The Hessian Occupation of Newport and Rhode Island, 1776-1779

Who were the Hessians? Where did they come from? Were all Hessians truly Hessians? Were they mercenaries or auxiliary troops of the British? This well-researched historical narrative answers these questions and more as it vividly portrays the events of the Rhode Island campaign, which lasted from December 8, 1776 to October 25, 1779. Information gleaned from source diaries and unit journals, originally recorded in German, provide a wealth of insight into the daily life of the German soldiers who were committed to the Rhode Island campaign. In light of modern travel and technology, it is difficult to imagine the perilous two-month journey across the Atlantic to America that was just the beginning of the hardships, dangers, and fears to be experienced by these eighteenth-century German soldiers. The 1776 occupation of Newport, troop movements, raids and incursions, the Treaty of Paris, the 1778 siege of Newport, the Battle of Rhode Island, and much more are examined in detail. A bibliography and an index add to the value of this work.