Hessians by Chris Power

chrispower2 — 2021-12-05 04:00:54 UTC

chrispower2 — 2021-12-05 04:01:44 UTC

chrispower2 — 2021-12-05 17:04:06 UTC

This is the province of Hesse in Germany

chrispower2 — 2021-12-05 17:05:18 UTC

This is where Germany is in Europe

chrispower2 — 2021-12-05 17:15:52 UTC

When the war clouds of the American Revolution began to gather, Great Britain turned to the German states to provide much needed manpower.

Mercenary soldiers were common in European warfare. The British paid German princes about 7 pounds/soldier. Recruitment was well-organized in Hesse-Cassel.

Most Hessians were drafted to fight by the prince of their region. Most had no choice as they were born of a lower class.

chrispower2 — 2021-12-07 14:59:24 UTC

The British Army that fought in the American Revolutionary War was approximately 30% Hessian! That is 3/10 soldiers which is quite a lot! They were involved in most of the major campaigns and were indispensable for the English!

The presence of foreign troops in America hurt an already damaged British reputation. Although foreign mercenaries were customary in Europe, the colonists did not see it the same way. Many loyalists began to favor the revolution after the arrival of the Hessians.

chrispower2 — 2021-12-07 15:00:33 UTC

Hesse is a region in Germany. Not all "Hessians" however were from Hesse. Some came from other regions of Germany but were nonetheless called "Hessians" by the Americans and English.

chrispower2 — 2021-12-07 15:01:45 UTC

Hessians were hired soldiers that fought for Britain in the American Revolution against the American patriots. There were 34,000 of them.

chrispower2 — 2021-12-07 15:03:32 UTC

The Hessians fought from 1775-1783 against the American patriots. Many stayed in America after the Revolution and lived out the rest of their lives in the New World.

chrispower2 — 2021-12-07 15:03:52 UTC

chrispower2 — 2021-12-07 15:04:22 UTC

chrispower2 — 2021-12-07 15:05:13 UTC

chrispower2 — 2021-12-07 15:18:36 UTC

How were they organized?

Jåger Corps – Jågers were élite light infantry that had the ability to move quickly. They were well-disciplined and often taller than normal infantry units.

Regular Infantry – Infantry was the backbone of the Hessian Army. They were well-disciplined and well-educated on the art of killing.

Hussar – Refers to Hessian light cavalry units.

Grenadiers – Refers to specialized light infantry used for flanking maneuvers.

Artillery – There were three companies of Artillery units that came from the German principalities that fought in the war.

chrispower2 — 2021-12-07 15:26:25 UTC

chrispower2 — 2021-12-17 17:00:49 UTC

Collins, Bethany. "8 Fast Facts About Hessians." All Things Liberty.com, edited by Don Hagist et      al., Journal of the American Revolution, 19 Aug. 2014, allthingsliberty.com/2014/08/      8-fast-facts-about-hessians/. Accessed 17 Dec. 2021.

chrispower2 — 2021-12-17 17:17:16 UTC

chrispower2 — 2021-12-17 17:32:56 UTC

chrispower2 — 2021-12-17 17:33:51 UTC

chrispower2 — 2022-01-10 20:25:37 UTC

Hessians German Soldiers in the American Revolution." American Battlefield Trust,      www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/hessians.