James Moore, born in New Hanover, North Carolina, in 1737, was a lineal descendant of the Marquis of Drogheda, Ireland. He was a captain of artillery under Governor Tryon at the defeat of the Regulators at Alamance in 1771, and colonel of the first regiment of North Carolina troops that was raised for the defence of that State. In February, 1776, he was in command of the force a part of which, under Col. John A. Lillington and Col. Richard Caswell, won the first victory in the Revolution, at Moore’s Creek bridge near Wilmington, North Carolina, over fifteen hundred Scotch Tories. For this exploit he was promoted to be brigadier-general, March 1, 1776, made commander-in-chief of the Southern Department, and received the thanks of Congress. His military career, opening with such promise, was of short duration, as he fell a victim to climatic fever, dying on the 15th of January, 1777, at Wilmington, while on his way to join Washington.
BARON DE WOEDTKE.
Frederick William, Baron de Woedtke, born in Prussia about 1740, was for many years an officer in the army of Frederick the Great, where he attained the rank of major. Coming to Philadelphia with strong letters of recommendation to Benjamin Franklin from friends of America in Paris, he received from Congress a commission as brigadier-general in the Continental army on the 16th of March, 1776, and was ordered to join the Northern army under Schuyler. About three weeks before his death he took part in a council of war which decided, against the advice of Stark, Poor, Maxwell, and eighteen inferior officers, to abandon Crown Point and to retire to the strong ground opposite Ticonderoga, afterward known as Mount Independence. He died near Lake George, New York, on the 31st of July, 1776, and was buried with the honors due to his rank.
JOHN WHITCOMB.
John Whitcomb, born in Lancaster, Worcester County, Massachusetts, in 1720, served with distinction in the French and Indian War. On account of his advanced age, he was not called into service at the beginning of the Revolution; but his soldiers were so much attached to him that they would serve under no other commander. His appeals to their patriotism being unavailing to keep them in the army, he determined to join the ranks as a volunteer; but Colonel Brewster, his successor, learning his willingness to serve, relinquished the command of the regiment, and Colonel Whitcomb continued with it until he was made a brigadier-general, June 5, 1776, when he succeeded General Ward in charge of the troops in Boston. On the 13th of the same month he was made major-general. Soon after, he was permitted to resign; but he lived to see our independence firmly established, and died in 1812.
HUGH MERCER.
Hugh Mercer, born in Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1720, entered the army of Prince Charles Edward as assistant-surgeon, in 1745. The battle of Culloden, April 16, 1746, resulted in the total defeat of that unfortunate prince, sending him into exile, a proscribed wanderer, and scattering or exterminating his devoted followers. Emigrating to this country the following year, Mercer settled in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, and in 1755 fought his first battle in America under the leadership of John Armstrong and with the rank of captain. At the battle of Kittanning in 1756, he was severely wounded; in 1758, as lieutenant-colonel he took part in the capture of Fort Duquesne, and was left in command of that important post. It was during this expedition that he became acquainted with Washington; and in 1775, a few days after the battle of Lexington, Mercer was among the first to appeal to his former comrade-in-arms for instructions as to the disposition of the Virginia troops, then arming in the cause of liberty. June 5, 1776, Congress appointed him a brigadier-general; and a few days later he joined the army at New York and entered the Continental service, under the immediate orders of the commander-in-chief. Gloomy forebodings filled the mind of even the stanchest patriots, as defeat followed defeat, and Washington with his brave band retreated through the Jerseys.