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Letter to Editor
April 19, 1776
The Virginia Gazette
Williamsburg, Virginia
What is this article about?
In a 1776 letter to Mr. Purdie from Fredericksburg, Hugh Mercer defends his disciplinary intervention in Capt. Gibson's company of regulars, arguing it improved their character and order for the revolutionary cause, while criticizing the officers' neglect of discipline.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
FREDERICKSBURG, APRIL 10, 1776.
Mr. PURDIE,
THE public, to him less known of military discipline, will naturally conclude from his publication that I have injured the characters of the men of Capt. Gibson's company of regulars. I aimed at mending the character of that company, and hope I have not missed my aim. In attempting this necessary service, it is true, some deviation was made from the line of duty; but whose deviation from duty was most injurious to that company, and to the cause in which we are engaged, I beg leave also to submit to the publick: That of the officer who quells a mutinous spirit in the troops, or of those officers who, by a neglect of discipline, had, after some months training, obliged me to take the trouble of reducing their men to some degree of military order.
I am your humble servant,
HUGH MERCER.
Mr. PURDIE,
THE public, to him less known of military discipline, will naturally conclude from his publication that I have injured the characters of the men of Capt. Gibson's company of regulars. I aimed at mending the character of that company, and hope I have not missed my aim. In attempting this necessary service, it is true, some deviation was made from the line of duty; but whose deviation from duty was most injurious to that company, and to the cause in which we are engaged, I beg leave also to submit to the publick: That of the officer who quells a mutinous spirit in the troops, or of those officers who, by a neglect of discipline, had, after some months training, obliged me to take the trouble of reducing their men to some degree of military order.
I am your humble servant,
HUGH MERCER.
What sub-type of article is it?
Persuasive
Political
What themes does it cover?
Military War
Politics
What keywords are associated?
Military Discipline
Capt Gibson Company
Hugh Mercer
Revolutionary Cause
Officer Neglect
What entities or persons were involved?
Hugh Mercer
Mr. Purdie
Letter to Editor Details
Author
Hugh Mercer
Recipient
Mr. Purdie
Main Argument
the writer defends his deviation from duty to quell mutiny and restore order in capt. gibson's company, claiming it mended their character and aided the cause, while questioning the injurious neglect by the officers.
Notable Details
Quells A Mutinous Spirit
Reducing Their Men To Some Degree Of Military Order