The Riedesels - "My Hard Won Reputation Is Sacrificed"

On October 22, 1777, Brigadier-General John Glover notified state officials that the British force surrendered at Saratoga was on its way to Massachusetts.  Over 2,000 British troops would come by way of Northampton, and 2,198 "foreign troops" would come by way of Springfield. [1]  Those foreign troops were German, and in an age before a unified Germany they were often referred to as "Hessians", though most were from the principality of Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel.  For four months they fought along side their British comrades, and after the surrender on October 17, 1777, they shared their fate as prisoners of the Convention Army.

The commander of Burgoyne's German troops was Major-General Friedrich Adolph Riedesel, age 39.  Like Lieutenant-General John Burgoyne he was a cavalry officer, had fought in Europe during the Seven Years War, and had distinguished himself through his bravery in battle.  

Riedesel, unlike Burgoyne, was with his troops for most of the march of the Convention Army.  Though he traveled with Burgoyne to Albany after the surrender, he stayed there for only a few days, and then joined his troops at Kinderhook, New York, for the remainder of their journey - and captivity.  On October 21st, while in Albany, Riedesel took some time to write a report on the conclusion of the campaign to the Duke of Brunswick, much as Burgoyne had done the day before to Lord George Germain.  

Riedesel was critical of Burgoyne.  The five weeks spent transporting supplies and baggage he argued, had given the shattered American army that fled from Fort Ticonderoga and Mount Independence time to regroup and bring in reinforcements.  It was Burgoyne's decision that the army continue on to Albany, and to take his wounded, baggage and artillery with him when the decision was made to retreat north on October 8th and 9th.  The first decision was made without Riedesel's input, the second over his objection.  The result, Riedesel wrote, was that: "... my hard won reputation in Germany is sacrificed to other people, and I consider myself the most unfortunate mortal on earth." [2]

Riedesel's reputation was earned through a lifetime of service in the army.  He had been born into a distinguished family on June 3, 1738.  While studying as a law student, he decided to become an army officer.  Shortly after doing so, his regiment was sent to England, where it remained until 1756 and the outbreak of the Seven Years War (manifested in North America in what is referred to as the "French and Indian War").  Though commissioned as a cavalry officer, he served for the most part as a staff officer.  He was rewarded for his performance at the Battle of Minden in 1759, where a combined British and German army defeated French forces, with being selected to carry news of the victory to court.  On another occasion, when the horse he was riding was killed by artillery fire, his bravery in mounting another horse and continuing his duties was rewarded by the enemy, which sent him a fine horse and saddle after the battle as a replacement. [3]

In 1762 Riedesel married Frederica Von Massow, the daughter of a commissary general.  Together they had nine children, two of whom were born in North America.  In 1777, she and their three surviving children of the five born before he left for Canada joined him during the Saratoga campaign, and were present at the surrender and for the march of the Convention Army.  Together, as a family, they would remain in North America until 1783.  Riedesel's letters to his wife provide insight on Riedesel the husband and father.  Writing on February 22, 1776, when he departed Germany for North America, he shared with her: "Dearest Wife:  Never have I suffered more than upon my departure this morning.  My heart was broken; and could I have gone back who knows what I might have done.  But, my darling, God has placed me in my present calling, and I must follow it.  Duty and honor force me into this decision, and we must be comforted by this reflection and not murmur...  I have this evening bee raised to the rank of major-general.  Therefore, my own Mrs. General, take good care of your health, in order that you may follow me as quickly as possible after your happy delivery." [4]

Early on in the campaign, Riedesel and his troops were tasked to capture Mount Independence in present-day Orwell, Vermont, on the east side of Lake Champlain.  The fort had been built the summer before, and was armed with cannon that fired iron cannonballs ranging from thirty-two to nine pounds in weight. [5]  Together with the fortifications on the New York side of the lake at Fort Ticonderoga, it had presented a sufficient obstacle in 1776 to convince British Major-General Sir Guy Carleton to abandon his pursuit of the the Northern Army which had retreated south from Canada that summer, but retained control over the southern portion of the Champlain Valley.

Mount Independence is now a Vermont state historic site, open daily from late May to mid-October, with a museum that displays a number of artifacts from its period of occupation as a fort, and six miles of hiking trails.  On Labor Day weekend it will host its annual "Soldiers Atop The Mount" living history weekend, where re-enactors portraying some of the original defenders of the Mount will open their camp to visitors, and share their knowledge of the Revolutionary War.  A trip to the Mount gives visitors a chance to see some of the challenges and terrain that Riedesel and his men faced during the Saratoga campaign.

[1] Glover's Marblehead Regiment, p. 12.

[2] "Baron Riedesel's Letter to the Duke of Brunswick October 21, 1777", National Historical Park Transcription, pp. 1 and 5, accessed online at: http://npshistory.com/publications/sara/riedesels-letter.pdf.  Burgoyne later wrote that it was Riedesel's idea to send a detachment, most of which was captured, to Bennington in August. Expedition From Canada, Narrative, p. 18.

[3] Riedesel Memoirs, Vol. 1., pp. 2-7.

[4] Riedesel Memoirs, Vol. 1., p. 30.

[5] Riedesel, Memoirs, Vol. 1., pp. 111-112, and 294.  Riedesel described the fortifications at Mount Independence, likely based on information gathered for the British in May of 1777, as follows: "(a.) North of the mountain is a strong abatis where twelve cannons are posted; one of which is a thirty-two-pounder, and the rest are eighteen, and twelve-pounders. All of the works are surrounded by a strong abatis, (b.) One hundred yards from the works are smaller fortifications, in which three eighteen-pounders and three twenty-four-pounders are placed. (c.) South of these works are barracks and palisades; and in front of them is another abatis. In the rear of the former are eight nine-pounders. Besides these, there are twelve more nine and twelve-pounders, designed for the defense of the barracks. These, however, are not yet mounted. N.B. According to late news, twenty cannons have been taken to a battery, in a northerly direction, at the foot of the fort, with a view of commanding the lake. These are twelve and eighteen-pounders. (d.) There are a few cannons on the half-moon battery, which defend en barbette...".

Next Week: The German Route - "We Marched To Neustadt"

For more on the Convention Army's 1777 march from Saratoga to Boston, see:

1777 March Blog Home          Overnight Stopping Points          Towns and Villages Along the Way

 Annotated Bibliography