The Revolutionary War: Animated Battle Map

 The Revolutionary War: Animated Battle Map

See the Revolutionary War unfold, from Lexington to Yorktown and beyond, on our animated map, produced by Wide Awake Films in partnership with the American Battlefield Trust.

Special thanks to the American Revolution Institute of the Society of the Cincinnati for historical consultation and George Washington's Mount Vernon for live action footage.

Thanks to Dale Gallon for Historical Art; Robert Cloutier for digital animaton; and to The Krupp Foundation and the Archelis & Bodman Foundations for generous project funding.

0:00 The War Begins at Lexington & Concord 3:30 American Resolve Strengthens 5:55 The Declaration of Independence 6:49 The British Return and attack New York 8:44 Washington Crosses the Delaware River 10:35 The British Northern Strategy Fails 11:40 France signs an alliance with The United States 13:29 The Southern Offensive 15:59 Cornwallis Surrenders at Yorktown 17:05 Americans win Independence

 

AUDIO BOOK: Diary of the Hessian Hussar Regiment (13 August 1792 – 1 March 1794)

 

Diary of the Hessian Hussar Regiment (13 August 1792 – 1 March 1794)

Within these pages, listeners will experience vivid accounts of the regiment’s campaigns as the hussars rode headlong into the chaos of war. Through sharp observations and detailed descriptions, the diary reveals the hardships, strategies, and uncertainty faced by cavalry forces during the turbulent years of the French Revolutionary Wars.

More than a military chronicle, this journal offers a deeply human portrait of the soldiers themselves. It captures the camaraderie of the regiment, the exhaustion of long marches, the tension before battle, and the sacrifices endured by men serving far from home.

Rich in historical detail and narrated with the immediacy of a firsthand account, Tagebuch des Husarenregiments: 13. August 1792 – 1. März 1794 provides a rare window into the world of the Hessian hussars and the dramatic events that shaped late eighteenth-century Europe. Essential for enthusiasts of military history, cavalry warfare, and the age of the French Revolution, this diary brings the voices of the past vividly to life.

The manuscript is preserved in the Hessisches Staatsarchiv Marburg under the archival reference HStAM 10e II Nr. 19.

PURCHASE BOOK

The Saratoga Campaign | Animated Map Jun 14 – Oct 17, 1777

 

The Saratoga Campaign Animated Map Jun 14 – Oct 17, 1777

The Patriot success at Saratoga was one of the most influential results of the Revolutionary War. Horatio Gates' commanding victory over John Burgoyne kept the British from exercising their plan of cutting New England off from the rest of the Colonies, shifting their focus to the Southern Campaign. The American victory also convinced King Louis XVI of France to join the fight for American Independence. 

This animated battle map highlights the engagements at Fort Ticonderoga, Hubbardton, Fort Stanwix, Bennington and Saratoga.

Battle of Brandywine | Animated Map September 11, 1777

 

Battle of Brandywine | Animated Map September 11, 1777

On September 11, 1777, General George Washington was determined to prevent the British from capturing the American seat of government, Philadelphia. Taking up positions along Brandywine Creek, Washington mistakenly believed that his army blocked all fords across the Brandywine. Opposing Washington was Sir William Howe and an army of 15,500 British Regulars and Hessians. Howe's men had just finished a month long voyage from New York to Elkton, Maryland, via the sea. Hidden by heavy fog, the British moved into position. The American Battlefield Trust's Animated Map Collection tells the story of America’s defining conflicts through compelling story telling, state of the art graphics and live action video. The American Battlefield Trust preserves America’s hallowed battlegrounds and educates the public about what happened there and why it matters. We permanently protect these battlefields for future generations as a lasting and tangible memorial to the brave soldiers who fought in the American Revolution, the War of 1812, and the Civil War.

The Battle of Red Bank: Von Donop's Downfall

 

 The Battle of Red Bank: Von Donop's Downfall

In October 1777, two small undermanned forts on the Delaware River were all that were stopping the British from gaining complete control of the area around Philadelphia. But while the British attack had strength in numbers and a Royal Navy backup, it was led by the impulsive Colonel von Donop, a man determined to regain his honor at all costs. https://www.battlefields.org/untold

The Hessians: George III's German Mercenaries

 

The Hessians: George III's German Mercenaries

The Hessians were one of the most feared armies in 18th Century Europe. This elite group of soldiers from modern-day Germany traveled to America to fight for the British in the Revolutionary War. But more than 3,000 of their number never returned home, ending a century-long Hessian history as troops for hire. https://www.battlefields.org/untold

Hessen-Kassel Miniature Wargaming

Blunders on the Danube

Hessian Grenadier Battalion #1, American Revolutionary War

 

For my own convenience, this battalion is composed of 3 figures each in the uniforms of my 4 Musketeer regiments. 

Hessian (Hesse-Cassel) infantry regiments were composed of single battalions, each with 5 Musketeer or Fusilier companies, and one company of Grenadiers. 

The Grenadier companies of four different infantry regiments were combined to form each Gfenadier battalion. 

While the Grenadier battalions did not ordinarily carry standards, I have loaned them one of the all white Leibcompagnie colors, which were carried by the first company of each line battalion (the other four companies carried the colored standards). 

Miters are so 1700's! :-)

The Grenadier battalions saw action at most of the many battles that the Hessian troops fought during the American Revolutionary War. 

Vorwarts!

These are Perry figures with a flag by Adolfo Ramos. 

Thursday, April 9, 2026

Hessian Leib Musketeer Regiment

This rather flashy regiment was raised in 1700.

It has yellow collars, cuffs, lapels, waistcoats, and breeches.

It fought st the battles of White Plains, Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth Courthouse, Connecticut Farms, and Springfield. 

This regimental flag is by Adolfo Ramos. Other sources show it as being purple and white. 

Drummers had purple facings, and white lace with a purple stripe. The drum hoops were purple and white. 

The regimental colonel was (officially) none other than Landgraf Friedrich II himself; in 1783 it passed to his son, Erbprinz Wilhelm, and became known as the Erbprinz regiment. 

Overall, a most striking unit!

Saturday, March 28, 2026

Hessian Musketeer Regiment Von Trumbach

This regiment was first raised in 1701; in 178 its colonel changed to GM Carl Ernst Johann von Bose, and it was thence known as Musketeer Regiment von Bose. 

The regimental uniform had white collar, cuffs, lapels, waistcoats, and breeches. 

Drummer's uniforms had yellow lace with a narrow red stripe, and the drum hoops were red and white with a narrow blue stripe. 

The regimental flag is by Flags of War. I actually think I have accidentally reversed the flags between this unit and Musketeer regiment . Considering the small difference between white and paille, I don't think I will worry about it! 

The regiment fought at the battles of Forts Clinton and Montgomery, Connecticut Farms, Springfield, Guilford Courthouse, Green Springs, and Yorktown.

These are Perry figures once again. 

After the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, General Lord Cornwallis wrote the the regiment "deserves my warmest praises for its discipline, alacrity, and courage...". 

Yes, this regiment has a re-enactor group.

Hmm, I may have to try adding that red line to the drummer's lace!

Grenadiers of the Regiment von Bose/von Trumbach in the snow!

Sunday, March 22, 2026

Hessian Musketeer regiment Von Donop

This regiment traces its origins back to 1687.

It fought at the Battles of Long Island, Fort Washington, Brandywine Germantown, Monmouth Courthouse, Connecticut Farms, and Springfield. 

The regimental flag is by Flags of War in the UK. 

The regiment had paille (off white) collars, cuffs, lapels, waistcoats, and breeches.

These are Perry figures. 

Drummers had yellow lace with a red stripe, and red and blue drum hoops. 

Thursday, February 26, 2026

Hessian Musketeer Regiment Von Wutginau

 The Hessians are coming!

The number of troops that the British felt were needed to quash the rebellion of he 13 colonies exceeded what they were capable of fielding without excessively draining the defenses of its other territories. Hence the contract with Hesse-Cassel to provide 12,000 men for service in North America, concluded January 15, 1776.

The troops to be provided were 4 Grenadier battalions, 15 Line Infantry battalions (each with two 3 lber guns and crew), 2 Jager companies, along with supporting Generals and staff. 

The first wave of Hessian troops, 8,000+ men strong, arrived in New York on August 12, 1776. Troops contracted from several other German principalities also participated in the American Revolutionary War, most notably about 4,00 men from Brunswick-Wolfenbuettel, which formed almost half of General Burgoyone's army in 1776.

These men are from the Von Wutingau Musketeer regiment, which arrived in the second wave of Hessian troops in October, 1776. It became the Landgraf regiment in late 1776, and then the Leib infantry regiment in 1783. 

It participated in fighting at Fort Washington, Rhode Island, Tyron's Raid, Connecticut Farms, and Springfield. These are Perry figures with a flag from Flags of War. 

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Hessian Feldjagers, American Revolutionary War

This is the first unit of what will be a fairly large German ("Hessian") contingent as part of my forces for the American War of Independence. 

The British really did commit a very large force in their attempt to crush the rebellion of the American colonies.  However, it was recognized that the existing forces available were inadequate to the task, especially considering the other demands on the British military. Therefore, they negotiated a treaty with the Landgrave of Hessen Kassel, which was signed on January 15, 1776. Bu its terms, the Landgrave agreed to provide a force of 12,000 men for service in North America.

Perhaps the most famous of these were the Hessian Jagers, who were experienced men armed with rifles. 

The first Hessian troops departed May 6, 1776, and arrived on Staten Island in New York in early August of that year. 

The Jagers had a very distinguished record during the war, and were well respected by both their British allies and the opposing Patriots. These are Perry figures. 

At times the legwear varied from tan or brown to dark green. The vests and jackets were dark green, with crimson facings. Belts were brown. Officers were distinguished by gold trim to their facings.

There is a US re-enactor group for this unit; here are some of the men at an event. Note the silver and red sash of the officer, as well as the gold trim on the facings. I'd call this shade of red scarlet more than crimson, but it looks sharp regardless. 

Another picture from their site, showing the hornist with his quite large hunting horn. There are various depictions of the colors of the cords used on the horns.