An important point to keep in mind is that King George III was not just the King of Great Britain and Ireland, but concurrently the Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg, and thus Elector (and later King) of Hanover. So citizens of those German regions were also very much subjects of King George. There was no "Germany" at the time, and so he was the highest authority with any power in those regions. (The Holy Roman Emperors at this time had very little power.) This became far more apparent after Napoleon invaded those states and many military aged males escaped across the channel to serve in the British Army (as the King's German Legion) under their King. So it might be more accurate to call them German speaking subjects of the King rather than "Germans" since Germany did not yet exist. That being said, even at the time they would have been referred to as "Germans" or "Dutch", much like Spanish speakers in the US are collectively referred to as "Hispanic" even though many of them have no connection to Spain.
"So it might be more accurate to call them German speaking subjects of the King rather than "Germans" since Germany did not yet exist." Germany did indeed exist. What didn´t exist was the German national state, but by this time no national states were around in general. Only in the 19th century they emerged.
I am 60 and just found out that my 6th great grandfather Johann Christian HABERMEHL 1740-1816 was a soldier. He survived and his family lived in Virginia. I would like to look into his military life but do not know where to start.
Really enjoying the videos you’ve been putting out recently, some very interesting topics! Curious to hear more of the former slaves in Hessian regiments mentioned!
But the KGL was still a foreign corps (although more or less incorporated in the British Army, with the officers given permanent rank in the British Army in 1812) and disbanded in 1816. The only difference to the "Hessians" in the Rev War is, that the KGL was (at first, at least) recruited from KIng George's hereditary Hannover, which explains the choice of redcoats, as these were worn in the Hannoverian Army as well. Hannoverian Troops served indirectly in the Rev War, as they garrisoned Gibraltar to free British troops for service in America. Service in America was extremely unpopular in Hannover, so that King George as Elector of Hannover chose this way around to augment his forces. Von Scheither's recruitment offer was totally independent from Hannoverian Government recruiting, although he was a Hannoverian officer. Michael-Andreas Tänzer, Arbeitskreis Hannoversche MIlitärgeschichte (www.akHMG.de)
"von Scheiter" - Oof, as an Englishman that surname sounds quite unfortunate. If some kid had a surname like that round here the bullying would be endless... xD
For the benefit of our American cousins, “Shite” (pronounced the same as Scheit) is another way of saying “Shit”. Hence the comment about it being an unfortunate name . . . 😁
@@caffracer7196 Thank you cousin from across the pond. Again, we apologize for our whole revolution thing. You simply don't put enough sugar in your tea... we had to. Hope we can still be friends. XOXO -America
There were 10 Waldeckers in Natchez, Mississippi (Territory) and about 30 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana (Territory) during the war. Many of them woved/ marched to the Mobile Alabama area and later to Pensacola garrisons.
Let us not forget that George 3 (real name Georg) was from the German House of Hanover, he had cousins in positions of power in German states - Although ruled separately he still had authority in Hanover, and spoke German equally fluently ac English. The German states were England's allies, both politically and religiously, both being majority Protestant. (Not forgetting the use of German troops against Catholic Ireland on behalf of England)
Curious as to where these “Germans”, including Von Schweiter himself, hailed from as Germany was not a country at that point. We’re they Saxons, Prussians, Bavarians or actual Hessians? Did the British prefer to recruit from a specific region?
my ancestors were german, coming to England in the 1700s. we know their children anglocised their names and spoke german at home, but otherwise integrated with the English and gainfully educated and employed and married. . we also know several served in the Bri ish army, including into WW1 in British army under their English names. sadly several were killed and never found. My great-grandmother still spoke german and my mum remembers her german accent. Again WW2 and our lot served in the British Army. 2 taken POW by, The Germans.
The black Hessians and their descendants served in the life guards in Kassel right into the 19. century. King George was also ruler of Hannover. Hannoverian forces defended Gibraltar against the Spanish on one occasion in the 18. century. Do you know, if the British sent people from Hannover into the Revolutionary War ?
When I saw the title ia ssumed this was going to be about maybe the british trying to recruit from Hanover since that was also under the control of the British King at the time
I have a question regarding this as well. In regards to the fact the British Royal Family were indeed German I would figure or guess they would also call upon Hanoverian Regiments for the crown. Though I am for any correction if needed
An interesting discussion would also be the practice (I'm not sure how common it was but it did happen) of enlisting native Americans in the regular British army regiments both during the French and Indian War and the Rev War. I remember hearing a story about a Mohawk who joined the 44th or the 48th after Braddock's Defeat, was captured at Fort Oswego, and then paroled to England where he re-enlisted and then after the war received full pension
I am a descendant of Hessians Captain David Johann Schmidt is one of my great grandfathers---many greats down, I don't remember off the top of my head :D
New sub. Love the content. One day, perhaps, you'll get to the 1810's when my people (Canada)... though still very much Great Britain... and yours fought against one another. It would be really cool to add how we've since become fast friends and allies.
Something also I found fascinating was also how many foreigners ended up serving in the royal navy. I was reading Master and Commander, which although is fiction is heavily based upon primary sources. In Aubrey's ship there are men from Sweden, Ireland, England, sub-saharan Africa, Germany, Greece, Russia and so forth. At this time, whom a regiment or ship served was far more important and indicative than what nationality made up the army since this was a time of empire's rather than nation states.
"Raise new regiments..." It also would have been illegal at the time. Parliament strictly limited the number of regiments in the King's service, especially the number serving in GB proper. Hence the need to hire troops from other countries. Note that raising provincial units did NOT apply to this law.
My Great, great, great, great, grandfather was a Dragon officer in the Battle of New Orleans. Joseph Martial Walker. He later became friends of Andrew Jackson and and govoner in the 1850s.
Even today there is a lot of foreign nationals serving in the British Army, most commonwealth countries but also the Gurkahs and about 2000 men from the Republic of Ireland.
Look into reenactment groups located in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania “Dutch” were actually German immigrants (probably descended from those Displaced by the 30 years war) You’re more likely to find Hessian Re-enactment groups there than you are to find their equivalent in the Region of Hessel-Kassel in Germany I am a descendant of Hessians that remained in the Americas after the war, settling as woodsmen and Farmers in the Great Lakes region
I’ve long been fascinated by the history of Friedrich Wilhelm August Heinrich Ferdinand von Steuben, known as Baron von Steuben, who was responsible for turning the Continental Army into a professional military. How many Germans fought on the American side and in what roles?
My ansestor Fredrick Praught was given a plot of land in what now is Prince Edward Island Canada in 1790. Anyone with our last name in North America comes from our brave Hessian forefather.
The transition of Turner to Tanner probably occurred due to the first few national census when government census takers with a poor understanding of German had trouble distinguishing from profession and family name
Excellent video! Aside from the King’s German Legion and the Hessians, I never heard of Germans serving in the British Army. This is quite interesting. Do you know which campaign these German soldiers began serving in North America? 1776? 1777? Later?
For a number of times German Soldiers saved the neck of the British Empire. The 7th son of George III was CO of "The Kings own Germans" who alone commanded 15.000 Germans at the battle of Waterloo who stopped the French until Marshal Blücher with 40.000 Prussians arrived.
My ancestors were German Palantines who emigrated to New York. They fought with the Briyish and now called Loyalists. Because they were on the losing side ended up in Canada when their homes and land were seized by the Americans
I'm curious, why choose to divide the Germans between each regiment at all? It seems to me that, especially considering the language barrier, they would be pretty socially isolated from the Englishmen, and that that it would make more sense to keep them all together. Was it to prevent them from deserting? If so, was there a similar danger of Hessians deserting?
Hiring experienced troops is a time honoured tradition. PPCLI (last privately founded regiment in Canada) was orriginally made up of Boer War vets to save time and money getting the new regiment into the Great War.
Not to mention the King's German Legion during the Napoleonic wars. Mostly made up of hannoverian soldiers who fled after napoleon invaded the electorate of Hannover. There were a total of 14 Thousand men in the legion, with the legion having its own line and light,light and heavy infantry, it's own artilery and it's own cavalry.
I remember, before hiring Germans, the British considered hiring Russians from Catherine the great. I would have liked to known how that would have gone down. At least there was a German community within north America - so they weren't nearly as alien as the Russians would have been.
I am interested in the pronunciation of "Hessians" as Hesh- ians. I have never heard this said with a sh rather than an s sound , and I wonder what was the usual way of saying it back then.
so you managed to blunder upon inglorious english verb conjugation. i have a list of verbs you may be familiar with. fit (past tense fitted ? not fat?? ) shit (past tense shat?) shine (shawn?? shined? shone?? ashone?)
Pretty sure Prussians would be considered Prussians. All Prussians are German, but not all Germans are Prussians. Remember that Prussia is only one of multiple German states at this time.
Hessian was occupied by Prussia in the Prussian/Austrian War of 1865. Hessian,Saxon and Bavaria were allied with Austria. Hessian and Saxon became Prussian Provinces. Lower Saxony (Hannover) was also occupied and became Prussian. BTW The (present)Head of the House Hannover is married with Caroline of Monaco
Weren't Hanoverians considered British subjects (Hanover was considered part of the British Realm) during this time, and therefore could enlist (or rather gang pressed) into the British military just as any Englishman could have?
no since hanover was not acutally part of the great britain and the united kingdom, in fact it was technicaly an electorate in the holy roman empire, king george iii was infact seperatley electorate of hanover as well as king of enlgand scotlsnd and wales. the electorate of hanover did have to technically provide units to reichsarmee of the holy roman if it was required.
Chris, I'm curious. Are you a formally educated historian or does your education lie in another field? Do you work in the capacity of a historian or an educator or is re-enacting a total break from your mundane life? I ask because I am a history buff myself, but my education and career are in public service. I'm curious to know how much of your body of knowledge is purely from being a hobbyist.
It is entirely from being a hobbyist. My degree is not related to history in any way, I’m just a guy who enjoys talking about history, and I use the hobby as a way to expand my knowledge and then pass on what I’ve learned.
@@ChristheRedcoat Thank you! Hopefully some day I can get involved in this hobby. I live in Georgia and there are no Revolutionary War period British Army re-enactment units here that I can find.
I humbly suggest the following: The fallacy is thinking that rulers identify at all with the lands/people they rule. He isnt the King of England, but the king of Hapsburg Fam, who will rule over any land he can get his hands on thru war or marriage. Given the choice between more power and and inbreeding- he will say 'Yes'. Courts have court languages so they dont have to deign to speak same language as local rabble
![Eminem - Temporary (feat. Skylar Grey) [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/ZaK9Wi5ho0o/mqdefault.jpg)
An important point to keep in mind is that King George III was not just the King of Great Britain and Ireland, but concurrently the Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg, and thus Elector (and later King) of Hanover. So citizens of those German regions were also very much subjects of King George. There was no "Germany" at the time, and so he was the highest authority with any power in those regions. (The Holy Roman Emperors at this time had very little power.) This became far more apparent after Napoleon invaded those states and many military aged males escaped across the channel to serve in the British Army (as the King's German Legion) under their King.
So it might be more accurate to call them German speaking subjects of the King rather than "Germans" since Germany did not yet exist. That being said, even at the time they would have been referred to as "Germans" or "Dutch", much like Spanish speakers in the US are collectively referred to as "Hispanic" even though many of them have no connection to Spain.
Indeed.
"So it might be more accurate to call them German speaking subjects of the King rather than "Germans" since Germany did not yet exist."
Germany did indeed exist. What didn´t exist was the German national state, but by this time no national states were around in general. Only in the 19th century they emerged.
With King George being of Hanoverian origin it's no surprise that large numbers of Germans enlisted in the British army.
What a great video I learned a lot :D
I am 60 and just found out that my 6th great grandfather Johann Christian HABERMEHL 1740-1816 was a soldier. He survived and his family lived in Virginia. I would like to look into his military life but do not know where to start.
Africans serving with Hessians would be a very cool video too.
As a Wargamer it's going to be an interesting reaction from my friends when they see black faced Hessians.
Really enjoying the videos you’ve been putting out recently, some very interesting topics! Curious to hear more of the former slaves in Hessian regiments mentioned!
Interesting the redcoated Germans, it sounds like the King's German Legion Line Batallions.
But the KGL was still a foreign corps (although more or less incorporated in the British Army, with the officers given permanent rank in the British Army in 1812) and disbanded in 1816. The only difference to the "Hessians" in the Rev War is, that the KGL was (at first, at least) recruited from KIng George's hereditary Hannover, which explains the choice of redcoats, as these were worn in the Hannoverian Army as well. Hannoverian Troops served indirectly in the Rev War, as they garrisoned Gibraltar to free British troops for service in America. Service in America was extremely unpopular in Hannover, so that King George as Elector of Hannover chose this way around to augment his forces. Von Scheither's recruitment offer was totally independent from Hannoverian Government recruiting, although he was a Hannoverian officer. Michael-Andreas Tänzer, Arbeitskreis Hannoversche MIlitärgeschichte (www.akHMG.de)
"von Scheiter" - Oof, as an Englishman that surname sounds quite unfortunate. If some kid had a surname like that round here the bullying would be endless... xD
Well, Scheitern is german for failing, so it's really not good all around.
von Scheither, not Scheiter.
I'm not sure how that improves things, tbh.
For the benefit of our American cousins, “Shite” (pronounced the same as Scheit) is another way of saying “Shit”. Hence the comment about it being an unfortunate name . . . 😁
@@caffracer7196
Thank you cousin from across the pond.
Again, we apologize for our whole revolution thing. You simply don't put enough sugar in your tea... we had to. Hope we can still be friends.
XOXO
-America
@@spiffygonzales5160 - always. That’s what the “Special Relationship” is all about . . .
I would love you to do something on the many Irish regiments for example the Enniskins, or the Royal Enniskins who fought during the war.
There were 10 Waldeckers in Natchez, Mississippi (Territory) and about 30 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana (Territory) during the war. Many of them woved/ marched to the Mobile Alabama area and later to Pensacola garrisons.
Hi Chris. Thank you once again for well researched and presented information. ATB. Nigel
Let us not forget that George 3 (real name Georg) was from the German House of Hanover, he had cousins in positions of power in German states - Although ruled separately he still had authority in Hanover, and spoke German equally fluently ac English. The German states were England's allies, both politically and religiously, both being majority Protestant. (Not forgetting the use of German troops against Catholic Ireland on behalf of England)
I've heard that George the third was the first of his line to never leave the British isles.
@@drgustavtorbenjuul6062 True
Curious as to where these “Germans”, including Von Schweiter himself, hailed from as Germany was not a country at that point. We’re they Saxons, Prussians, Bavarians or actual Hessians? Did the British prefer to recruit from a specific region?
Hannover
my ancestors were german, coming to England in the 1700s. we know their children anglocised their names and spoke german at home, but otherwise integrated with the English and gainfully educated and employed and married. . we also know several served in the Bri ish army, including into WW1 in British army under their English names. sadly several were killed and never found. My great-grandmother still spoke german and my mum remembers her german accent. Again WW2 and our lot served in the British Army. 2 taken POW by, The Germans.
The black Hessians and their descendants served in the life guards in Kassel right into the 19. century.
King George was also ruler of Hannover. Hannoverian forces defended Gibraltar against the Spanish on one occasion in the 18. century. Do you know, if the British sent people from Hannover into the Revolutionary War ?
When I saw the title ia ssumed this was going to be about maybe the british trying to recruit from Hanover since that was also under the control of the British King at the time
We need a movie based on these men!
Thank you very much for bringing this not so known fact to the public
I have a question regarding this as well. In regards to the fact the British Royal Family were indeed German I would figure or guess they would also call upon Hanoverian Regiments for the crown. Though I am for any correction if needed
An interesting discussion would also be the practice (I'm not sure how common it was but it did happen) of enlisting native Americans in the regular British army regiments both during the French and Indian War and the Rev War.
I remember hearing a story about a Mohawk who joined the 44th or the 48th after Braddock's Defeat, was captured at Fort Oswego, and then paroled to England where he re-enlisted and then after the war received full pension
If I remember right someone told me that the 54th was mostly Irish... the regt was garrisoned in Ireland at some point.
The 54th had *some* Irish, about 60. But the rest were predominantly English.
I am a descendant of Hessians Captain David Johann Schmidt is one of my great grandfathers---many greats down, I don't remember off the top of my head :D
New sub. Love the content. One day, perhaps, you'll get to the 1810's when my people (Canada)... though still very much Great Britain... and yours fought against one another. It would be really cool to add how we've since become fast friends and allies.
Something also I found fascinating was also how many foreigners ended up serving in the royal navy. I was reading Master and Commander, which although is fiction is heavily based upon primary sources. In Aubrey's ship there are men from Sweden, Ireland, England, sub-saharan Africa, Germany, Greece, Russia and so forth.
At this time, whom a regiment or ship served was far more important and indicative than what nationality made up the army since this was a time of empire's rather than nation states.
"Raise new regiments..." It also would have been illegal at the time. Parliament strictly limited the number of regiments in the King's service, especially the number serving in GB proper. Hence the need to hire troops from other countries. Note that raising provincial units did NOT apply to this law.
Chris looking like a whole snack over here with that beard
My great-great-great-great-grandfather was a cavalryman in the 2nd Regt of Dragoons, KGL at the time of the Peninsular & Napoleonic wars.
My Great, great, great, great, grandfather was a Dragon officer in the Battle of New Orleans. Joseph Martial Walker. He later became friends of Andrew Jackson and and govoner in the 1850s.
Even today there is a lot of foreign nationals serving in the British Army, most commonwealth countries but also the Gurkahs and about 2000 men from the Republic of Ireland.
Are there any Hessian units re enacting? My Grandfather was born in the area comprising the Hessian State so maybe I should get involved.
Look into reenactment groups located in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania “Dutch” were actually German immigrants (probably descended from those Displaced by the 30 years war)
You’re more likely to find Hessian Re-enactment groups there than you are to find their equivalent in the Region of Hessel-Kassel in Germany
I am a descendant of Hessians that remained in the Americas after the war, settling as woodsmen and Farmers in the Great Lakes region
I’ve long been fascinated by the history of Friedrich Wilhelm August Heinrich Ferdinand von Steuben, known as Baron von Steuben, who was responsible for turning the Continental Army into a professional military. How many Germans fought on the American side and in what roles?
My ansestor Fredrick Praught was given a plot of land in what now is Prince Edward Island Canada in 1790.
Anyone with our last name in North America comes from our brave Hessian forefather.
Nice quarantine beard even tho it is FARB
It’s for my broke millennial impression, so it’s fine.
Excellent ! ! ! 🙂😎👍
Do a video on the Prussian officer who rode with confederate cavalry!
The tv show TURN took me here.
I wanted to get more information.
Ah yes, Don troiani has a good painting in his book, campaign to saratoga
Its said that the first Tanner of my family was John Torner, who was a German mercenary
The transition of Turner to Tanner probably occurred due to the first few national census when government census takers with a poor understanding of German had trouble distinguishing from profession and family name
Excellent video! Aside from the King’s German Legion and the Hessians, I never heard of Germans serving in the British Army. This is quite interesting. Do you know which campaign these German soldiers began serving in North America? 1776? 1777? Later?
I believe most of them embarked from Germany in 1776.
For a number of times German Soldiers saved the neck of the British Empire. The 7th son of George III was CO of "The Kings own Germans" who alone commanded 15.000 Germans at the battle of Waterloo who stopped the French until Marshal Blücher with 40.000 Prussians arrived.
My ancestors were German Palantines who emigrated to New York.
They fought with the Briyish and now called Loyalists. Because they were on the losing side ended up in Canada when their homes and land were seized by the Americans
I'm curious, why choose to divide the Germans between each regiment at all? It seems to me that, especially considering the language barrier, they would be pretty socially isolated from the Englishmen, and that that it would make more sense to keep them all together. Was it to prevent them from deserting? If so, was there a similar danger of Hessians deserting?
Great history
Hows quarantine?
Not great!
I didn't know that! Were all the German soldiers on the Royalist side Hanoverian?
They were run out of New York and set up in Ontario after the war. A century later one of the descendants moved to Iowa to farm
Hiring experienced troops is a time honoured tradition. PPCLI (last privately founded regiment in Canada) was orriginally made up of Boer War vets to save time and money getting the new regiment into the Great War.
Maybe it was Colonel Klink ^_^
Shame only the Hesse-Cassel troops are known, the Brunswickers, Anspach-Bayreuth, Anhalt-Zerbst, Waldeck, and Hesse-Hanau.
The US Army had several former wermacht soldiers after WW2. Kinda unrelated but just as interesting
Not to mention the King's German Legion during the Napoleonic wars. Mostly made up of hannoverian soldiers who fled after napoleon invaded the electorate of Hannover. There were a total of 14 Thousand men in the legion, with the legion having its own line and light,light and heavy infantry, it's own artilery and it's own cavalry.
I remember, before hiring Germans, the British considered hiring Russians from Catherine the great. I would have liked to known how that would have gone down. At least there was a German community within north America - so they weren't nearly as alien as the Russians would have been.
I am interested in the pronunciation of "Hessians" as Hesh- ians. I have never heard this said with a sh rather than an s sound , and I wonder what was the usual way of saying it back then.
That’s fairly standard pronunciation where I’m from.
It's definitely not German, but it's not a problem to understand, different regions have different phonetics. Greetings from Hessia.
how do you Englisize Humbarger?
This topic raises alot of questions so I'll just make it one word. Hanoverians?
What about them?
so you managed to blunder upon inglorious english verb conjugation. i have a list of verbs you may be familiar with.
fit (past tense fitted ? not fat?? ) shit (past tense shat?) shine (shawn?? shined? shone?? ashone?)
Words are hard.
Would Germans be considered Prussians in the Colonial era?
Pretty sure Prussians would be considered Prussians. All Prussians are German, but not all Germans are Prussians. Remember that Prussia is only one of multiple German states at this time.
@@ChristheRedcoat Okay my bad
Hessian was occupied by Prussia in the Prussian/Austrian War of 1865. Hessian,Saxon and Bavaria were allied with Austria. Hessian and Saxon became Prussian Provinces. Lower Saxony (Hannover) was also occupied and became Prussian. BTW The (present)Head of the House Hannover is married with Caroline of Monaco
You mean the Hannovarian Regiment
No I do not.
Don’t you see Pennsylvania Dutch, is not they are not Hessians?
I’m sorry, I don’t understand the question.
Weren't Hanoverians considered British subjects (Hanover was considered part of the British Realm) during this time, and therefore could enlist (or rather gang pressed) into the British military just as any Englishman could have?
Gang pressing was not a thing in the Army. That was more of a Navy thing, and even then it wasn’t quite what people think.
@@ChristheRedcoat Were Hanoverians considered British subjects, and what exactly was "Gang Pressing" during this time in Britain?
no since hanover was not acutally part of the great britain and the united kingdom, in fact it was technicaly an electorate in the holy roman empire, king george iii was infact seperatley electorate of hanover as well as king of enlgand scotlsnd and wales.
the electorate of hanover did have to technically provide units to reichsarmee of the holy roman if it was required.
Chris, I'm curious. Are you a formally educated historian or does your education lie in another field? Do you work in the capacity of a historian or an educator or is re-enacting a total break from your mundane life? I ask because I am a history buff myself, but my education and career are in public service. I'm curious to know how much of your body of knowledge is purely from being a hobbyist.
It is entirely from being a hobbyist. My degree is not related to history in any way, I’m just a guy who enjoys talking about history, and I use the hobby as a way to expand my knowledge and then pass on what I’ve learned.
@@ChristheRedcoat Thank you! Hopefully some day I can get involved in this hobby. I live in Georgia and there are no Revolutionary War period British Army re-enactment units here that I can find.
@@chriscoulter6089 You might try the 7th? They’re based out of SC I think but they have some membership in Georgia iirc.
@@ChristheRedcoat 7th Regiment of Foot?
Who is this strange, non-uniformed fellow hosting the show? :D
Don't shave
Tea-a-boos...
I humbly suggest the following: The fallacy is thinking that rulers identify at all with the lands/people they rule. He isnt the King of England, but the king of Hapsburg Fam, who will rule over any land he can get his hands on thru war or marriage. Given the choice between more power and and inbreeding- he will say 'Yes'. Courts have court languages so they dont have to deign to speak same language as local rabble
nerd
That is an astute observation of who I am, yes.
@@ChristheRedcoat joking you are very very epic man keep up the good content yh