Hessians

Hessians is a collective name for German mercenaries who fought on the
British side in the American War of Independence.

Hessians got their name from the fact that 16,992 of the total 29,875 men
came from Hessen-Kassel. Others came from various other German states like
Anhalt-Zerbst, Anspach-Bayreuth, Brunswick, Hesse-Hanau, Nassau, and
Waldeck. In early 1776, George III sought to hire a number of units from the
various houses or states of Germany. A number of these rulers were only too
happy to oblige, since continental Europe was between wars, and they needed
hard money.

The troops were not mercenaries in the modern sense of professionals who
fought for money. The officer corps were usually career officers who had
served in earlier European wars. As in most armies of the 18th century, the
men were mainly conscripts, debtors, or the unfortunate victims if
impressment. One of them was future writer Johann Gottfried Seume. The
revenues realized from their service went back to the German royalty.

Hessians composed maybe 1/3 of the British forces in the conflict. They
included jaegers, hussars, three artillery companies and four battalions of
grenadiers but most of the infantry were chasseurs (sharpshooters),
musketeers and fusiliers. They were armed mainly with smoothbore muskets.
Artillery used 3-pounder guns.

Initially the average regimental strength was 500-600 men but their numbers
were seriously depleted in battles. Later in the war the regiments had only
300-400 men. Pay was low - some soldiers apparently got nothing but their
daily food.

About 18,000 arrived to North America in 1776. They first landed at Staten
Island on August 15 and their first engagement was in the Battle of Long
Island. They fought in every campaign but after 1777 they were mainly used
as garrison troops. Only two regiments fought at Yorktown in 1781.

In addition to firepower, American rebels also used propaganda against
Hessians. They enticed Hessians to desert to join the German-American
population. In April 1778 one letter promises 50 acres of land to every
deserter. Benjamin Franklin wrote an article that claimed that Hessian
commander wanted more of his soldiers dead so he could be better compensated.

17,313 Hessians returned to their homelands. Of the 12,526 of those who did
not, about 7,700 were killed in battles. Maybe 5,000 settled in North
America, both in United States and Canada - some because their commanders
refused to take them back to Germany for being criminals or physically unfit.

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