LETTER OF A HESSIAN OFFICER

to the ruling Landgrave Frederick of Hesse-Kassel,

Long Island, 1 September 1776

(most probably written by Colonel Heringen of the Regiment ‘Von Schenck’)

translated by Geert van Uythoven

“(…) On 9 May we sailed from St. Helena, and after having survived many storms and other difficulties we dropped anchor before Staten Island on 15 August. The storm with Whitsun, which lasted four days and four nights, was one of the most terrible, and the ship ‘Union’, on which I was, was in danger more then once for being send to the bottom by other ships. The rudder had been fastened, al sails had been struck, and we were left at the mercy of the waves. The fleet was completely dispersed, and we saw no other ship of it in 48 hours.

When the storm was gone, the Commandeur held a rendezvous on a certain height for three days. Frigates were send out many miles, as well as cannon were fired as a signal, to gather the scattered ships again. Most of them indeed returned, except for nineteen or twenty of them which had put into Halifax, and we found these ships when arriving there on 7 July. Halifax, still in our hands at this moment, is situated about 6 – 700 English miles from Staten Island. However, our peril was not over yet. We had to survive two additional storms, accompanied by terrible thunderstorms, and these are much more fearful then in Europe, on water as well as on land. They are accompanied by hurricanes, which shatter nature. We found ourselves in dangerous sea currents, which took us south even without any storm. This prolonged our journey substantially, increased our diseases, and scurvy became common. Many men still have paralysed limbs, and some of them died as well, but not from your regiment.

We finally suffered from lack of the most necessary things, even the officers, as we were not prepared for such a long journey. Our provisions were exhausted, including the wine, and we had to settle for ordinary ship’s food. We especially suffered the lack of water. It did not only smell badly. It had a bad taste altogether, while the fleet used royal barrels only, new ones made of oak wood, which of course worked and leaked. We were not allowed to disembark in Halifax, and not to take in fresh water as well. During a long time, six men received three field bottles of water for two days, and on most ships this water had to be filtrated five or six times with a copper machine first, before it was drinkable. Each man received daily only seventeen ‘Loth’ of bread, which is called ship-biscuit. Most of this is rotten and mouldy because of the seawater that has leaked in. The waves broke over the whole deck, and the water ran into even the lowest spaces. The captain of the ship had to meet his account, so it had to be eaten. The beds of the soldiers broke down in the storm. Beds, soldiers, weapons, field equipment and other things were all mixed up. In addition came the sea sickness; the poor men had to remain standing up during the storm and had to hold on to each other; nothing could be repaired during the storm; field bottles, field-kettles were compressed and made useless. An immeasurable amount of rats, which ate our tents, equipment, even our cartridges and the few provisions we had left, made our despair even greater. They even gnawed holes in the casks which held our water. But God has preserved us, as no ship has been lost. The Division of General von Kniphausen has not arrived yet.

Now I have to report you about our military operations. As has been said already, we landed on Staten Island on 15 August. This island has an outline of about 27 English miles. It was already occupied by General Howe with English troops. Beside our fleet, consisting of over a hundred sails, we found General Howe with over four hundred sails in the bay. Partially supply-, partially transport-, partially warships. It is being said that the warships consist of 19 ships of the line and 64 frigates, which are forming a triple cordon along the whole coast of America. Present here at the moment are ten ships of the line and twenty frigates, not counting the bomb vessels and fire ships. The land forces present here consist of 16,000 English and two light cavalry regiments. The troops look very smart and are in good condition. Their artillery park consists of forty heavy cannon, beside a huge amount of mortars and howitzers.

Staten Island lies directly opposite Long Island. Between them lies the bay, with a width of about one English mile, in which our ships are. The only reason we were disembarked on Staten Island was to enable us to recover a bit. After a few days a corps of English, to which our grenadier corps and our jäger under Colonel von Donop were attached, were ferried across to take post. The rebels had occupied the island with a strong force, and it was believed that they would dispute our crossing. Therefore some warships had formed order of battle to cover the crossing. The infantry corps crossed on flat boats, in order of battle and in line, with muskets in their hands. It happened on a beautiful morning at 9 o’clock, and was a beautiful sight for the spectators on Staten Island. The rebels fired not one shot, left the bank, and directed their anger against some granaries, which the torched. The corps consolidated.

On 25 August all Hessians and more English crossed, except for four regiments. The Leib-Regiment, ‘Prinz Carl’, ‘Ditfurth’ and ‘Trimbach’ under the command of Colonel von Loβberg remained on Staten Island and are still there. The 26th was a resting day; on the same day however I myself, with two cannon and three hundred men exclusive prima plana, were commanded to take up an advanced post on the left wing of the army. I have relieved the Scots, which had a few dead and wounded. My cannon however and some small arms fire held the riflemen in such respect that I suffered no loss.

On the 28th [27th?] the army marched out of camp, left all tents standing, and send back their equipage. The enemy stood on some dominating heights, of which the tops were covered with thick wood. The regiments advanced up the slope with great bravery and the highest order, music playing and colours flying, blowing the ‘hautboisten’ as well. They pulled the cannon, despite their heavy weight, up that same slope as well. The enemy fired fiercely, but all aimed too high. As soon as the heights were reached the regiments dressed ranks. The flankers and volunteers were placed ‘à la tête’, and in this way the enemy was attacked and soon driven from all its positions. The regiments marched after the flankers all the time without firing one shot, having shouldered their muskets. These have won the action on their own. The enemy had impassable brushwood, lines, ‘abatis’ and redoubts in front of him. The riflemen were for the greater pinned to the trees with bayonets; these terrible fellows deserve pity instead of fear. They need a quarter of an hour to reload their rifle, and in that period of time they feel our bullet or bayonet.

The Hessian corps has captured one colour and five cannon, and made five hundred prisoners among which were General Milord Sterling and John Sulivan. The latter is a lawyer, a servant before that, but he is a genius and his loss will be regretted by the rebels. He was found not a hundred paces from my position by three fusiliers from Kniphausen, in a corn field where he was hiding. Among the prisoners are many so-called colonels, lieutenant-colonels and majors, also other officers, but merely consisting of labourers, tailors, shoemakers, wig-makers, barbers, etc. Some of them have been severely beaten by our men, as they did not want to regard them as real officers. Sulivan was in command, under him Putnam and Sterling; Putnam is said to be dead, but we are not able to find his body. Sulivan was brought to me so I ordered to search him, and found the original orders by General Washington on him. From these it appears that he had the best [rebel] troops under his command, that holding the woods would be all-important, and that he had been 8,000 men strong.

I did not have the honour to lead your regiment into battle, but the lieutenant-colonel did. Like I said before, during the affair I had to cover the left flank. Overall the regiment, like all other regiments, had behaved very brave, with which I would like to congratulate you with all my heart. It has taken eight officers and sixty men prisoner. Our total loss consists of a grenadier and a jäger killed, and ten or twelve slightly wounded. Among the latter is Captain Donop of the Jäger. Your regiment has not lost one drop of blood. The English have 150 dead and wounded. Cause of this is their disorderly attack, more then the bravery of the enemy. Inside the woods it is a terrible sight. There are at least 2,000 dead and wounded there. The English did not gave much pardon, and constantly encouraged our men to act the same way. In general we have found eight to nine hundred prisoners, among which are over a hundred officers. Colonel John of the rebels is dead; a grenadier took him prisoner and graciously granted him his life. He told him to go to the battalion following him (as the grenadier was a flanker). The colonel tried to murder him treacherously from behind, secretly pulled a pistol, but only hit the arm of the grenadier, who regaled him with three or four bayonet trusts.

Among the officers made prisoner we found not a single one who had been in foreign service. They are all rebels, and residing citizens. Tailor Greuel would have played a major role here. Milord Sterling is here only an ‘echappé de famille’, and is not treated as such in England. He looks just like milord Gramby, like on egg resembles another. General Putnam is a butcher of profession; I picture him as the butcher Fischer in Rinteln. The rebels desert very often, and it is no exception of noticing colonels, lieutenant-colonels and major with whole troops to arrive. The colour that was captured is made from red damask with the motto ‘Liberty’ on it. It belonged to a group of sixty men which opposed the Regiment ‘Rall’. They had shouldered their rifles in the wrong way, with their hats under their arms, and fell on their knees pleading for their lives. No regiment is properly equipped or armed. Everyone has a private rifle [‘Haus-Gewehr’], like the Hessian citizens marching out on Whitsun. The only exception is the Regiment ‘Sterling’, which was in blue with red facings, three battalions strong, mostly Germans raised in Pennsylvania. These are smart and big men, armed with very good English rifles with bayonets. This regiment encountered the English, who mistook them in the bushes for Hessians, so they did not open fire. Their mistake cost them their Colonel Grand, a few other officers and eighty men. It was a general volley. The English reformed and attacked with they bayonet, defeating everything before them. What not was massacred, was taken prisoner; the whole [rebel] regiment was ruined. The rebel artillery is bad, mostly of iron and badly served, fixed on ships gun-carriages.

On the 27th [28th?] our advance started early. Arriving at the plain however we found new retrenchments, with such double and triple lines and redoubts that the commanding generals did not dare to storm them sword in hand. De redoubts had been constructed by a masterly hand, were palisaded and had casemates. The defence works were covered with grass, and the ditches were wide and had palisades as well. They had worked on this defences for over two years, so one would have to open trenches and to start a regular siege to overcome them. They were occupied by 10,000 fresh troops, which had seen no fighting yet. The right wing rested on three small islands, lying in the North river. These islands are high, and on each of them lies a fortress build from cut stone. The islands covered the mouth of the North river, on which bank lies New York. One cannot reach New York across the water without possession of these islands. Immediately behind this city lies a height, on which one could observe the remaining part of their army which camped there. The North River is not wider then the Weser is near Rinteln. Communication with the city is guaranteed by many pontoon bridges, flat boats and ferries. Who would not have believed that such an advantageous post would be defended? We already started to raise our batteries, as well for throwing bombs as for heavy artillery, however unexpectedly they struck camp during the night of the 28 to 29th. We captured a huge amount of provisions, five cannon, as well as many life stock. The provisions were nearly al inside of their casemates, many thousands casks of rum, bread, wine, flesh, etc. To bad we did not take many prisoners, but they had too much means to cross their troops quickly.

The three islands have been abandoned today. Yesterday they raised white flags which flew the whole day. I do not know what conditions have been agreed upon. Our warships are now able to reach New York if they want, then although the river is rather small, it is deep enough to give access to the biggest ships. During the night from the 30th to the 31st, I was commanded to stand with your whole regiment on a height dominating the North river, directly opposite New York. I observed that the rebel camp on the other cite of the city was still present, and close to the river bank I saw a smaller one, of about two battalions strong. Although it was already starting to become dark, I saluted the camp with several cannon shots. The shots were directed so well that the enemy immediately struck camp and retreated. Next morning at daybreak, I observed that the whole enemy army had retreated. I was the first to report this to General Howe by Lieutenant Zoll. The general himself, as well as the admiral, honoured me with their presence. I witnessed their deliberations, which resulted in the decision to occupy the other side of New York with warships immediately (the New York is an island, about fourteen English miles long).

I have to dispatch this letter today, then General Heister has made it known that all letters have to be in headquarters today if they have to be send with the packet-boat. It seems that the rebels do not plan to burn their cities and villages, as they had threatened to do. Then New York has been completely evacuated by them, without one house being razed. The city has a very beautiful layout. The houses however are build very close to each other. It seems at first glance to be just as big as Prussian Minden. Yesterday, while on command, I was able to see the people passing down the streets. I was even able to see with the naked eye what the colour of their clothes was. The provinces themselves disagree with each other. I have read several American newspapers, noticing that the events in the general congress are the same as in the parliament of England. One reads a lot of pathetic speeches, by one party against the other. One is expecting General Bourgoyne, with the Brunswickers, a lot of Canadians and savages. They have passed Lake St. George twelve days ago, about fifty German miles from here. In addition two American princes of the Iroquois are in our camp. They look magnificent in their local clothing. They have inspected all Hessian regiments, and have arrived to express their devotion to the king. I believe these are the reasons of the speedily retreat of the rebel army, in order not to be cut off.

The way battle is waged over here is very special. We stay constantly two men strong, and do not fall down. The flankers have to take the brunt of the fighting, and as there are many watches and purses to acquire, the whole regiment wants to act as flanker. I wish to get rid of our caps; we are send into the thickest bushes, in a hot climate as well. Many of these caps of all regiments have already been lost in the bushes. The sabres are carried across the shoulder, so that the men can leave their waistcoat unbuttoned. We must melt in our puffed coats altogether. The English have been clothed according to the hot climate, with very short and light coats and long linen trousers, down to the shoes. The officers are clothed the same as the men, they wear the same distinctions. The latter we have copied, or have ordered to be copied, to secure the officers for the riflemen. These rascals [sic!] climb up trees, lie in the high grass, and lie in wait for the officers. These however march inside the closed battalion, and those that are with the flankers are armed with bayonet and musket, so that the officers cannot be distinguished from the men.

There is some species of mosquito’s here which are a terrible plague to us. Our thighs feel this with the linen breeches. Their stitches become wounds when one scratches, but then the itching is nearly unbearable. The long and wide trousers worn by the English soldiers and the local civilians provide security; then because these are so wide, the mosquito’s cannot reach the flesh beneath. Our tents are still a main incommodity. Comparable bad goods we never had in our life. The rain showers here are always complete cloud-bursts. From colonel to common soldier, we al must swim when it rains. Even the double tents are penetrable like a sieve. Health and equipment got lost. Our marches are very exhausting. When we pitch camp, we must transport all tents, all officer-equipment, and all provisions for six, eight to ten English miles on the backs of soldiers and servants. Often a fellow has to cover this distance two or three times, before everything has been brought into camp. This is not only extraordinary fatiguing, but huge and small equipment is already in a thousand pieces. It even happened that the men had to pull the cannon from one camp to the next one. The provisions are very good. Nice English beer, the best rum instead of brandy, tobacco, fine flour. The regiments however have to take care of baking the bread themselves, and when we have to march the flour is divided among the men. Salted pork and beef is all of the best quality. The officers and servants receive their share together with the men.

If we would be opposed by a brave enemy, they would maybe attack us when we are occupied by fetching our provisions and tents. To our luck we are fighting a nation which does not know what a real war means. Since we control Long Island the situation became better. This is the garden of whole North-America, and although the rebels have killed much cattle and horses, or took it with them, there is still much hidden in the woods. The vehicles of the royal artillery and the provision wagons still need horse teams, before they will join the field artillery. I took care to provide horse teams for those of your regiment, and they have fine ones. In addition, one has started to provide teams to a regiment for three or four days, to fetch their tents and equipment. When the are not able to take everything with them, they just have to make the trip several times. The wagons are very small, drawn by two horses. In addition, one has started to deliver live cattle to the regiments. Right now I have twenty fat cows going behind the regiment, and it seems we will not die from starvation.

I have to give you an idea of Long Island. It is about thirty German miles long, and two to three, at many places four miles wide. The island is completely controlled by us. It is very cultivated and full of cattle and fruit. Staten Island is more then sufficient to nourish us this summer and the whole winter, even if we will not conquer a feet width of additional land. Of course in Germany we have lands as well, which are just as good, if not better, like for example the Austrian lands, Bavaria, Saxony, the area around Frankfurt, Nuremberg, Erfurt, etc. Most of the summer heat should have past now, and temperature is not higher as it would be with us during the dog days [i.e. the time from 19 July until 18 August, the hottest time of the year]. Except when there are thunderstorms, which unfortunately is every second or third day. The sun is usually oppressive, and the air is so sultry that it is difficult to breath.

Just right now we had to provide a command of a hundred men for one of the islands. Among them is the Ensign Hille of your regiment. This island is called Government-Island, it has an outline of about an English mile. The garrison has been allowed to depart; it seems to much prisoners is too much of a burden. We found on this island, which is the biggest, ten iron 32-pdr cannon, beside many provisions. Both generals made prisoner, as well as the remaining prisoners have been divided among the ships. I cannot tell if they will be send to England. Between the continent and York Island, two ships of the line should be in position, to prevent any crossing of the rebel army to the mainland, called New Jersey. It is said that their army is still 50,000 men strong. If it would be possible to prevent them to cross, they have no choice then to lay down their arms.

I send you some American banknotes, of which we captured many thousands. However, none of the residing civilians will give one ‘Heller’ for them in return. The rebels lack ready money, clothing and salt. There clothes consist of blue dyed, or also grey linen, and well very short like waistcoats. The have an enormous amount of sick, and although they took with them nearly anyone they could, we were able to ascertain the total amount out of the numerous hospitals we found on the island. They left behind al hospital equipment and field-dispensaries. Our regimental surgeons have plundered these, and our dispensaries have received their share. All hospitals have been torched by us, to prevent spreading contagious diseases to us by persons walking in and out of them.”

Source: Militair-Wochenblatt, 18. Jahrgang (Berlin 1833), No. 863, pp. 4854-4856, and No. 864, pp. 4858-4859.

© Geert van Uythoven