Friederike Baer on Hessians: German Soldiers in the American Revolutionary War | Read the Revolution

Author and historian Dr. Friederike Baer joined the Museum on May 12 to offer a groundbreaking reimagining of Britain's war against American independence from the perspective of German soldiers, a people uniquely positioned both in the midst of the war and at its margins. The event marked the launch of her new book Hessians: German Soldiers in the American Revolutionary War, released on May 13, 2022.
Between 1776 and 1783, Britain hired an estimated 30,000 German soldiers to fight in its war against the American rebels. Collectively known as Hessians, these soldiers traveled along with accompanying civilians, including hundreds of women and children. The German military units also actively recruited Black men as musicians, laborers, servants and, in rare instances, privates. When the British evacuated the United States in 1783, an estimated 200 Black men, women, and children went with the German corps to Germany.
The Germans could not fathom why the colonists would rise up against a king under whose reign they had grown so prosperous. Moreover, the German auxiliaries entered the war with the assumption that they would easily and quickly defeat the rebels. They were mistaken. As one German officer put it, they eventually realized that the Americans had “many natural talents of war and the profession of the soldier.”
Members of the German corps penned a large volume of private and official records that pro­vide detailed accounts of the American war as well as descriptions of the built and natural environment, local customs and manners, the prevalence of slavery, and encounters with Native Americans. Baer draws heavily from these accounts in her new book, which presents an original, new look at this watershed event in world history.
Following the presentation, Museum Chief Historian Dr. Philip Mead joined the conversation to facilitate a live Q&A.
Read the Revolution is sponsored by The Haverford Trust Company.

[@PartlySunny74]

I wonder how many German soldiers went back to their homeland and thrilled their children and grandchildren with stories of their adventures! Thus inspiring some of those in the waves of immigration that followed. My own Hessian ancestors arrived in the 1800’s, but this excellent presentation has me wondering about earlier visits by the same family. (Another excuse to browse the records!)

[@ryanmichael1298]

Very interesting indeed.

[@karimacontortion5278]

YES YES INDEED INDEED

[@wendeln92]

Watched this on CSPAN tonight and purchased the bok right after - a bit pricy but I think it is worth it. Nothing like having a study of German troops done by a German historian. Having German hertiage in my family I avoided texts on the Hessians simply because they seem very dated and not very thorough examinations. Finally there is a source that is worth purchasing.

[@wendeln92]

Definitely have to make a trip to Philadelphia - Museum of the American Revoltion and the many sites related to that period. George Gordon Meade related sites, G.A.R. museum. philly cheese steak!!!

[@gregorybrennan8539]

Book

[@tmr8043]

Thank you

[@tmr8043]

I so enjoyed this greatly.. this is one reason Iam here in the USA.

[@karimacontortion5278]

YES YES

[@brianparent]

Ya know...Sir Edward Coke (Petition of Rights) became The Parliament Bill of Rights honored by The Magna Carta after The Glorious Revolution of 1688, The English Civil War, The Great Puritan Migration, The 30 Years' War, Guy Fawkes Day, and from the time King Henry The VIII was officially excommunicated from The Roman Catholic Church by Pope Paul III in 1538 (encyclopedias). Of course, our Founding Fathers cited The Magna Carta often when creating our U.S. Constitution, U.S. Bill of Rights, Habeas Corpus, and a person's guaranteed right to a trial by jury.

[@user-rq7el8nh6q]

Is there a book or list of the names of the captured Hessians ?

[@brianparent]

Ruler of Hesse Kassel was King Frederick II who married Princess Landgravine (died: January 15th, 1772), the daughter of King George The II. "To George Washington from Johann Christoph Koehler 1780" or Journals of The House of Commons, Vol. 23, page 488, pub. 1803, by The Parliament of Great Britain. Why are you neglecting to mention that? Message by a descendant of Roger Williams, once a student of Sir Edward Coke?

[@corderomiles3769]

What about indian supous/hessians? They def were mercenaries.. from america going out to france and germany to cameroon

[@karimacontortion5278]

INDEED