Friedrich Adolph Riedesel who, like all adult men of his family, carried the title "Freiherr (Baron)zu Eisenbach" (1738 - 1800) was commander of a regiment of soldiers from the Duchy of Brunswick, who were among the German units hired by the British during the American Revolution. They were known generically as "Hessians", though Riedesel was in the employ of the Duke of Brunswick. He and his wife were captured when General John Burgoyne surrendered after the Battle of Saratoga in 1777. Events January 1 - Bouvet Island is discovered by French explorer Jean-Baptiste Charles Bouvet de Lozier. ... 1800 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... John Burgoyne John Burgoyne (February 24, 1723–August 4, 1792) was a British general during the American Revolutionary War. ... The Battle of Saratoga is considered, by many historians, to have been the turning point of the American Revolutionary War and one of the most decisive battles in history. ... 1777 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ...

Beginning with memoirs published by one of his sons-in-law, the General came to be referred to as "von Riedesel." This is historically incorrect. From its earliest known members in the 13th century down to the present, family members rarely used the predicate "von" in their name.

He was born into a family of the minor German nobility, the second son of Johann Wilhelm Riedesel, Freiherr zu Eisenbach (1705-1782) and Sophia von Borcke (1705-1769). His birth on June 3, 1738 and early education both took place at the family home of Hohhaus in Lauterbach, Hesse. His parents disagreed about his education, his mother wanted him prepared for a religious career, while his father sought a legal education and diplomatic service. Either of these was a proper career for a younger son. June 3 is the 154th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (155th in leap years), with 211 days remaining. ... Lauterbach is the name of many towns in Germany. ... With an area of 21,110 km² and just over six million inhabitants, Hesse (German Hessen) is one of Germanys sixteen federal states (Bundesländer). ...

Bowing to his father's wishes, when 15 years old, he left for the study of law at the university in Marburg. Friedrich was an indifferent student, but spent time watching the Landgrave of Hesse troops drill. An officer who had seen his interest befriended him, and later tricked him into enlisting. He was told that his father had consented to his enlistment, so at 17 he joined the Marburg battalion, only to have his allowance cut off when his angry father learned of it. Marburg is a city in Hesse, Germany, on the Lahn river. ...

His first assignment in London was short lived, and his regiment returned to Germany for the Seven Years' War in 1759. He distinguished himself in battle, and gained the attention of Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick and Frederick the Great. By 1761 he was in command of two Brunswick regiments as their Colonel. London is the capital city of the United Kingdom and of England. ... 1759 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Karl Wilhelm Ferdinand Karl Wilhelm Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick (October 9, 1735 - November 10, 1806), German general, was born at Wolfenbüttel. ... Frederick the Great Frederick II of Prussia (Friedrich der Große Frederick the Great (January 24, 1712 – August 17, 1786) was a Hohenzollern king of Prussia 1740–86. ... 1761 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ...

In August of 1762 he was wounded in battle against the French, and sent back to Minden to recover. There, he as cared for by the von Massow family, and nursed by their daughter Charlotte. In December the couple wed at Paderborn, and settled in Wolffenbüttel, where thy lived quietly for several years. During these years, Riedesel commuted to Brunswick, where has was adjutant to the Duke. He also fathered Auguste (1771-1805), Friedrick (1774-1854), and Caroline (1776-1861). 1762 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Minden is a town in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. ...

American Revolution

In 1776 the British began to "rent" units to fight in the American Revolutionary War from various German states. The Duke of Brunswick contracted to provide 4,000 foot soldiers and 350 light cavalry or jaegers. On March 18 they sailed from Stade, and newly promoted Major General Riedesel was their commander. After a stop in England, they arrived in Quebec on June 1. They supported the final expulsion from Canada of the American forces after their Invasion of Canada. They were then distributed for the winter through various posts in Canada. This article is about the year 1776. ... The American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), also known as the American War of Independence, was a war fought primarily between Great Britain and revolutionaries within thirteen of her North American colonies. ... Jäger (plural also Jäger, both pronounced as the surname Yeager) is a German word for hunter. In English it is often written with the plural Jägers, or as jaeger (pl. ... March 18 is the 77th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (78th in leap years). ... Motto: Don de Dieu feray valoir (Gift of God shall make prosper) Area: 547. ... June 1 is the 152nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (153rd in leap years), with 213 days remaining. ... The Invasion of Canada in 1775-1776 was the first, and perhaps the only major initiative by the Americans during the Revolutionary War. ...

Saratoga Campaign

See Main Article: Saratoga Campaign The Saratoga Campaign was a 1777 initiative by the British Army in the American Revolutionary War. ...

Sources

The most-authoritative source on the life of General Riedesel is the book by Dr. Karl Siegmar Baron von Galéra entitled Vom Reich zum Rheinbund: Weltgeschichte des 18. Jahrhunderts in einer kleinen Residenz (Degener & Company, Neustadt an der Aisch; 1961). My (Paul Riedesel's) longer English-language article at http://www.riedesel.org/general.html relies on Dr. Galera's book and other research on the Riedesel zu Eisenbach family.