Revolutionary War Continental Brigadier General. Studied medicine in Scotland. Fought at the Battle of Culloden in Prince Charles Edward's army in 1746. Settled in America after the end of the Scottish conflict. Served as a Captain in the Pennsylvania Regiment during the French and Indian War, participating in Edward Braddock's unsuccessful 1755 expedition. Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, and served in General Forbes's Fort Duquesne 1758 expedition. Promoted Colonel and placed in command of Fort Pitt. Later settled in Fredericksburg, Virginia. At the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, he was made Colonel of the 3rd Virginia Infantry, and then was commissioned Brigadier General in the Continental Army. Named by General Washington to command the "flying camp" mobile militia forces. Participated in all the 1776 battles in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Possibly suggested the December 1776 strike against Trenton, New Jersey, in which he participated. Led a brigade from Trenton to Princeton, where he led an attack to counter a British group of reinforcements. He was felled by a blow to the head and several bayonet wounds. He died of his wounds five days later. Originally buried in the Christ Church Burial Ground in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he was re-buried in the newly opened Laurel Hill Cemetery in 1840. The house where he died now stands on the Princeton Battlefield, and is a National Landmark. A street named for him in Fredericksburg is near the National Civil War Battlefield.
Revolutionary War Continental Brigadier General. Studied medicine in Scotland. Fought at the Battle of Culloden in Prince Charles Edward's army in 1746. Settled in America after the end of the Scottish conflict. Served as a Captain in the Pennsylvania Regiment during the French and Indian War, participating in Edward Braddock's unsuccessful 1755 expedition. Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, and served in General Forbes's Fort Duquesne 1758 expedition. Promoted Colonel and placed in command of Fort Pitt. Later settled in Fredericksburg, Virginia. At the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, he was made Colonel of the 3rd Virginia Infantry, and then was commissioned Brigadier General in the Continental Army. Named by General Washington to command the "flying camp" mobile militia forces. Participated in all the 1776 battles in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Possibly suggested the December 1776 strike against Trenton, New Jersey, in which he participated. Led a brigade from Trenton to Princeton, where he led an attack to counter a British group of reinforcements. He was felled by a blow to the head and several bayonet wounds. He died of his wounds five days later. Originally buried in the Christ Church Burial Ground in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he was re-buried in the newly opened Laurel Hill Cemetery in 1840. The house where he died now stands on the Princeton Battlefield, and is a National Landmark. A street named for him in Fredericksburg is near the National Civil War Battlefield.
Inscription
DEDICATED TO THE
MEMORY OF
GENERAL HUGH MERCER
WHO FELL FOR THE
SACRED CAUSE OF
HUMAN LIBERTY AND
AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE
IN THE BATTLE OF
PRINCETON
HE POURED OUT HIS
BLOOD FOR A
GENEROUS PRINCIPLE
Gravesite Details
General Mercer was originally buried at Christ Church Yard in Philadelphia. Remains were exhumed and re-interred at Laurel Hill on 24 Nov 1840.
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