Musketeer Regiment Prinz Carl

The Musketeer Regiment Prinz Carl was a regiment of Hessian troops that served Great Britain during the American Revolutionary War.

Musketeer Regiment Prinz Carl
Active18th century
CountryHesse-Kassel (or Hesse-Cassel)
AllegianceHessian Auxiliaries of the British Army
TypeInfantry
Garrison/HQBad Hersfeld
EngagementsBattle of White Plains

According to German military records, the regiment was raised in Bad Hersfeld, Hesse-Kassel (or Hesse-Cassel), Germany. On January 21, 1776 the Regiment marched from Hersfeld, embarking in Carlstadt at Bremerlehe on March, 23. They sailed for America on April 17, 1776, and landed at Staten Island, New York on August 15. They fought in the Battle of White Plains on October 28, 1776 and participated in the capture of Newport, Rhode Island July 29 to August 31, 1778 as well as other minor actions. On November 12, 1783 the Regiment sailed from New York for Bremerlehe, returning to the garrison at Hersfeld on May 28, 1784.[1] Some of the men were sent to Whippingham on the Isle of Wight to convalesce: many died there and are buried at the parish church. [2]

Although the official history of the unit does not give precise details of its movements, there are indications of other operations:

According to a Sep. 23, 1777 letter from Lieutenant General Sir Henry Clinton, to Gen. Sir William Howe, the Regiment participated in an incursion into New Jersey from the 12th to the 16th of September, 1777.

Also, a report of a Hessian deserter from 28 August,1782, found in George Washington's papers, indicates this regiment, along with "the Regt. of Wesebach & Angenella together with Fanning's Corps., & 7th British Reg., came lately from Savannah & are now on Long Island, very weak in number and very sickly.[3]" In this report, "7th British Regt. is likely the "7th Regiment of Foot (Royal Fuzileers)" under Lt. Gen. Richard Prescott, who had been ordered to Savannah on 22 December, 1781. "Fanning's Corps." is probably the loyalist "King's American Regiment" "Angenella" is probably the "Grenadier Regt. von d'Angelelli." And, the "Regt. of Wesebach" likely refers to the Hessian "Regt. von Wissenbach", although von Knoblauch had taken command by that time. The British forces evacuated Savannah on July 11, 1782.

Officers

Leibkompanie

Kompanie 2

  • (1775-80) Generalmajor Martin Konrad Schmitt
  • (1780-84) Generalmajor Ephraim v. Gose

Kompanie 3

  • (1775) Obrist (Colonel) Ephraim v. Gose
  • (1776-84) Obrist George Emanuel v. Lengerke

Kompanie 4

  • (1775-84) Obristleutnant Johann Wilhelm Schreiber (promoted to Obrist)

Kompanie 5

  • (1775-84) Major Wilhelm v. Loewenstein (promoted to Obristleutnant, then Obrist)

References
  1. Hessische Truppen im amerikanischen Unabhängigskeitskrieg (HETRINA)
  2. "Parishes: Whippingham Pages 197-202 A History of the County of Hampshire: Volume 5. Originally published by Victoria County History, London, 1912". British History Online.
  3. Source: George Washington Papers at the Library of Congress, 1741-1799: Series 6. Military Papers. 1755-1798 British Deserters, Names and Interrogations, April 15-December 12, 1782, Image 13 of 32, available at http://memory.loc.gov/mss/mgw/mgw6a/117/1500/1510.jpg
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