Abstract

Scanned and digitized at different dates, the Schwalm Masburg Files are the monthly reports of Hessen-Cassel, Hessen Hanau and Waldeck units employed by the British during the American Revolutionary War. These reports contain much additional information than what can be found online using the HETRINA database.

The published and on-line versions of the Hessische Truppen im amerikanischen Unabhängigkeitskrieg (HETRINA) series have proven to be of inestimable value to descendants of soldiers from Hessen-Cassel, Hessen Hanau and Waldeck in researching their ancestors’ military service in North America. Unfortunately, the authors were severely constrained by the limited amount of data that would fit on an 80 column IBM punch card.

HETRINA entries consist of the following:
• Entry No., last name, first name, year of birth, place of birth, ZIP Code, rank, regiment or battalion and company, type of occurrence, date of occurrence (month and year only), archive source.

The source of much of the information published in HETRINA was the monthly reports (Monatliche Listen) of the Hessian regiments and battalions serving in North America. These lists contain a large amount of information that could not be included in HETRINA.

The lists contain the following regimental/battalion information numerically by company with a total: company name, authorized strength, strength the previous month, native (Hessian) and foreign (non-Hessian) additions, number missing from complete authorized strength, number remaining effective for service, number remaining as such in general strength (this may include the sick, etc.), number of supernumeraries.

In addition to the information contained in HETRINA, for each individual whose status changed from the previous month’s report, the monthly reports contain the complete dates of occurrences rather than just the month and year and the type and place of the occurrence. For deserters, it notes whether they were wearing their uniforms and carrying their weapons when they deserted. One can also tell whether the soldier deserted alone or with comrades.

Interspersed throughout the monthly reports are officers’ rank lists giving the ranks, names, and dates of commissions of the regimental/battalion officers.

Also see:
• Londahl-Smidt, Donald M. “Research Notes, 2020-2021.” The Hessians: Journal of the Johannes Schwalm Historical Association. 24 (2021): 94-95.
• Londahl-Smidt, Donald M. “Research Notes, 2019-2020.” The Hessians: Journal of the Johannes Schwalm Historical Association. 23 (2020): 81-86.
• Londahl-Smidt, Donald M. “Research Notes, 2018-2019.” The Hessians: Journal of the Johannes Schwalm Historical Association. 22 (2019): 69.

MPG 10-31-2022.