The National tribune., 1907-02-07

Royal forces in that campaign, and a
strange fate was to bring these two
near together in distant land, where
Braddock was to lay down his life un-
der defeat, and Mercer, later, to die as
one of Washington's most trusted Cen
erals.
Hundreds of the survivors of Cullo-
den sought safety in other lands. many
finding homes in North and South Car
DINA, in Virginia, New Jersey and
Pennsylvnia. Among the latter was
DR.. Mercer, who landed in PHILADELPHIA
In the Fall of 1746. How long he re-
manned in this city is unknown, but he
soon pushed out into Franklin County
and settled near the present town of
Mercersburg, so named later in his
honor, and there he entered into prac-
tice as physician. His past expert
ence and evident ability, later developed
az general officer, pointed to him as
man needed in the organization Of
the Provincial troops required for pro-
lection against Indian assaults on their
homes
On the BraddOcI Campaign.
When Gen. Edward Braddock start
ed on his campaign against the French
and Indians at Fort DuQuesne. 1855.
Capt Mercer with his company formed
part of his army.
Braddock was a brave and expert
enced officer, but he had commanded
only well-drilled British soldiers. and
he treated with undisguised contempt
the advice of such campaigners against
the Indians as Capt. Washington and
others of the Provincial troops, who
thought they knew bette- than he. from
their experiences, how to meet the willy
red men.
The then President Of the st. An
drew's Society, Deputy-Governor Rob-
I-1I rsry<yr oil IL
BILE assistance to Braddock in the prep
arations for the campaign, and DR..
Franklin was specially deputed to go
into the country and secure horses,
wagons and provisions.
The result of the campaign Is well
known-a terrible rout with loss of life
and of the materials of war. Among
the wounded was Capt. Mercer. and in
the confusion incident to disorderly
retreat. Mercer became separated from
his men, and. as the Hon. William B.
Reed stated in his Grafton on the re-
interment of Gen. Mercer In this city,
with no other guidance than that
which nature gives to the solitary wan
derer-the stars of heaven and the
Winter garb of the forest; alone, faint
with the loss of blood, and with a
shattered arm, after reposing for a
few hours on the field of recent con-
flict. he commenced his desolate pill
grimage. For days and weeks did he
wander through the forest, dependent
for sustenance on its roots and berries,
until at last, striking the waters of .he
Potomac, lie was enabled, when ex-
hausted nature seemed just about 20
sink. to reach Fort Cumberland"
Two years later, Mercer promoted
to Lieutenant-Colonel, accompanied
another expedition to Fort DuQuesne,
under Gen. Forbes. at was on this
expedition that he became acquainted
with Washington. then a Colonel In
the Virginia line, an acquaintance
which soon ripened into intimacy, and
| exercised so vast an influence on his
subsequent career" The campaign
was entirely successful, and Col Mer-
Ger was honored with the command of
that post, but, as Washington explained
in a letter of December, 1858. 'the
want of provisions rendered 1t impos-
sible to leave more than 200 men in all,
| and these must, I fear, abandon the
place or perish" They were miserably
equipped, but Mercer maintained the
post and remained with the garrison
until relieved, when he retired from
the service and, having permanently
fixed his residence at Fredericksburg:
in Virginia. resumed the practice of
his profession.
Among the First in the Revolution.
The battle Of Lexington was fought
April 19, 1775, and only six days later
a letter was sent to Col. Washington,
the acknowledged leader of the Virginia
forces, signed by Hugh Mercer, George
Weedon. Alexander Spotswood and
John Willis, reciting the then condl-
| tions and the need for meeting them.
| THE letter ended, at is proposed 70
march from hence on SATURDAY next