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Muster Roll of the German Regiment in Service of the United States

 Collection
Identifier: SC MS 0167

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of three sheets of paper with indications of three folds: A Roll of the German Pennsylvania Regiment of Foot of Subsistence from June 1st 1778 to Nov. 1779 (on reverse side is added Philad’a); Muster Roll of the Field Staff and Commissioned Officers of the Ger. Reg’t in Service of the United States, Commanded by Lt. Col. Weltner Taken for the months of July, Aug & Sept & Oct 1779 (on reverse written twice is the title); Muster Roll of the Lieut Colo & Company German Regiment of Foot in the Service of the United States Commanded by Lieut. Col. Ludwick Weltner for the Months of Nov. and Decem’r 1779 and Jan’ny, Feb’ry, March, April, May, June, July, August, Sept. Oct. Nov. and Decm’r 1780.

Dates

  • 1778-06 - 1780-12

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Collection housed remotely. Users need to contact 24 hours in advance.

Conditions Governing Use

Collection is open for research.

Biographical / Historical

In 1776 the Second Continental Congress authorized the Eighth Maryland Regiment otherwise known as the German Regiment or German Battalion as auxiliary Continental infantry when it became difficult to get soldiers. Colonel Nicholas Haussegger of Pennsylvania was appointed as commander. Next in rank was Lt. Col. George Stricker of Frederick, Maryland who resigned his commission 1777 and was succeeded by Major Ludwig Weltner of Frederick, Maryland who was raised to rank of Lieutenant Colonel on April 29, 1777. Upon his retirement in 1781 Weltner was promoted by George Washington to full Colonel. The German Regiment served for four and one-half years officially disbanded January 1, 1781. The German Regiment served at the Battles of Trenton with the German speaking soldiers calling out to the Hessians to lay down arms, Princeton, Assunpink Creek, Brandywine, Germantown, Monmonth and the Sullivan campaign but most notably the German Battalion served under George Washington at Valley Forge during the winter of 1777-78. Four companies of Germans were raised from Pennsylvania and four companies from Maryland specifically from Baltimore and Frederick Counties. Later a ninth company was added composed of a mix of Pennsylvanians and Marylanders under Captain David Woelper. Each company consisted of ninety enlisted men and the following officers: a Captain, a 1st Lieutenant, 2nd Lieutenant, Ensign and non-commissioned officers: 4 Sergeants, 4 Corporals, 2 Drummers or one Fifer and one Drummer and 80 privates. Originally the soldiers who served in the 8th Maryland Regiment were expected to be of German origin.

Extent

1 folder ; [3 leaves], 36 x 24 cm, 30.5 x 36.5 cm; 32 x 36 cm

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

A unique record of soldiers of German origin who served the “United States” in the Continental Army under the command of Lt. Col. Ludwig Weltner from Frederick, Maryland as opposed to the German troops who served in the British Army. In May 1776 the Second Continental Congress established the Eighth Maryland Regiment, more popularly known as the German Regiment or German Battalion as an infantry unit. The Regiment was formed of eight companies: four from Maryland and four from Pennsylvania – a ninth company was formed later composed of a mix of soldiers from Maryland and Pennsylvania.

Arrangement

Chronologically

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Unknown. There is a catalog card 973.344 R755 T SL 5f75 indicating that the items were acquired many years ago.

References

Nead, Daniel Wunderlich. “The Pennsylvania-Germans in the Settlement of Maryland.” 974.806 P4155p

Status
Completed
Author
Ilhan Citak and Eleanor Nothelfer
Date
October 7, 2015
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Lehigh University Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Lehigh University
Linderman Library
30 Library Drive
Bethlehem PA 18045 USA
610-758-4506
610-758-6091 (Fax)