The Black Hessians: Negroes Recruited by the Hessians in South Carolina and Other Colonies

 

The Black Hessians: Negroes Recruited by the Hessians in South Carolina and Other Colonies

“The Black Hessians: Negroes Recruited by the Hessians in South Carolina and Other Colonies” by George Fenwick-Jones, published in The South Carolina Historical Magazine (Vol. 83, No. 4, October 1982, pp. 287–302), examines the recruitment and service of African-descended soldiers by Hessian forces during the American Revolutionary War. Fenwick-Jones explores how Hessian commanders enlisted enslaved and free Black men, the roles these soldiers were assigned, and the social, military, and logistical challenges associated with integrating them into European-style regiments. Using contemporary records, muster rolls, and correspondence, the article highlights the tactical employment, treatment, and motivations of these troops, offering insight into an often-overlooked dimension of Revolutionary War military operations. The study contributes to a broader understanding of Hessian forces, colonial military recruitment practices, and the intersection of race and warfare in the 18th century.