Carl von Donop
Encyclopedia
Count Carl Emilius von Donop (January 1, 1732 - October 25, 1777) was a Hessian colonel who fought in the American Revolutionary War
.
(or Hesse-Cassel), Donop was well connected in the European courts and served as personal adjutant to the Landgraf of Hesse-Kassel
. He served with distinction in the Seven Years' War
. When the American Revolution began, Donop asked for leave to serve in America, and the Landgraf appointed him as the commander of four battalions of grenadiers and the prestigious Jäger Corps
. A highly ambitious officer, Donop hoped to remain in America after the war to pursue dreams of power and glory.
Wearing a veneer of civility and deferential to his superiors, Donop was an able officer but was not well liked by his subordinates. To his inferiors he was short and harsh, and he had a take-no-prisoners policy that was enforced by severe beatings.
on August 27. They also participated in the landing at Kip's Bay
on Manhattan Island on the night of September 14. Donop distinguished himself at the Battle of Harlem Heights
, going to the aid of the British troops involved.
in late 1776, and commanded the garrisons in Trenton
, Burlington
, and Bordentown
, which consisted of several Hessian battalions, the Forty-second Highland Regiment (commanded by Colonel Stirling), and Jäger detachments. His main camp was at Bordentown prior to the Battle of Trenton
, with one battalion occupying the town and the rest billeted along the country roads in Slabtown [Jacksonville] Black Horse [Columbus] Burlington City and White House (the Mary Field Plantation). His overall commander was Major General James Grant. Donop wanted to absorb Colonel Johann Rall's brigade into his garrison to fortify Trenton, but Sir William Howe was persuaded to let Rall hold command on his own in Trenton. Warned by locals of impending attack, Donop warned Grant, who dismissed these cautions.
On December 22, 1776, Colonial militia under the command of Colonel Samuel Griffin
attacked von Donop's southern outposts at Slabtown. This force of colonials was sent from Philadelphia by General Israel Putnam
as a deterrent to further encroachment on the river crossings opposite the colonial capitol at Philadelphia. The colonials numbered about 900 local militia and a few regulars, while von Donop commanded over 2,000 veterans.
In response to this attack, von Donop moved his entire force south, pushing the colonials through Mount Holly at the Battle of Iron Works Hill
and onto the opposite side of the Rancocas Creek. On Christmas Eve, the colonials retreated a few miles to Moorestown.
Von Donp's officers wanted him to return to Bordentown, within easy supporting distance for Rall. Von Donop had nothing but contempt for Rall and decided to spend Christmas in the company of "a beautiful young widow" - as reported by his Captain of Jagers, Johann Ewald
. There is some speculation, but no proof, that the "beautiful young widow" was Betsy Ross
.
A rider brought news of the disaster at Trenton about mid-day on December 26. Out of position, and fearing he would be cut off from the remaining Royal Forces, von Donop ordered his corps to move through Crosswicks to Princeton. He left a rear guard and allowed for baggage wagons, wounded and such to be brought along. He abandoned a good bit of plunder in his excitement and urgency.
The victory at Trenton was won by Washington, but some credit should be given to the young widow who held von Donop out of position a day too long to be of help to Rall.
to the navy. The effort was directed at the forts on either side of the river. The Royal Navy
attacked Fort Mifflin
in Pennsylvania
. In an attempt to recoup his tarnished reputation from his defeat at Trenton, Donop volunteered to attempt the capture of Fort Mercer at Red Bank in what is now National Park, New Jersey
. General Howe agreed, if it could be done easily, and gave Donop command of 2000 Hessian troops, with which he crossed the Delaware River on October 22. That afternoon, Donop surrounded the fort and demanded surrender from Colonel Christopher Greene
with the threat of invasion and no quarter. Greene, in a strong position with four hundred Rhode Island
ers and in possession of plentiful cannon, grapeshot, and powder, rejected the demand. Three attacks and four hundred Hessian casualties ensued, including Donop himself. Fatally wounded in what would be known as the Battle of Red Bank
, he died two days later on October 25, 1777. He said to a brother officer: “It is finishing a noble career early; but I die the victim of my ambition, and of the avarice of my sovereign.”
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
.
Origins and ambitions
The son of a noble family of Hesse-KasselHesse-Kassel
The Landgraviate of Hesse-Kassel or Hesse-Cassel was a state in the Holy Roman Empire under Imperial immediacy that came into existence when the Landgraviate of Hesse was divided in 1567 upon the death of Philip I, Landgrave of Hesse. His eldest son William IV inherited the northern half and the...
(or Hesse-Cassel), Donop was well connected in the European courts and served as personal adjutant to the Landgraf of Hesse-Kassel
Landgrave
Landgrave was a title used in the Holy Roman Empire and later on by its former territories. The title refers to a count who had feudal duty directly to the Holy Roman Emperor...
. He served with distinction in the Seven Years' War
Seven Years' War
The Seven Years' War was a global military war between 1756 and 1763, involving most of the great powers of the time and affecting Europe, North America, Central America, the West African coast, India, and the Philippines...
. When the American Revolution began, Donop asked for leave to serve in America, and the Landgraf appointed him as the commander of four battalions of grenadiers and the prestigious Jäger Corps
Jäger (military)
Jäger is a term that was adopted in the Enlightenment era in German-speaking states and others influenced by German military practice to describe a kind of light infantry, and it has continued in that use since then....
. A highly ambitious officer, Donop hoped to remain in America after the war to pursue dreams of power and glory.
Wearing a veneer of civility and deferential to his superiors, Donop was an able officer but was not well liked by his subordinates. To his inferiors he was short and harsh, and he had a take-no-prisoners policy that was enforced by severe beatings.
Early battles
Donop's troops participated in the initial British landing at Long Island, New York, on August 22, 1776, and the succeeding Battle of Long IslandBattle of Long Island
The Battle of Long Island, also known as the Battle of Brooklyn or the Battle of Brooklyn Heights, fought on August 27, 1776, was the first major battle in the American Revolutionary War following the United States Declaration of Independence, the largest battle of the entire conflict, and the...
on August 27. They also participated in the landing at Kip's Bay
Landing at Kip's Bay
The Landing at Kip's Bay was a British amphibious landing during the New York Campaign in the American Revolutionary War on September 15, 1776, occurring on the eastern shore of present-day Manhattan....
on Manhattan Island on the night of September 14. Donop distinguished himself at the Battle of Harlem Heights
Battle of Harlem Heights
The Battle of Harlem Heights was fought during the New York and New Jersey campaign of the American Revolutionary War. The action took place in what is now the Morningside Heights and west Harlem neighborhoods of Manhattan in New York City on September 16, 1776....
, going to the aid of the British troops involved.
Retreat after Battle of Trenton
Donop was the senior officer present in southern New JerseyNew Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
in late 1776, and commanded the garrisons in Trenton
Trenton, New Jersey
Trenton is the capital of the U.S. state of New Jersey and the county seat of Mercer County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Trenton had a population of 84,913...
, Burlington
Burlington, New Jersey
Burlington is a city in Burlington County, New Jersey, United States and a suburb of Philadelphia. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 9,920....
, and Bordentown
Bordentown, New Jersey
Bordentown City is in Burlington County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 3,924. Bordentown is located at the confluence of the Delaware River, Blacks Creek and Crosswicks Creek...
, which consisted of several Hessian battalions, the Forty-second Highland Regiment (commanded by Colonel Stirling), and Jäger detachments. His main camp was at Bordentown prior to the Battle of Trenton
Battle of Trenton
The Battle of Trenton took place on December 26, 1776, during the American Revolutionary War, after General George Washington's crossing of the Delaware River north of Trenton, New Jersey. The hazardous crossing in adverse weather made it possible for Washington to lead the main body of the...
, with one battalion occupying the town and the rest billeted along the country roads in Slabtown [Jacksonville] Black Horse [Columbus] Burlington City and White House (the Mary Field Plantation). His overall commander was Major General James Grant. Donop wanted to absorb Colonel Johann Rall's brigade into his garrison to fortify Trenton, but Sir William Howe was persuaded to let Rall hold command on his own in Trenton. Warned by locals of impending attack, Donop warned Grant, who dismissed these cautions.
On December 22, 1776, Colonial militia under the command of Colonel Samuel Griffin
Samuel Griffin
Samuel Griffin was a lawyer and politician from Virginia. He represented Virginia in the U.S. House of Representatives.-Biography:...
attacked von Donop's southern outposts at Slabtown. This force of colonials was sent from Philadelphia by General Israel Putnam
Israel Putnam
Israel Putnam was an American army general and Freemason who fought with distinction at the Battle of Bunker Hill during the American Revolutionary War...
as a deterrent to further encroachment on the river crossings opposite the colonial capitol at Philadelphia. The colonials numbered about 900 local militia and a few regulars, while von Donop commanded over 2,000 veterans.
In response to this attack, von Donop moved his entire force south, pushing the colonials through Mount Holly at the Battle of Iron Works Hill
Battle of Iron Works Hill
The Battle of Iron Works Hill, also known as the Battle of Mount Holly, was a series of minor skirmishes that took place on December 22 and 23, 1776, during the American War of Independence...
and onto the opposite side of the Rancocas Creek. On Christmas Eve, the colonials retreated a few miles to Moorestown.
Von Donp's officers wanted him to return to Bordentown, within easy supporting distance for Rall. Von Donop had nothing but contempt for Rall and decided to spend Christmas in the company of "a beautiful young widow" - as reported by his Captain of Jagers, Johann Ewald
Johann Ewald
Johann von Ewald was a German military officer from Hesse-Kassel. After first serving in the Seven Years' War, he was the commander of the jäger corps of the Hessian Leib Infantry Regiment attached to British forces in the American Revolutionary War. He arrived with his troops, first serving in...
. There is some speculation, but no proof, that the "beautiful young widow" was Betsy Ross
Betsy Ross
Betsy Ross is widely credited with making the first American flag. There is, however, no credible historical evidence that the story is true.-Early life:...
.
A rider brought news of the disaster at Trenton about mid-day on December 26. Out of position, and fearing he would be cut off from the remaining Royal Forces, von Donop ordered his corps to move through Crosswicks to Princeton. He left a rear guard and allowed for baggage wagons, wounded and such to be brought along. He abandoned a good bit of plunder in his excitement and urgency.
The victory at Trenton was won by Washington, but some credit should be given to the young widow who held von Donop out of position a day too long to be of help to Rall.
Battle of Red Bank
When Howe's forces captured Philadelphia in 1777, he then acted to open the Delaware RiverDelaware River
The Delaware River is a major river on the Atlantic coast of the United States.A Dutch expedition led by Henry Hudson in 1609 first mapped the river. The river was christened the South River in the New Netherland colony that followed, in contrast to the North River, as the Hudson River was then...
to the navy. The effort was directed at the forts on either side of the river. The Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
attacked Fort Mifflin
Fort Mifflin
Fort Mifflin, originally called Fort Island Battery and also known as Mud Island Fort, was commissioned in 1771 and sits on Mud Island on the Delaware River below Philadelphia, Pennsylvania near Philadelphia International Airport...
in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. In an attempt to recoup his tarnished reputation from his defeat at Trenton, Donop volunteered to attempt the capture of Fort Mercer at Red Bank in what is now National Park, New Jersey
National Park, New Jersey
National Park is a Borough in Gloucester County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, there were 3,205 residents. Despite its name, National Park is neither a national park nor associated with one.-History:...
. General Howe agreed, if it could be done easily, and gave Donop command of 2000 Hessian troops, with which he crossed the Delaware River on October 22. That afternoon, Donop surrounded the fort and demanded surrender from Colonel Christopher Greene
Christopher Greene
Christopher Greene was a US legislator and soldier.-Home life:Christopher Greene was born 12 May 1737 at Occupessatuxet, a village of the town of Warwick, Rhode Island, to Judge Phillip Greene and Elizabeth Greene...
with the threat of invasion and no quarter. Greene, in a strong position with four hundred Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
ers and in possession of plentiful cannon, grapeshot, and powder, rejected the demand. Three attacks and four hundred Hessian casualties ensued, including Donop himself. Fatally wounded in what would be known as the Battle of Red Bank
Battle of Red Bank
The Battle of Red Bank was a battle of the American Revolutionary War in which a Hessian force was sent to take Fort Mercer on the left bank of the Delaware River just south of Philadelphia, but was decisively defeated by a far inferior force of Colonial defenders...
, he died two days later on October 25, 1777. He said to a brother officer: “It is finishing a noble career early; but I die the victim of my ambition, and of the avarice of my sovereign.”
Sources
- Philip R. N. Katcher, Encyclopedia of British, Provincial and German Army Units 1775-1783 (Harrisburg, Penna.: Stackpole Books, 1973).
- Rodney Atwood, The Hessians (Cambridge, 1980).