Fans of Outlander will instantly recognize the unusual connection this first patriot has with the main protagonists of the beloved books and TV series. A brawny, hot-headed Scot with fiery passion meets a cool, calculating medical professional who confronts the British across two continents. Yet in this case, they are combined in one person—Hugh Mercer, a man who carved a path from the streets of Aberdeen to the bloody fields of Culloden, through the war-torn mountains of Pennsylvania and the frozen farmlands of New Jersey.
 |
| General Hugh Mercer |
The Streets of Aberdeen
Hugh Mercer was born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, in 1725 to Reverend William Mercer, a Church of Scotland minister, and Ann Monro. He graduated from the University of Aberdeen with a medical degree in 1744. That year, he joined the Jacobite army of Prince Charles Edward, the Pretender, and served as an assistant surgeon during the disastrous engagement at Culloden in April 1746. He escaped the massacre that followed the battle, and after months on the run, fled to America.
Country Doctor
The young surgeon, a war veteran and fugitive, settled in present-day Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, to practice as a physician. When the French and Indian War broke out in 1755, he set aside his eight years of comfortable medical practice and offered his services to the provincial forces, participating in several notable actions.
Another Massacre
On the western frontier of Pennsylvania, Mercer helped treat the survivors of General Braddock’s destruction on the Monongahela River. Appalled by the butchery suffered by the wounded, Mercer put aside his disdain for the crown and joined Britain’s struggle for America.
Punitive Expedition
In September 1756, the newly appointed captain accompanied Colonel John Armstrong on his punitive expedition against the Indian villages at Kittanning and was severely wounded. Cut off, he survived on his own for two weeks, wandering over 100 miles before reaching the friendly outpost at Fort Shirley. His devotion and gallantry were recognized.
 |
| Mercer served under Col John Armstrong in western Pennsylvania raid |
Fort Duquesne
Two years later, he fought as a lieutenant colonel during the capture of Fort Duquesne (renamed Fort Pitt, now Pittsburgh) and subsequently commanded the fort. Mercer's first task was to construct a temporary fort to hold the two forks of the Ohio in case the French returned from the northwest. During this campaign, Mercer met and befriended Colonel George Washington of the Virginia Regiment. It would be an enduring friendship.
The Old Dominion
The war ended in 1763, and because he had made friends with several Virginians, he decided to settle in a small port town with a small community of Scottish ex-pats. Though Mercer arrived in Fredericksburg to establish a medical practice, he found much more. The town filled a void that had been present since he fled his homeland.
 |
| Mercer opened an Apothecary in his adopted town of Fredericksburg |
First Mother's Physician
In addition to practicing medicine, Mercer opened an apothecary in town. Like many settlers, he purchased land. He served as a physician to George Washington’s mother, Mary Ball Washington, and acquired the Ferry Farm from her as his family homestead.
 |
| One of Mercer's celebrated patients was Mary Ball Washington |
Civic Leader
He became active in local issues in town and was a prominent businessman. Along the way, he joined the Masonic lodge, which included Washington and many other prominent Virginians. To say he was at last comfortable with life is an understatement. But he would soon leave his comfort to follow the drum one last time.
 |
| Mercer, George Washington, and numerous founders belonged to the Fredericksburg Masonic Lodge |
The Minuteman
By 1775, the tensions between Britain and its colonies in North America had evolved from resistance to insurgency and ultimately to war. It was only natural that the bold freedom-lover Mercer would throw in his lot with the glorious cause and face his former enemies once more. He became a member of the Fredericksburg Committee of Safety. In September, Mercer was named commander of all Minuteman companies in the four counties around Fredericksburg.
 |
| Virginia Minutemen |
The Continental
In January 1776, his talents were once more recognized. Virginia’s provincial congress appointed him a colonel in the 3rd Virginia Continental Line. He set to work drilling it into a crack unit, but that command was short-lived. His old friend and comrade in arms, George Washington, was now commander in chief of the new Continental Army. Mercer enjoyed a fine military reputation, so Washington petitioned the Continental Congress to appoint him brigadier general that June.
 |
| Mercer commanded a Continental Line regiment but was quickly promoted to the rank of Brigadier General |
Flying Camp Days
Washington promptly assigned him to lead the so-called Flying Camp, a mobile military reserve. He attempted to utilize it to support the main army during the New York campaign, but the unit suffered from desertions, manpower shortages, and supply issues. The Flying Camp was disbanded that winter.
 |
| Fort Lee before evacuation |
Battle Across the Jerseys
Mercer was also tasked with building what became Fort Lee on the New Jersey side of the North (Hudson) River. Although the fort fell without a fight during the British invasion of the Jerseys in late 1776, Mercer still enjoyed Washington’s complete confidence. He played a prominent role during the daring and masterful counter-stroke at Trenton on 26 December 1776, His brigade played a prominent role in driving the Hessian garrison out of the town where they were forced to surrender in a nearby field.
 |
| Mercer commanded a brigade at the crucial assault on the Hessian garrison at Trenton |
Escape from Assunpink
The Americans eventually moved to Assunpink Creek to wait for the inevitable British counter-stroke by a column of about 5,000 troops led by Major General Charles Earl Cornwallis. Some say Mercer may have suggested the famous ruse of leaving fires burning. Regardless, the British were fooled when the Americans slipped away into the night, got behind Cornwallis’s column, and launched an attack Princeton.
 |
| After repulsing Cornwallis's columns at Assunpink Creek the Americans slipped away in the night |
Advance on Princeton
On 3 January 1777, Mercer, leading the advance corps ahead of the main body, encountered a brigade of about 1200 British regulars under Lieutenant Colonel Charles Mawhood of the 17th Regiment of Foot. A fierce exchange of volleys erupted near Stony Brook Bridge. Instead of retreating under the pressure of the redcoats, the imposing Scot charged into battle against the better-trained British. However, his troops were forced back after intense fighting.
 |
| Mawhood's brigade was all that stood between Mercer and Princeton |
Clash and Flurry of Blades
While attempting to rally his men, Mercer was shot off his horse. Refusing to surrender, he drew his saber but was overpowered and bayoneted several times by enraged British soldiers (who may have thought he was Washington). Fatally wounded, he was then carried to the nearby home of Thomas Clarke, where a British surgeon's mate and some local women cared for him. When Washington learned his fate, he reached out to Cornwallis, who graciously allowed Washington’s leading physician, Dr. Benjamin Rush, to attend to the dying general.
 |
| British bayonets mortally wounded the gallant Scot turned Yankee |
Final Home
The gallant soldier-surgeon Mercer lingered but ultimately succumbed to his wounds on 12 January 1776. His body was taken to Philadelphia for burial. Had Mercer survived, he would have undoubtedly played an even more significant role in securing America's freedom. However, the greater tragedy is that this educated and dedicated soldier-surgeon never had the opportunity to help build the nation whose liberty was paid for by his blood.
 |
| Gen Hugh Mercer's grave |
