Merion Mercies Blog
Monday 20 January 2020 | 12:10 am | Andrew HubschCentral to the narrative heart of MERION MERCIES is the interplay of Welsh Tract events and history’s grander sweep, the collision of first-person, local vignettes with larger national (and even international) ramifications. To wit, when the late-summer correspondence below is drafted and sent from the Welsh Tract in September 1777, the Commander in Chief of the Continental Army has just lost the battle of Brandywine, and is about to yield the rebel capital of Philadelphia. The brutal encampment at Valley Forge is still four months away — an unknown, and wholly unknowable, future — yet the prescience of General George Washington’s acute plea to Congress is clear: act now, or our army (and our cause) will surely perish come winter.
“To The President of Congress
Buck Tavern, three o’clock p.m., 15 September 1777
Sir —
The main body of the enemy, from the best intelligence I have been able to get, lies near Dilworthtown, not far from the field of action, where they have been busily employed in burying their dead, which, from accounts, amounted to a very considerable number. We are moving up this road to get between the enemy and Swedes’ Ford, and to prevent them from turning our right flank, which they seem to have a violent inclination to effect, by all their movements. I would beg leave to recommend in the most earnest manner, that some board or committee be appointed, or some mode adopted, for obtaining supplies of blankets for the troops. Many are now without them, and, the season becoming cold, they will be injured in their health, and unfitted for service, unless they are immediately provided with them. Our supplies in this instance, as well as in every article of clothing, cannot be too great, as there are frequent losses not easily to be avoided. [Emphasis added.] I would also observe, that I think, in point of prudence and sound policy, every species of provisions should be removed from the city, except such as will be necessary to supply the present demands of this army. I have been told there are considerable quantities in private hands, which should not he suffered to remain a moment longer than till they can be conveyed away.
I have the honor to be, &c.
— Gen. G. Washington”
June 15th, 2011 at 11:55 am
Mr Hubsch
Very interesting information I am very curious about the period of early 60’s to say 2000
quite a transformation, from family values passed on thru tight family units , to intense media influence(music,games computers cell phones) that changed our values..
in some ways the numbing down of society into a somewhat isolated generation that depends on text. and social networking.. gone are the instincts and feeling and impulses that come from personal interaction ie body language.. voice tone.. regular conversation… yet there is a much wider sense of digital connection..
forgive my rant.. how can I read more of your work?
Thanks and Good Luck
Mike Schmitt
June 20th, 2011 at 3:45 pm
“The Werewolves of Bryn Mawr” covers much of that late-20th century period. Mind you, that particular volume of MERION MERCIES — while largely researched and partially written — is still a few years from publication, since the stories progress chronologically, starting in 1642.
Of course, this is the one timeframe that I’ve actual lived through, across the entire epic series, so my personal interest is extraordinarily high, to capture it faithfully.
The “Werewolves” prologue is dynamite. Knowing now how jaw-droppingly cool the story is, waiting until it reaches the audience is like sands-through-the-hourglass torture. Oops, too much said…