Burgoyne and German Mercenaries

C.W. Jefferys' notes about this picture from The Picture Gallery of Canadian History Volume 2

In 1776 the British Government hired from the Duke of Brunswick-Lunebourg 4,000 German soldiers for service in Canada. They were under the command of Major-General Baron Friedrich Adolphus von Riedesel, born in Hesse, 1738. He had served in Europe during the Seven Years' War. He took part with his mercenary troops in Burgoyne's campaign of 1777, and was made prisoner at the surrender of Saratoga. He was exchanged in 1780 and returned to Canada, where he remained until his departure to Europe. He held various commands until his death at Brunswick in 1800. Over 1,200 of these German soldiers remained in Canada, and became incorporated with the French-Canadian population.

His wife, Frederika von Masson, a spirited and intrepid woman, with her young daughters accompanied Riedesel throughout the campaign. See Un General Allemand au Canada, by Georges Monarque, and Bruce Lancaster's novel, Guns of Burgoyne, which gives a vivid and accurate picture of the personages and events of the period.