Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who does your organization portray?
- We represent Regiment von Riedesel, a unit from Brunswick in Germany, that fought in the American Revolution. We also portray Regiment von Zastrow of the Seven Years War.
2.. Is your unit part of any type of umbrella organization?
- Yes. We are members of the Northwest Territory Alliance, which is an organization that hosts living history events and re-enactments of the American Revolution located in the Mid-west United States.
3. How can I invite Regiment von Riedesel to my event?
- We are always interested in trying to new events, or even participating in German fests, parades and the like. If you would like us to attend your event, please send our Unit Commander: Doug Roush an e-mail with details regarding your event.
4. Where are your members located?
- The majority of the Leibkompanie members are located in Indiana. However, we also have members in Illinois, Wisconsin, Colorado, and Michigan. The Grenadier kompanie has members located in New England, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and New York.
5. Where are the events you attend located?
- The Leibkompanie attends events located in Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Kentucky. The Grenadier kompanie attends events all along the East Coast U.S.A.
6. How many members do you have?
- The Leibkompanie has 14 active Musketeers, and about 11 inactive members. We typically have between 5-12 members at any given event. In the recent past we have had as many as 20 men on the field. The Grenadier kompanie has 5 members and typically fields 3 or 4.
7. How do you join the regiment?
- Regiment von Riedesel is always looking for new members to join our unit. Please visit our page titled "Join the Regiment". Typically you will contact the unit commander or adjutant commander who will walk you through the process of becoming a member. Once you are a probationary member, you will be assigned a mentor who is an experienced member to help you better understand how to properly portray a soldier of Regiment von Riedesel.
8. Does the unit have any type of positions for musicians?
- Absolutely! We are always looking for musicians. If you are a fifer or a drummer, or a musician with interest in learning one of these two instruments, we would love to have you. The fifes and drums were an important part of 18th century warfare. They conveyed orders and also helped keep up morale during combat. Currently we only have one drummer, but we are looking to put together an entire section of field music, so if you have interest, please send us an e-mail!
9. How old do you have to be to join the unit?
- To be an a musketeer or grenadier, you must be 18 years old. However, a youth can join the unit if their parent is a member, and if they are at least twelve years old, they may participate on the field as a musician.
10. Is this unit family friendly?
- We are a very family friendly unit. Many of our members bring their families with them to events, however we also have just as many single members. Families may attend and portray camp followers but must be in period correct clothing while in the Regiment von Riedesel camp.
11. How much does it cost to be a member?
- Unit dues for Regiment von Riedesel are $10.00 a year, and all members must also be members of the NWTA. Aside from that, members must purchase all their own uniforms and equipment, which can cost between $1,000 and $1,600 with musket. However, we have loaner items to help new members, while they put their kit together. As it is expensive, we do not expect anyone to run out and buy everything at once, and new members have up to two years to complete their kit.
12. Where would I find the uniforms and equipment needed?
- With exception to our muskets, swords, and shoes, everything else we wear is made by members of Regiment von Riedesel. After you express interest and start the path to become a member, we can put you in touch with our members who can either make your kit or help you make your kit. All of the items are custom made, as our impression is one of a kind.
13. What's with the striped pants?
- When Regiment von Riedesel arrived in Canada they were wearing the uniform they wore in Europe which included tight wool breeches and thigh high tight black gaiters, with leather garters. However, General Riedesel, commander of the Brunswick troops in Germany ordered overalls made for his men, and these were made out of striped ticking similar to french ticking. Overalls are pants, with gaiters built into the bottom, they cover the buckle of the shoe, and a leather strap runs under the shoe, and they feature bone buttons on the bottom. When we portray the regiment fresh off the boat, or Regiment von Zastrow we wear white breeches and black gaiters, however our usual impression is of von Riedesel as they appeared in the middle of the war wearing their overalls.
14.. Are you guys Hessians?
- NO! We are Brunswickers! Many people make the mistake that all German soldiers who fought in the American Revolution were Hessians, but this is not true. Although a large amount of the German contingent came from Hesse, there were soldiers sent from every state, including Brunswick or Braunschweig. Regiment von Riedesel was one of a handful of regiments sent to the America's by Braunschweig.
15. Why were Germans sent to fight in the American Revolution?
- There is no simple answer for this. But the easiest way to say it is that by having England pay for the soldiers, the princes could keep an army without having it drain state funds. And why did the German states need such armies? The answer is that to survive and keep their relative positions in the Holy Roman Empire in the 18th century, required either an alliance with a powerful nation or a large army. However, make no mistake about it. While the soldiers were under British command in America, they were still part of their homeland's armies. Had the princes required them in Germany, they would have undoubtedly been recalled. - Regiment von Donop
16. Were Hessians or Brunswickers mercenaries?
- One must understand that the Hessian or Brunswick soldier received no extra pay for his duty, and remained loyal to, and was still considered a soldier of the German state of his origin. The term mercenary might better be applied to the various princely governments that hired out their soldiers. But even here, the term may not be correct, since the German princes did not hire out their soldiers to just anybody, and many political and and even religious factors determined who might be hired to who.- Regiment von Donop
17. What happened to the Brunswickers after the American Revolution?
- In May of 1780 there were still 1,503 Brunswick troops still in Virginia.. The conclusion of the war in Fall of 1783 enabled the remaining Brunswick troops to return to their homeland. Of 5,723 total men who came over to America during the war only 2,708 returned and under 500 of these returning troops were from the convention army. The rest of the Brunswickers settled in the United States.
Regiment von Riedesel, 2013