The German Regiment

During the late spring of 1776, the Second Continental Congress became aware that the British had hired mercenaries from several German speaking nations to come to the colonies to help fight and suppress the colonial rebellion. In response, the decision was made to organize a regiment of soldiers with German heritage and who mainly spoke German. Between July 6th and September 25th, nine companies were raised with troops from eastern Pennsylvania (5) and Maryland (4). It was during this period that Jacob Hoover enlisted in the Continental Army and was assigned to the German Regiment in George Washington's main army.

Officers and privates in the German Regiment were comprised of men from German settlements in the Pennsylvania and Maryland Colonies, respectively. Each company, seven in total, consisted of a Captain, 1st. Lieutenant, 2nd Lieutenant, and an Ensign. Non-commissioned officers included 4 Sergeants, 4 Corporals, 2 Drummers or, 1 Fifer and 1 Drummer, plus eighty privates, all who had enlisted for three years.

When the regiment was first organized, Swiss-born Colonel Nicholas Haussegger of Pennsylvania was placed in command. But after being captured by Hessian troops at the Battle of Princeton, questions arose about his loyalties. He was reportedly seen dining and drinking with enemy officers and purportedly tried to convince other POW's to side with the British. After he miraculously escaped his incarceration, Washington, not trusting his Colonel, had him watched closely over a period of time. Finally, determined his resolve to to cause of liberty had been compromised, the Commanding General booted him from his post and assigned Colonel Baron d'Arendt, a Prussian officer who had come to the colonies to fight for the rebellion, command of the German Regiment. He remained in command until the unit disbanded on January 1, 1781.

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