If he was trying to avoid military service, it would have been with the Hessen army, not the Prussian. At this period, mid 19th century, the practice of hiring regiments out to other countries had ceased. The Hessian and other troops who participated in the American Revolution were not considered mercenaries but auxiliary troops. These troops were part of the regular military establishment of their country of origin and were raised and paid by same. A mercenary is one who hires himself out for pay and is not part of any regular military establishment. David Rorer ----- Original Message ----- From: <MrDodger@aol.com> To: <HESSE-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, November 01, 2003 7:49 PM Subject: [HESSE] Hessian Soldiers > The story is handed down in the family that our immigrant ancestor had to > leave the old country to avoid being conscripted into the Prussian army. He > arrived here in 1857 as a single 22 year old. > > Does this make sense? I know the Hessians were mercenaries in the American > Revolution. Did they also fight in other countries' wars? > > I was thinking that the story was wrong. That he was trying to avoid the > Hessian army. He came from Allendorf on the Werra. That is definitely in Hesse, > right? > > Any light on the subject would be greatly appreciated. > > Thanks from Lisa > in mild and lovely > upstate NY. > > > ==== HESSE Mailing List ==== > Going on Vacation? Longer than 4 days? Go to > http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/intl/DEU/HESSE.html > to unsubscribe > >