Hessian Fusilier Regiment Erbprinz - American Revolutionary War

 

Just as the Hessians of the time of the American Revolutionary War army copied many features of Prussian uniforms of the time, they raised regiments of Fusiliers as well as Musketeers. There was even less difference between these units and their Musketeer brethren than in the Prussian Army (where they were chiefly new units raised from recently captured territories, such as Silesia). These men were felt to be less robust than the Brandenburg and Pomeranians that made up the units of the old army, and thus were more lightly equipped. To make up for their smaller stature, Frederick gave them headgear based on a cut down version of the Prussian Grenadier miter. After the Revolutionary era, Prussian Fusiliers would begin evolving into actual light infantry ...sans the miters. 

The origins of  Fusilier Regiment Erbprinz date back to 1680; interestingly, in 1780 it was converted to a Musketeer regiment, and was renamed Prince Freidrich in 1783. 

Th pink I used is probably a more bold hue than used at the time, although contemporary illustrations do show a more intense hue than than rather pale version seen in armies of the Napoleonic era. 

In any event, there's no doubt about the impressive appearance of even the Fusiler miters!

Evidently captured miters were highly prized by patriot soldiers! These are Perry figures, with the flag being from Flags of War.

The Erbprinz regiment was among the first Hessian contingent to arrive in North America, at New York in August of 1776. and fought at the Battles of Long Island and White Plains later that year. Other major actions were Fort Washington and Yorktown.