Alexander Cavalié Mercer

Alexander Cavalié Mercer. . The restored gravestone is that of General Alexander Cavalié Mercer, who died in 1868, aged 85, which he shares with his sister Theodosia McNeill who died in 1881, aged 97., Alexander Cavalié Mercer, then a 2nd Captain, is arguably the most famous junior officer who fought at the Battle of Waterloo on 18th June 1815., Mercer's 'Journal of the Waterloo Campaign', published in 1870 by his son, Cavalié Mercer, is the finest witness account of the campaign. Two hundred years later, his Journal is much admired, quoted and debated by historians and enthusiasts., The Journal tells of Mercer's leadership of 'G' Troop Royal Horse Artillery, from the breaking news of Napoleon's escape from Elba, through the preparations for war, to the engagements of 16th, 17th and 18th of June 1815., Mercer's command comprised five guns and one howitzer, served by 4 officers, a surgeon, 23 NCOs and artificers, 80 gunners, 84 drivers, 220 horses and 6 mules, together with a forge, supply carriages, carts and wagons., 'G' Troop formed the rearguard artillery on the 17th of June before achieving conspicuous success on the 18th at Waterloo, partly in defiance of the Duke of Wellington's orders. The Journal continues with the march into France and the occupation of Paris by the victorious allies., Mercer's Journal vividly portrays the countryside of Belgium, the architecture, his colleagues, the local populace and the sensations of battle. It mentions his old dog Bal and his little horse Cossack, who both accompanied him on campaign. The Journal demonstrates the many qualities of its author, his culture, sensitivity, humour, professionalism, bravery honesty and compassion. Mercer noted after the battle: "Long did I stare at this sad and solemn spectacle. All this misery to satisfy the ambition of a single man.", After Waterloo Mercer served in British North America before being appointed commander of Royal Artillery, Kent District, based at Dover Castle. Many of his fine watercolours are now treasured by Canadians as an early record of their nation's history., Commissioned into the Royal Artillery at the age of 16, Mercer's diary fondly recalls his early visits to Exeter. By 1850 he had established a home in Exeter at Cowley Cottage, Cowley Hill. His sister Theodosia lived nearby in the Parish of Elmgrove. Their father, General Alexander Mercer of the Royal Engineers is buried in Exeter Cathedral., Today Mercer and his men are remembered through the Honour Title awarded to and proudly celebrated by his troop, G Parachute Battery (Mercer's Troop), 7 Para, RHA., ------, The gravestone was carefully restored in 2015, on the 200th commemoration of Waterloo, to mark the admiration felt by many towards Cavalié Mercer.