Hessians Questioned Wealthy Colonists' Rebellion

When more than 8,600 German troops arrived on Staten Island in 1776, some Hessians struggled to understand why prosperous American colonists were rebelling against Britain. American historian Edward J. Lowell later wrote that "a colonist on Staten Island lived as comfortably as a German country gentleman," making the rebellion seem extraordinary to soldiers from a far more rigid society. Many Germans expected Britain to crush the uprising within a year or two and saw little reason to accept American offers of land in exchange for deserting. Instead, the war lasted until 1783, and thousands of the roughly 30,000 German troops who served died in combat or from disease.

Previous Fact Next Fact