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 United Empire Loyalists American Revolutionary War Genealogy & History Resources More Canadian Resources | More American Resources More Loyalist Resources | More American Revolution Resources BOOK - The Hessians And The Other German Auxiliaries Of Great Britain In The Revolutionary War With Maps & Plans By: Edward J. Lowell Originally published in New York, 1884 This edition published by Global Heritage Press, Milton, 2009
Much of the original source material used by the author in 1884 was lost due to bombing during the Second World War. This circumstance heightens the the importance of Lowell's nineteenth century work. PREFACE (from the book):
In preparing the following book, I cannot claim to have used nearly all the very voluminous stores contained in the libraries and archives of Germany. I have, however, found original German accounts of every important engagement, and of almost every skirmish of the Revolutionary War, from the year 1776 to the end, except of some of those battles which occurred in the Carolinas and Georgia, and in which few, if any, Germans were engaged. Some of these accounts, I believe, had never yet fallen under the eye of an American writer. In Germany the treaties for the letting of soldiers to Great Britain, and the history of those soldiers have received more attention than in America. Two writers are especially prominent among those who have dealt with these subjects. One of these writers is Friedrich Kapp, now a member of the Reichstag, and formerly an exile in America. To his books I am largely indebted, both directly and indirectly, for information embodied in this volume, and especially in the first five chapters. The other writer is Max von Eelking, captain in the service of Saxe-Meiningen, and corresponding member of the New York Historical Society. His two works, "Die deutschen Hulfstruppen im nordamerikanischen Befreiungskriege," and "Leben und Wirken des Herzoglich Braunschweigischen General Lieutenants Friedrich Adolph von Riedesel," constitute a history of the war from the German point of view. Captain von Eelking had access to a very rich store of material. His list of manuscripts for the first-mentioned work alone (many of them the property of private persons) comprises thirty-eight numbers. In writing the life of Riedesel he was allowed to consult or copy all the letters and papers left by that general. Had Captain von Eelking shown as much care in the use of materials as he did industry in their collection, his works would be very valuable contributions to American history. Unfortunately the results of his labors are marred by inaccuracies. I have often been obliged to depend upon him, but I have done so with caution. The reader will find in this book many passages which belong rather to biography or to anecdote than to history. The adventures of comparatively unimportant persons, such as Wiederhold, Ewald, or Baroness Riedesel are related at some length. It has been my object to give an idea of what sort of people the auxiliaries were, and of what impression America and the Americans made upon them. To this end I have not hesitated to introduce apparently trivial matter, where it has seemed characteristic, nor to quote opinions or descriptions which, though genuine, were mistaken. I take this opportunity heartily to thank Doctor Duncker, Librarian of the Standische Landesbibliothek at Cassel, and the secretary, Herr Schultheiss; Doctor Konnecke, Keeper of the Archives at Marburg, and his assistants; and Doctor Speyer, Court Librarian to his Most Serene Highness the Prince of Waldeck, through whose kindness I have obtained copies of manuscripts in their respective keeping. A part of the contents of this volume appeared in the form of letters to the New York Times in the winter of 1880-1881.
Index Hardcover 6" x 9" Originally published in New York, 1884 This edition published by Global Heritage Press, Milton, 2009 ISBN 1-894378-83-0. More Genealogy & History Resources from Global Genealogy:
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