troops or
Lord Stirling (who claimed to be a de-
scendent of noted Scotch family)
were assigned to MERGERS command.
On January 3, 1877. they were face to
face with the British, and fighting be-
gan at short range. MERGERS men We're
mainly green troops, and were but
poorly equipped to meet bayonet
charge of British regulars. consequent
ly Mercer's line was quickly broken,
the men at first retiring in much con-
fusion Washington, closely following
with other troops to MERGERS assist
ance, rallied the flying men by his per-
sonal example. and soon the retreat
was changed to a grand victory, for
ever establishing Washington's fame as
General.
aIortally Wounded and Captured.
Gen. Mercer's horse was shot, and
he fell with his horse: quickly regain
ing his feet he manfully sought to rally
his men, but at that instant he was
surrounded by a detachment of the
enemy, who thought they had captured
the "Rebel General" Washington. They
called to him to surrender, but with
somewhat reckless courage under the
circumstances, he refused and sought
with his sword to fight his way out.
when he was struck from behind by a
blow with the butt of musket and
was knocked down, receiving no less
than seven bayonet wounds in his body,
in addition to two wounds in the head.
Gen Mercer was cared for as well as
possible on the field by DR.. Moses Scott,
Surgeon Second Regiment, Middlesea
County, N. J., but he suffered intensely
from the cold and from his wounds,
and he was then moved into the house
of Thomas Clark. by whom and his
family (Friends) he was tenderly cared
for.
His faithful Aid, Maj. John Arm
strong, whose father Gone of the old
Covenanters) had served in previous
campaigns with Gen. Mercer, accom-
panied the General to the house. On
hearing the noise of the moving Brit
ish outside, Gen. Mercer peremptorily
OTueTeu AE1lSlloH " iCtuih " thS
troops. telling him every man was need
ed at his post.
On the 4th Of January Washington
| learned that Mercer was not dead, as
first reported. and he sent DR.. Benjamin
Rush, then Philadelphia's most famous
surgeon, and serving on Washington's
staff, with Capt. George Lewis, who
commanded a detachment at Washing
tons headquarters, under a flag of
with q letter fO Lord C0rnw3 His
asking permission for them to remain
and attend to Gen. Mercer. This re-
quest was promptly granted, and on
January DR.. Rush reported Mercer
much better, and anticipated his speedy
recovery In a letter written by DR..
Rush and quoted in Gen. Stryker's ''The
Battles of Trenton and Princeton" he
said Mercer received seven wounds In
the body and two in his head, and was
much bruised by the breach of mus
ket His life was yesterday almost de-
SPARED Of but this morning 1 found
him much relieved, and some of the
most dangerous complaints removed, SO
that I still have hopes of his recovery
and of his being again restored to the
arms of a grateful country. He is now
a prisoner on parole"
A Surgeon on the staff of Lord Corn
wallis agreed with DR.. Rush that he
did not think the wounds dangerous,
but Gen. Mercer called attention to a
bayonet wound under his right arm
which would surely cause his death.
And so it resulted His wounds bled
profusely, for the blood passed through
his bed and stained the floor, where
the marks can be seen to this day. He
fingered in much pain until the morn
ing of Jan. IL. 1777, and then expired
in the arms of his devoted companion,
Capt. Lewis.
The Price of Liberty.
This was the price a gallant soldier,
born in Bonnie Scotland, paid for love
of the country of his adoption. Prince
| ton turned the tide of war, the preeed-
| ing gloom cast over the Colonies was
dispelled and a new Nation was born.
AS Mr.. Reed aptly expressed the
thought, "The flag of the Nation is the
shroud of the Nations heroes. Its
happy stars shine brightly Ger their