German Redemptioners of the Lower Sort: Apolitical Soldiers in the American Revolution?

 

German Redemptioners of the Lower Sort: Apolitical Soldiers in the American Revolution?

“German Redemptioners of the Lower Sort: Apolitical Soldiers in the American Revolution?” by Anne Pfaelzer de Ortiz, published in the Journal of American Studies (Vol. 33, No. 2, August 1999, pp. 267–306), investigates the experiences of lower-ranking German soldiers—often termed “redemptioners”—who served in the American Revolutionary War. Ortiz examines the degree to which these troops were politically neutral or disengaged, analyzing their motivations, loyalties, and daily lives within the broader context of military service. Drawing on letters, muster rolls, and contemporary accounts, the article explores how social class, contractual obligations, and personal circumstance influenced the behavior of these soldiers. The study provides insight into the human dimension of German military participation, highlighting how ordinary soldiers navigated war, service abroad, and interactions with both British commanders and American civilians.