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Sale 82
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Lot 788
[American Revolution] 1781 Promotion for Hessian Soldier Signed by Frederick, Landgrave of Hesse. Manuscript document signed as Landgrave of Hesse, 1¼pp, 12½ x 8", Wabern, May 25, 1781. Promoting Hessian mercenary Johann Conrad Schraidt from First Lieutenant to Staff Captain in the Young Lossburg Regiment; this regiment was part of Von Mirbach's infantry regiment, which was among the earliest Hessian troops to arrive in America. Frederick II, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel from 1760 to 1785, raised money by hiring out soldiers (called "Hessians") to Great Britain to help fight the American Revolutionary War.
A translation of the document says, in full: "We Frederick, by the Grace of God Landgrave of Hesse, Prince of Hersfeld, Count of Katzenelnbogen, Diez, Ziegenhain, Nidda, Schaumburg and Hanau, Knight of the Royal Great British Order of the Garter as well as of the Royal Prussian Order of the Black Eagle, have named and promoted First Lieutenant Johann Conrad Schraidt of our regiment "Young Lossberg" to the rank of Staff Captain in recognition of his loyal rendered services, subservient good abilities and war experience. We do so by this patent in a way that he may stay loyal and obedient, will adequately fulfill his office, will follow the orders of his seniors by day and night, diligently and true, will not be distracted within all war affairs, will not fear danger, will act courageously and faultlessly and will in general behave as it is adequate for an honest and war-experienced officer and as his duties require in order to enjoy our gracious trust. In return we will protect and maintain his rank with all its privileges and will continue to show him our princely affection. In order to certify this we have signed this patent by our own hand and have stamped it with our princely seal. Given at Wabern the 25th May 1781. Friedrich Landgrave of Hesse."
The Regiment von Mirbach formed part of the von Linsingen Grenadier Battalion, which also included the 2nd Guard Regiment, the 3rd Guard Regiment, and the Leib Regiment. In 1775 Schraidt was appointed Ensign in von Mirbach's regiment. He was promoted to Second Lieutenant and First Lieutenant between 1776 and 1780, then in May 1781, by this document, he was promoted to Staff Captain in Von Mirbach's infantry regiment, referred to as "our regiment Jung von-Lossberg."
Some 30,000 German soldiers fought for the British during the American Revolutionary War. The first to arrive were about 18,000 Hessian troops who landed on Staten Island on August 15, 1776. Their first engagement was in the Battle of Long Island. Von Mirbach's brigade, with Schraidt leading the advanced guard, participated in the frontal attack through the Flatbush Pass, which was timed to coincide with the attack by the British flanking force of Clinton and Howe. The American Army was entrapped and and General George Washington barely managed to retreat to Manhattan with his troops during the night and under cover of fog.
The British use of non-English speaking, foreign, mercenary troops was seen as an insult by the Americans. They tried to entice the Hessians to desert by offering them land bounties. After the war, approximately 5,000 Hessians settled in the United States and Canada.
Estimated Value $3,000 - 5,000.
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| Realized $2,160 |
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