Military officer; born in
Aberdeen, Scotland, about 1720; became a physician, and was assistant surgeon at the battle of
Culloden, on the side of the Pretender, and was obliged to leave his country.
He came to
America in 1747, was a captain in the
French and Indian War, was severely wounded in the battle
where
Braddock was defeated, and received a medal from the corporation of
Philadelphia for his prowess in that expedition.
He was made lieutenant-colonel in 1758; entered heartily into the military service when the
Revolutionary War broke out, and was made colonel of the 3d Virginia Regiment in February, 1776.
In June following Congress made him a brigadier-general.
He led the column of attack at the
battle of Trenton (q. v.), and at the council of war there he suggested the daring night march on
Princeton.
In the battle that ensued the following morning he was mortally wounded, and died Jan. 12, 1777.
See
Princeton, battle of.