Die Hessen und die andern deutschen Hilfstruppen im Kriege Gross-Britanniens gegen Amerika, 1776–1783 by Edward J. Lowell is a historical study of German auxiliary forces—commonly referred to as “Hessians”—who served under British command during the American Revolutionary War.
The book examines the role of troops drawn primarily from the Landgraviate of Hesse-Kassel, along with other German principalities, which provided subsidized military contingents to Great Britain during the conflict. These forces formed a significant portion of British land strength in North America.
A central focus is the military deployment and operational use of German auxiliary troops, including their participation in major campaigns such as New York, New Jersey, the southern colonies, and Saratoga. The work outlines their organization, battlefield performance, and integration into British command structures.
The study also addresses the political and financial system of subsidy treaties, explaining how German states leased troops to Britain in exchange for payments, supplies, and diplomatic advantages. It situates this practice within the broader norms of 18th-century European warfare.
Another key theme is the experience and perception of Hessian soldiers, including issues of discipline, morale, captivity, and desertion, as well as American attitudes toward these foreign troops.
