American "Truth"
Examination of American "Truth" Through Art
The Death of General Mercer
Artist Bio By: Melika Dalaki
Born in Dublin and Harvard educated, John Trumbull (1756-1843), only had one working eye but he did not let that stop him from pursuing a career as an artist. He was an artist during the period of the Revolutionary War. He had a wife with the name of Faith (Née Robinson) Trumbull with no children.
Art Critique By: Melika Dalaki
The painting ”The Death of General Mercer at The Battle Of Princeton” by Trumboll was painted as if the artist were standing parallel to this “fight”. As the viewer observes the painting, it is noticed that the British and colonial parties are battling, and in the center of attention, is the death of General Mercer. The general sense of the picture is centered on the fact that the British were being portrayed as more aggressive than the opposing party. The physical properties of the painting are landscape, and the use of warm toned colors to catch the casualties and rage that the battle carries with it. It has warmer colors on the bottom and lighter toned colors on the top to balance out the painting and make it more pleasurable to the eye. Some symbolic objects that were found in the painting were the immense number of weapons that the Brits were carrying, and the American flag (which portrays a sense of leadership), and the overflow of British soldiers that the colonial party lacks of.
Story Truth By: Daniela Silber
On the night of January 3, 1777 our army, The Continental Army lost one of our great Generals, General Hugh Mercer. While the fight didn’t last quite too long, it was long enough to leave a sorrow affect on our army. Although we had over triple the British arms and with George Washington as Commander-in-Chief we were well on our way to victory. As we left Assunpink Creek in Trenton, Washington commanded an attack on General Lord Cornwallis of Great Britain. As Hughes and Cornwallis’s brigades clashed we needed more support as we were outnumbered. On the verge of defeat Washington saved us by sending in Brigadier General John Cadwalader to join us. Once our army began to flee from the site, under command of the great George Washington we attacked Lieutenant Colonel Charles Mawhood- Great Britain- in Princeton. At the 10 day battle of Princeton our gracious General Merecer passed of his various wounds. 10 days of fighting, we had over triple the arms, 40 wounded and 30 killed; and after all the advantages Merecer portrayed with he died on January 12, 1777.
Happening Truth By: Althea Musakasa
The battle of Princeton occurred January 3, 1777 near Princeton, New Jersey where George Washington and his troops defeated the British. During the battle American General Hugh Mercer. During the battle the British broke through Hugh Mercer’s line on the Clarke Farm. Mercer, friend of Washington and resident of Virginia tried to reform his command but became surrounded by British regulars. General Mercer refused to surrender to the British and lay down his arms, so he was hit with bayonets repeatedly which eventually killed him. Many of the British soldiers believed that they had killed Washington himself because of how highly he was decorated and his high ranking.
War Story By: Althea Musakasa, Melika Dalaki, Daniela Silber
Believe me when I say this.
One time after leaving the creek in Trenton at the break of Dawn General Washington commanded us to go attack the red coats upon arrival we are met face to face by the other side. Casualties occurred left and right I will never forget the sight of blood that day. We can tell we outnumbered them in arms and men. As I look over I see the bold and courageous Hugh Mercer being bayoneted. He refused to surrender to the Red coats so they attacked him. What a bold man.
First of all, the Brits came and attacked us, and they had the nerve to think we would let them get away with this one. In the end we defeated them, and gave them what they deserved. Long live America.