The Hessians and the Other German Auxiliaries of Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War: Mercenaries or True Patriots?

When we think about the American Revolutionary War, images of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin often come to mind. However, there is another group of individuals who played a significant role in this historic conflict – the Hessians and other German auxiliaries who fought alongside the British. These soldiers have often been portrayed as ruthless mercenaries, motivated solely by money and lacking any dedication to the cause. But is this depiction accurate? Were they truly mercenaries or did they have other reasons to fight?

The Hessians: Who Were They?

The Hessians were soldiers from the German state of Hesse-Cassel who were hired by the British to fight against the American rebels. They were part of a broader group known as the German auxiliaries, which also included soldiers from Brunswick, Ansbach-Bayreuth, Waldeck, and other German states. In total, it is estimated that around 30,000 German soldiers fought for the British during the American Revolutionary War.

It is important to note that not all Hessians were forced to fight against their will. Landgrave Frederick II of Hesse-Cassel, who provided a large number of soldiers to the British, ruled a principality that was financially dependent on leasing troops to foreign powers. Many young men from Hesse-Cassel willingly joined the ranks of the British army, seeking adventure, money, or a chance to escape their mundane lives.

The Hessians and the Other German Auxiliaries of Great Britain in the Revolutionary War

by Edward J. Lowell(Kindle Edition)

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1630 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
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Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	181 pages

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The Mercenary Myth

The popular belief that the Hessians and other German auxiliaries were ruthless mercenaries who fought solely for money is an oversimplification of the truth. While it is true that they received payment for their services, it is unfair to label them as mercenaries in the traditional sense.

For many of these soldiers, their decision to fight for the British was influenced by a combination of economic, political, and personal factors. The Hessian soldiers were known for their discipline, professionalism, and military expertise, which made them attractive to the British army. Their presence also relieved pressure on the British troops, who were already stretched thin in the American colonies.

Furthermore, the soldiers from Hesse-Cassel and other German states were not fighting against their own people. They had no personal animosity towards the American rebels and, in fact, were often ignorant of the political turmoil happening across the Atlantic. To them, it was just another military campaign in a long history of European conflicts.

The True Patriots

Contrary to popular belief, some of the German soldiers who fought for the British during the American Revolutionary War showed genuine dedication to the cause. Many of them fought bravely on the battlefield and formed lasting friendships with their British counterparts. Some even sympathized with the American rebels' desire for independence.

One example of a Hessian soldier who defied the mercenary stereotype is Johann de Kalb. Born in Bavaria, de Kalb served as a high-ranking officer in the French and Bavarian armies before joining the American cause. He arrived in America in 1777 and fought alongside the Continental Army in several key battles, including the Battle of Brandywine and the Battle of Camden. De Kalb believed in the principles of the American Revolution and saw it as an opportunity to fight for liberty and the American people.

The Legacy of the Hessians

The Hessians and other German auxiliaries left a significant impact on the American Revolutionary War and its aftermath. Their involvement in the conflict not only shaped its outcome but also influenced public opinion, both in America and Europe.

In America, the presence of these foreign soldiers helped consolidate colonial unity and strengthen the resolve of the American rebels. Seeing themselves as a united front against foreign aggression, the colonists were motivated to fight even harder for their independence.

Across the Atlantic, the Hessians and other German auxiliaries became symbols of European intervention in the American Revolution. Their presence served as a rallying point for anti-British sentiment and ultimately contributed to the growing support for American independence in European countries such as France.

The Hessians and other German auxiliaries who fought for the British in the American Revolutionary War were not mere mercenaries. While economic incentives played a significant role in their decision to join the conflict, they were also motivated by a sense of duty, adventure, and personal conviction. Some of these soldiers developed a genuine attachment to the cause and fought bravely alongside their British and American counterparts.

It is important to look beyond simplistic stereotypes and consider the complex motivations that drove individuals to participate in this historic conflict. The story of the Hessians and other German auxiliaries is not just one of mercenaries, but also of patriots and adventurers who left their mark on the American Revolutionary War.

The Hessians and the Other German Auxiliaries of Great Britain in the Revolutionary War

by Edward J. Lowell(Kindle Edition)

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1630 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	181 pages

FREE

Who were the Hessians?

Why were Germans fighting in the American Revolutionary War?

Why were they fighting for the British?

Edward J. Lowell’s classic text on the German mercenaries in the Revolutionary War explains all of these questions as well as many others.

From the princes that ruled them to the troops themselves, Lowell gives a complete overview of these men that travelled to another country to fight for a cause that was not their own.

These troops were involved in some of the most pivotal battles of the Revolution, from their first at Long Island, to Trenton, Stillwater and Saratoga.

These professional soldiers were involved from the beginning of the war, and it was only on 25th November 1783, two years after the fall of Yorktown, that the last Hessians sailed down the Bay of New York back towards Germany.

The Hessians and the Other German Auxiliaries of Great Britain in the Revolution is essential reading for anyone interested in the in the Revolutionary Wars and the soldiers who fought within it.

Edward J. Lowell was a historian and lawyer from the United States. He first gained interest in the German involvement in the Revolutionary Wars after a trip abroad. It was first published as a series of letters in The New York Times but later published as a book in 1884. He died ten years later in 1894.