Surgeon Laurens Brooke, was born in Fredericksburg, in 1720, and was one of those who accompanied Governor Spottswood as a Knight of the Golden Horseshoe. He afterwards lived in Fredericksburg, entered the U. S. Navy as a surgeon and sailed with John Paul Jones on the "Ranger" and on the "Bon Homme Richard." At the famous battle of Scarborough, between the latter vessel and the "Serapis," Surgeon Brooke alone had the care of one hundred and twenty wounded sailors; and later with Surgeon Edgerly, of the English navy, from the Tempis, performed valiant work and saved many lives. The surgeons were honored by Captain Paul Jones with a place at his mess, and the literature of the period refers to Surgeon Brooke as the "good old Doctor Laurens Brooke." He was with Jones until the end of the war and spent some time at his home here when a very old man, some years after the Revolution. His family had a distinguished part in the War Between the States, being represented in the army and in the C. S. Congress during that period. GENERAL HUGH MERCER We wonder if any one ever declined to take the advice of George Washington. Certain it is that General Hugh Mercer did not, for, at the suggestion of Washington, Mercer came to Fredericksburg. Many Scotchmen have found the town to their liking. It makes them feel a sort of kinship with the country of hill-shadows, and strange romance. Mercer was born in Aberdeen in the year 1725. His father was a clergyman; his mother, a daughter of Sir Robert Munro, who, after distinguishing himself at Fontenoy and elsewhere, was killed at the battle of Falkirk, while opposing the young "Pretender." Hugh Mercer did not follow in the footsteps of his father, but linked his fortunes with Charles Edward's army, as assistant surgeon, fought with him at Culloden and shared the gloom of his defeat--a defeat which was not less bitter because his ears were ringing with the victorious shouts of the army of the Duke of Cumberland. To change a scene that brought sad memories, Dr. Hugh Mercer, in the fall of 1746, embarked for America. There, on the frontiers of civilization, in Western Pennsylvania, he spent arduous, unselfish years. He was welcomed and loved in this unsettled region of scattered homes. A rough school it was in which the doctor learned the lessons of life. In the year 1755, Mercer made his appearance in the ill-fated army of Braddock, which met humiliating disaster at Fort Duquesne. Washington's splendid career began here and here Mercer was wounded. Of this memorable day of July 9, 1755, it has been said that "The Continentals gave the only glory to that humiliating disaster."