Germans in the American Revolution facts for kids
Ethnic Germans played a part on both sides of the American Revolutionary War. Many Germans had moved to places like Pennsylvania and New York. Most of them stayed neutral or supported the American side, known as the Patriots. Some were part of peaceful groups like the Amish, but many still got involved in the war.
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German Allies of Great Britain
In Europe, Germans lived in many separate states. Some of these states had been allies with Britain before, so they were happy to help Britain again. Britain often used soldiers from other countries in its wars. Using these German soldiers against British colonists was a new and debated idea. Even so, the British Parliament agreed to it to quickly raise enough troops to stop the rebellion.
Some Europeans also debated whether it was right to "rent out" soldiers to another country. But people in these German states were often proud of their soldiers serving in the war. Prussia, a large German state, refused to send soldiers. Germans living in America did not join these hired German units. However, some joined British units, like the 60th Regiment of Foot.
Britain needed thousands of these hired soldiers quickly. Recruiters had to meet certain rules, like a minimum height and enough teeth to use a flintlock musket. Recruiters could lose money if soldiers deserted or lost equipment. About 40,000 German soldiers were sent to different places, including North America. In North America, German units made up more than a third of the British forces.
Americans were worried when these hired German fighters arrived. Some American leaders said they would declare independence if King George used such soldiers against them. The Patriots called these hired German troops "mercenaries." The American Declaration of Independence even mentioned them, saying:
He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny...
— U.S. Declaration of Independence
Back then, people saw a difference between "auxiliaries" and "mercenaries." Auxiliaries were soldiers serving their own ruler, who then sent them to help another ruler. Mercenaries were individuals who fought for any foreign ruler for money. By this rule, the German troops were auxiliaries, not mercenaries. But early American historians called them "mercenaries" to show they were different from the American "citizen soldiers" who fought for freedom without pay.
Throughout the war, the United States tried to get these hired soldiers to stop fighting. In 1778, Congress offered land and animals to German units that switched sides. After the war, Congress offered free farmland to Germans who stayed in the United States. Britain also offered land and tax benefits to its Loyalist soldiers who settled in Nova Scotia.
Hesse-Kassel Soldiers
Some smaller German states often rented out their armies to bigger nations for money. The Landgraviate of Hesse-Kassel was one of these. It had been "renting" out professional armies since the 1600s, and most people supported it. This allowed Hesse-Kassel to have a larger army, which helped it play a bigger role in European politics. About 7% of its people were in the military. The Hessian army was very well trained and equipped.
The ruler of Hesse-Kassel, Frederick II, was a Catholic and an uncle of King George III. He first sent over 12,000 soldiers to America. Like the British, the Hessians had trouble getting used to North America. Many got sick when they first arrived, which delayed attacks. From 1776 on, Hessian soldiers fought in most major battles, including those in New York and New Jersey campaign, the Battle of Germantown, and the final Siege of Yorktown. About 1,300 Germans were captured at Yorktown.
Hesse-Kassel sent over 16,000 troops during the war. About 6,500 of them did not return home. Because most German-speaking troops came from Hesse, Americans sometimes called all hired German soldiers "Hessians." Many Hessians decided to stay in America after the war.
Hesse-Kassel agreed to send 15 regiments, 4 grenadier battalions, 2 jäger companies, and 3 artillery companies. Jägers were special light infantry, carefully chosen and well paid. They were very useful in the "Indian style" fighting in America. Britain later asked Hesse-Kassel to send even more jägers.
German armies could not easily replace soldiers lost far away in America. So, the Hessians recruited African-Americans as servants and soldiers. There were 115 black soldiers with Hessian units, mostly as drummers or fifers. It's thought that 20% of people in Hessian units were not actually from Hesse.
General Wilhelm von Knyphausen was a well-known Hessian officer. He led his troops in several big battles. Other famous officers included Colonel Carl von Donop, who was badly wounded in 1777, and Colonel Johann Rall, who was killed at the Battle of Trenton in 1776. Rall's regiment was captured, and many soldiers were sent to work on farms in Pennsylvania.
The war lasted longer than Britain or Hesse-Kassel expected. The many deaths and long supply lines caused problems. After the American Revolution, Hesse-Kassel stopped the practice of raising and leasing armies.
Hesse-Hanau Soldiers
Hesse-Hanau was a smaller state connected to Hesse-Kassel. Its ruler, William, was the son of Frederick II of Hesse-Kassel. When William heard about the Battle of Bunker Hill in 1775, he immediately offered a regiment to King George III. During the war, Hanau sent 2,422 troops. Only 1,441 returned in 1783. Many Hanau soldiers were volunteers who planned to stay in America after the war.
Colonel Wilhelm von Gall was a known officer from Hesse-Hanau. He led a regiment under General John Burgoyne. Hanau sent infantry, jägers, a special "Frei-Corps" (irregular infantry), and an artillery company to North America.
Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel Soldiers
Brunswick-Lüneburg was a duchy divided into several areas. One part was ruled by King George III himself. The nearby Duchy of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel was ruled by Duke Charles I. His son, Charles William Ferdinand, was married to King George III's sister.
In 1775, Prince Carl told King George III that Brunswick had soldiers who could help stop the rebellion. Brunswick was the first German state to sign a treaty with Britain in January 1776. It agreed to send 4,000 soldiers. The treaty said that all troops would be paid and had to promise loyalty to King George III. A debated part of the agreement said Duke Charles I would get money for each Brunswick soldier killed in battle.
Duke Charles I sent 4,000 foot soldiers and 350 heavy dragoons (dismounted cavalry). All were led by General Friedrich Adolf Riedesel.
General Riedesel organized the Brunswick regiments to include new recruits. Experienced soldiers were spread among the new companies. Brunswick avoided forcing people into service. Landowners were allowed to transfer to units that would stay in Brunswick. Officers recruited throughout the Holy Roman Empire, offering money, travel to America, and adventure.
These soldiers made up most of the German-speaking troops under General John Burgoyne in the Saratoga campaign of 1777. They were usually called "Brunswickers." Brunswick and Hesse-Hanau forces were nearly half of Burgoyne's army. The Brunswickers were known for being very well-trained. Riedesel's wife, Friederike, traveled with her husband and wrote a journal. This journal is an important record of the Saratoga campaign. After Burgoyne surrendered, 2,431 Brunswickers were held as part of the Convention Army until the end of the war.
Brunswick sent 5,723 troops to North America. About 3,015 did not return home in 1783. Some died or deserted. Many Brunswickers got to know America while with the Convention Army. When the war ended, they were allowed to stay by both Congress and their officers. Many had deserted when the Convention Army marched through Pennsylvania German settlements.
Ansbach-Bayreuth Soldiers
The states of Brandenburg-Ansbach and Brandenburg-Bayreuth, led by Margrave Charles Alexander, first sent 1,644 men to the British. These included two infantry battalions, one jäger company, and one artillery company. Of these, 461 did not return home. In total, 2,353 soldiers were sent from Ansbach-Bayreuth, including a whole regiment of jägers. They were described as "the tallest and best-looking regiments." These troops joined General Howe's army in New York and were part of the Philadelphia campaign. Ansbach-Bayreuth troops also fought with General Cornwallis at the Siege of Yorktown, with nearly 1,100 troops.
After the first group, Ansbach-Bayreuth sent more new recruits. By the end of the war, 2,361 soldiers had gone to America, but fewer than half (1,041) had returned by the end of 1783. The Margrave of Ansbach-Bayreuth was deeply in debt when the war started. He received over £100,000 for the use of his soldiers. In 1791, he sold Ansbach and Bayreuth to Prussia and lived the rest of his life in England.
Waldeck Soldiers
Waldeck agreed to rent troops to Britain in 1776. Prince Friedrich Karl August of Waldeck kept three regiments ready for foreign service. The first regiment, with 684 men, sailed in July 1776 and fought in the New York campaign. During this campaign, the Waldeck regiment captured wine from American General Lee. They were upset when the British General Howe made them pour it out.
The Waldeck troops became part of the German auxiliary forces under Hessian General Wilhelm von Knyphausen.
In 1778, the 3rd Waldeck Regiment was sent to defend Pensacola in Florida. The regiment was spread out across West Florida. The commander, Colonel Johann Ludwig Wilhelm von Hanxleden, complained that his soldiers were getting sick and dying because of the climate. These remote places received few supply ships, and the soldiers' pay was not enough to buy local goods. Waldeck could not recruit new soldiers fast enough to replace those dying in West Florida. They also did not get news quickly. They did not know that Spain had declared war on Great Britain until they were attacked by Spanish forces. After this campaign, Spain recruited many of the poorly fed Waldeck soldiers. British prisoners were later exchanged, but Waldeck prisoners were kept by the Spanish for over a year before being exchanged in 1782.
Waldeck sent 1,225 men to the war. They lost 720 soldiers due to deaths or desertions. During the war, 358 Waldeck soldiers died from sickness, and 37 died from fighting.
Hanover Soldiers
Five battalions of troops from the Electorate of Brunswick-Lüneburg (Hanover) were sent to Gibraltar and Menorca as early as 1775. Their ruler was the British King George III. These troops were sent to replace British soldiers there, so those British soldiers could go fight in America. Hanover had its own government, so its troops were deployed under a treaty. Britain agreed to pay Hanover's costs and defend Hanover while the troops were away. These Hanoverian soldiers defended during the Great Siege of Gibraltar, which was the largest and longest battle of the war. They also defended Menorca. Later in the war, two Hanover regiments were sent to British India. They fought under British command in the Siege of Cuddalore.
Anhalt-Zerbst Soldiers
The Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst, Frederick Augustus, signed a treaty to provide Britain with 1,160 men in 1777. One battalion of 600–700 men arrived in Canada in May 1778 to guard Quebec City. The other, with about 500 "Pandours" (irregular soldiers), was sent in 1780 to guard British-occupied New York City.
German Americans Supporting the Patriots
German people started moving to the British colonies in the late 1600s. By the mid-1700s, about 10% of the American colonists spoke German. Germans were the largest non-British group in British North America. How well they fit in and adopted English ways varied a lot.
During the French and Indian War in 1756, Britain formed the Royal American Regiment, mostly made up of German colonists. Other Germans moved then, too, like Frederick, Baron de Weissenfels. He settled in New York as a British officer. When the Revolutionary War began, Weissenfels left the British and served with the Patriots from 1775, becoming a lieutenant colonel.
German-speaking colonists were split between those who stayed neutral, those who supported the Patriots, and those who supported the Loyalists. German Loyalists fought in their local militias. Some returned to German states after the war. Several new states formed German regiments or filled their militias with German Americans. German colonists in Charleston, South Carolina, formed a fusilier company in 1775. Some Germans in Georgia joined General Anthony Wayne's forces.
German Patriots were most common where they were different from the large, peaceful Quaker population. For example, brothers Peter and Frederick Muhlenberg were elected to Congress. Peter also served on George Washington's staff.
Provost Corps
Pennsylvania Germans were recruited for the American Provost corps. This unit was led by Captain Bartholomew von Heer, a Prussian who had served in a similar unit in Europe. The Marechaussee Corps did many jobs. These included gathering information, securing routes, handling enemy prisoners, and even fighting in battles like the Battle of Springfield. The Marechaussee also guarded Washington's headquarters during the Battle of Yorktown. It was one of the last units to be disbanded after the war. The Marechaussee Corps was not always popular with the Continental Army. This was partly because of their duties and because some members spoke little English. Six of the provosts had even been Hessian prisoners of war before joining. Because the provost corps did many jobs like today's U.S. Military Police Corps, it is seen as an early version of that group.
German Regiment
On May 25, 1776, the Second Continental Congress approved the creation of the 8th Maryland Regiment. This unit, also called the German Battalion or German Regiment, was formed from German colonists as part of the Continental Army. Unlike most army units, it drew soldiers from multiple states. It started with eight companies: four from Maryland and four (later five) from Pennsylvania. Nicholas Haussegger, a major under General Anthony Wayne, became the colonel. The regiment fought in the Battle of Trenton and the Battle of Princeton. It also took part in campaigns against American Indians. The regiment was disbanded on January 1, 1781.
European Supporters of the Patriots
George Washington welcomed European officers into his army. Johann de Kalb was from Bavaria. He served in the French armies before becoming a general in the Continental Army. Other Germans came to the United States to use their military skills. Frederick William, Baron de Woedtke, a Prussian officer, got a commission from Congress early in the war. He died in New York in 1776. Gustave Rosenthal was a German from Estonia who became an officer in the Continental Army. He returned to Estonia after the war. But other German soldiers, like David Ziegler, chose to stay and become citizens in the new nation they had helped create.
France also had eight German-speaking regiments with over 2,500 soldiers. The famous Lauzun's Legion included both French and German soldiers, and commands were given in German. There were also German soldiers and officers in the French Royal Deux-Ponts Regiment.
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The most famous German to support the Patriot cause was Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben from Prussia. He came to America on his own, through France. He served as Washington's inspector general. General von Steuben is known for training the Continental Army at Valley Forge. He later wrote the first drill manual for the United States Army. In June 1780, he led the advance guard defending Morristown, New Jersey from General Knyphausen. This was a battle briefly led by two opposing German generals. Von Steuben became a citizen and stayed in the United States until his death in 1794.
Von Steuben's home country, Prussia, joined the League of Armed Neutrality. Frederick II of Prussia was well-liked in the United States for his early support in the war. Frederick II held a grudge against King George III because the British king had stopped military payments during the Seven Years' War. He was interested in trading with the United States and avoiding English ports. He allowed an American agent to buy weapons in Prussia. Frederick predicted America would win. He promised to recognize the United States and its diplomats once France did. Prussia also interfered with recruiting efforts by Russia and neighboring German states that were raising armies for America. Frederick II forbade enlistment for the American war within Prussia. All Prussian roads were closed to troops from Anhalt-Zerbst. This delayed reinforcements that General Howe had hoped to receive in the winter of 1777–1778.
However, when the War of the Bavarian Succession started, Frederick II became more careful with Prussia's relationship with Britain. U.S. ships were not allowed in Prussian ports. Frederick refused to officially recognize the United States until they signed the Treaty of Paris. Even after the war, Frederick II thought the United States was too big to work as a republic. He predicted it would soon rejoin the British Empire.
