The Hessians

Siege of Savannah - Hessian Troops

Siege of Savannah - Hessian Hussars in America

This article on  the Hessians provides facts and information about these German mercenaries:

  • Who were the Hessians?
  • What was their involvement in the American Revolutionary War?
  • Interesting facts and fast information about the Hessians
  • Educational resource for teachers and kids about the Hessian soldiers who supported the British forces
Revolutionary Battles
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History of the Battles, Conflicts and Soldiers of the American Revolution War

Hessians: The American Revolutionary War, the soldiers and the famous battles of the conflict

The Hessians
This article contains fast facts and information about the Hessians. Who was Hessians and why were they fighting for the British in the American Revolutionary War? Definition of Hessians: The Hessians were German soldiers that were hired through the rulers of six German principalities by the British Empire in the 1700's. Over 30,000 Hessian soldiers were hired to fight against the American rebels during the Revolutionary War. More than half of these troops‑for‑hire came from the German state of Hesse­Cassel which was ruled by the House of Hesse, from where the name Hessians is derived.

The Hessians - Soldiers and Mercenaries

The Hessians - Soldiers and Mercenaries

Fast Facts about Hessians
The following facts about Hessians provide interesting facts and an overview and description of their involvement in the American Revolutionary War. Read the fact file on the Hessians and understand their importance and significance to the British forces during the American War of Independence.

Facts about the Hessians

Hessians Fact 1German rulers hired out some of their regular army units to Great Britain to fight against the Patriots in the American revolution.

Hessians Fact 2The Hessians were mercenaries meaning soldiers who were hired to fight in a foreign army for remuneration, rather than out of loyalty and patriotism

Hessians Fact 3The Hessians were German military conscripts - not volunteers

Hessians Fact 4The Hessian soldiers had been forced into the military and had limited military experience - many Hessians who made up the foot soldiers were old or criminals and fought mainly for a daily food ration
 

 
Hessians Fact 5The Hessian soldiers came in entire units with their usual uniforms, flags, weapons and officers

Hessians Fact 6The first army units of Hessian soldiers that arrived in America totalled over 18,000 soldiers - this number increased to over 30,000

Hessians Fact 7The Hessian soldiers, made up about a quarter of the British fighting force in America

Hessians Fact 8The Hessian soldiers first landed at Staten Island on August 15, 1776

Hessians Fact 9Their first engagement was in the Battle of Long Island but the Hessians also fought in many other battles in the Revolutionary War including:

The Battle of Fort Washington
The Battle of Long Island
The Battle of White Plains
The Battle of Savannah
The Battle of Trenton
Battle of Guilford Courthouse

 
Hessians Fact 10The Americans encouraged Hessians to desert and join the large German-American population.

Hessians Fact 11The Continental Congress authorized the offer of 50 acres of land to individual Hessian soldiers to encourage them to desert. (They also offered 50 - 800 acres of land to the British soldiers, depending on rank, to encourage the British troops to desert).

Hessians Fact 12Any Hessian deserters were executed or beaten by an entire company

Hessians Fact 13Stats and Facts about the Hessian soldiers: 4972 settled in North America

Hessians Fact 14Stats and Facts about the Hessian soldiers: 6354 died from illness or accidents

Hessians Fact 15Stats and Facts about the Hessian soldiers: 1200 were killed in action

Hessians Fact 16Stats and Facts about the Hessian soldiers: 17,313 returned home to Germany

Hessians Fact 171,000 Hessian soldiers were captured as prisoners at the Battle of Trenton

Hessians Fact 18The Hessian soldiers included hussars, three artillery companies, and 4 battalions of grenadiers

Hessians Fact 19The infantry were sharpshooters, musketeers and fusiliers WHO were armed with smoothbore muskets. The Hessian artillery used three-pounder cannons

Hessians Fact 20Hessian commanders refused to take the soldiers who were criminals or sick back to Germany.

Facts about Hessians

Stats and Facts about the German Hessians
The following images show more pictures of the uniforms worn by the Hessians and a chart providing stats and facts about the German Hessian soldiers who fought during the American Revolutionary War.

The Hessians - Soldiers and Mercenaries

 

The Hessians - Soldiers and Mercenaries

Stats and Facts about the German Hessians

The German Hessians

The history of the German Hessians in America is presented in a short, easy fact file format that is highly suitable for kids. The facts about  are a fast and accurate way to gain a good understanding of the role of these German soldiers who played a major role in the American Revolutionary War.

The Hessians

  • Facts and information about Hessian  soldier

  • History of the Hessian soldier

  • Fast Facts and info about the British Hessians

  • Pictures of Hessian  soldiers and their uniforms - a great history resource for kids

  • Social Studies Homework help for kids on the Hessian  soldier

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