Memoirs of Major General Riedesel, Volume 1 (edited/translated by Max von Eelking) is a historical memoir based on the writings and correspondence of Friedrich Adolf Riedesel, a German officer who served in the 18th century, most notably during the American Revolutionary War.
The volume presents Riedesel’s experiences as commander of German auxiliary troops—often referred to as “Hessians” in British service—deployed to North America in support of the British Crown. These forces were drawn from the military system of the Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg (not Hesse-Kassel itself, though often grouped under the broader term “German auxiliaries”).
A central focus of the memoir is the campaigns of the Northern Department of the war, including operations in Canada and along the Hudson River Valley. Riedesel provides detailed accounts of troop movements, logistical challenges, coordination with British commanders, and the difficulties of campaigning in unfamiliar terrain.
The narrative also emphasizes the Saratoga campaign of 1777, one of the most important turning points of the war. Riedesel and his troops were involved in the advance and eventual surrender of the British army under General Burgoyne, after which he became a prisoner of war. His perspective is particularly valuable for understanding the experience of German officers during captivity in North America.
Edited by Max von Eelking, the memoir combines first-hand correspondence, military reports, and retrospective commentary, making it both a personal narrative and a historical source compilation. Eelking’s editorial work situates Riedesel’s experiences within the broader context of 18th-century European military service abroad.
