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.