German Troops in the American Revolution (1): Hessen-Cassel (Men-at-Arms)

This is a highly detailed study of the German auxiliary troops who fought for Britain in the American Revolutionary War and won a distinguished reputation on a host of battlefields. During the American Revolutionary War (1775–83), German auxiliary troops provided a vital element of the British war effort. Some 30,000 German troops served in North America, continuing a long-established relationship between Britain and various German principalities. These troops were widely referred to as mercenaries, implying that they sold their services individually, but they were in fact regular troops hired as a body by the British. Initially feared by the American population, the German troops came to be highly respected by their opponents. Their role in the fighting would inform the tactics and methods of a generation of German officers who returned to Europe after the war, many of whom went on to hold senior commands during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars. The largest body of German troops (numbering 12,000 men including artillery and light troops, the famous Jäger ) was from Hessen-Cassel. The only German contingent to be employed as a unit under its own general officers, they were clothed and equipped in the style of Frederick the Great's Prussians and were trained in much the same way. Many had seen active service during the Seven Years' War (1756–63) and served under career officers; they were well-disciplined and competent but showed little overt enthusiasm for the British cause. The troops of Hessen-Cassel would participate in every major campaign of the conflict, with the specialized skills of the Jäger being particularly in demand. Fully illustrated, this lively study examines the organization, appearance, weapons, and equipment of the Hessen-Cassel troops who fought for King George in the American Revolutionary War. During the American Revolution (1775–83), German auxiliary troops provided a vital element of the British war effort. Some 30,000 German troops served in North America, continuing a long-established relationship between Britain and various German principalities. These troops were widely referred to as mercenaries, implying that they sold their services individually, but they were in fact regular troops hired as a body by the British. Initially feared by the American population, the German troops came to be highly respected by their opponents. Their role in the fighting would inform the tactics and methods of a generation of German officers who returned to Europe after the war, many of whom went on to hold senior commands during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars. The largest body of German troops was from Hessen-­Cassel. The only German contingent to be employed as a unit under its own general officers, they were clothed and equipped in the style of Frederick the Great's Prussians and were trained in much the same way. Many had seen active service during the Seven Years' War (1756–63) and served under career officers; they were well-disciplined and competent but showed little overt enthusiasm for the British cause. The troops of Hessen-Cassel would participate in every major campaign of the conflict, with the specialized skills of the famous Jäger being particularly in demand. Fully illustrated, this lively study examines the organization, appearance, weapons, and equipment of the Hessen-Cassel troops who fought for King George in the American Revolution. Cover Contents Introduction Recruitment And Organization The Hessian Corps Arrival In America Major Actions Involving Hessians Uniforms Soldiers’ weapons and personal equipment Officers’ uniforms, weapons, and equipment Hessen-Cassel colors and drums The Regiments Regiment Garde Leib-Infanterie-Regiment Füsilier-Regiment Erbprinz Musketier-Regiment Prinz Carl Musketier-Regiment von Wutginau Füsilier-Regiment von Ditfourth Musketier-Regiment von Donop Füsilier-Regiment von Lossberg Füsilier-Regiment von Knyphausen Musketier-Regiment von Trümbach Musketier-Regiment von Mirbach Grenadier-Regiment Rall Garnisons-Regiment von Stein Garnisons-Regiment von Wissenbach Garnisons-Regiment von Huyn Garnisons-Regiment von Bünau Hessian grenadier battalions Feldjäger Corps Feldartillerie Corps Ingenieur Corps Temporary Units The first combined battalion, 1776–78 The second combined battalion, 1781–83 Provisional chasseur companies Starckloff’s Troop of Light Dragoons Return From America Select Bibliography Archival sources Published sources Plate Commentaries Index Imprint Пустая страница