American Historical Ephemera and Early Photography, including The Larry Ness Collection of Native American Photography

"A Roll of the Officers German Regiment of Foot Commanded by Lieut. Col. Ludg. Weltner for Subsistence from June 1st 1778 to Novemr 1st 1779." 1p, 13 x 16 1/2 in. (creasing at folds, toning, approx. 3in. tear along center right fold). Docketed on verso. Roll includes "Rank," "Numbr of Days Rations due," "No of Rations Allowd to each officers," "Total of Rations," "Rate," as well as accounting for the rations. Roll identifies the names of 27 officers. A roll created in the summer months following the German Regiment's difficult winter encampment at Valley Forge in 1777-1778.

"Muster Roll of the Field Staff Warrant and Commissioned Officers of the German Regiment in the Service of the United States Commanded by Lieut. Collonel [sic] Weltner. Taken for the month of November Decembr 1778. Janry Febry 1779." 1p, 14 1/4 x 12 in. (creasing at folds, toning, scattered spotting). Docketed on verso. Roll includes "Dates of Commissions and Appointments," "Officers Names," "Rank," and "Remarks." Signed "A. Horton DMM [Deputy Muster Master]." Minissink, [NY], March 19th 1779. Roll identities 36 officers from nine companies, with remarks indicating the status of soldiers including "Furlough," "Court Martial," Prisoner of War," and "Died." The signature on the roll is likely that of Azariah Horton, Jr. (1755-1793), who was appointed deputy muster master for Maryland and Delaware troops, and later became deputy commissary general of musters.

"Muster Roll of the Lieut. Colos. Company German Regiment of Foot in the Service of the United States Commanded by Lieut. Col. Ludwick Weltner taken for the Months of November and December 1779, Janry, Fbry, March, April, May, June, July, Augst, Septr, Octr, November, and December 1780." Roll identifies 1 sergeant, 1 corporal, 2 drummers, and 17 privates. "Smiths Clove [NY] Decemr 1780 - Mustered then the Lieut. Colos. Company as Specified in the above Muster Roll." Unsigned. Docketed on verso, with additional section "Proof of Objectives" incomplete and unsigned.

Though the British Army's "Hessian" troops are well-known German Revolutionary War soldiers, the Continental Army also utilized German troops. The "German Regiment" (also known as the "German Battalion" or the 8th Maryland) was an infantry regiment authorized by the Continental Congress in May 1776 as an Extra Continental regiment, and was recruited among ethnic Germans from Maryland and Pennsylvania. At its maximum strength, the regiment amounted to close to 400 men. Congress appointed field officers from prominent figures in the German community, including Ludwig (sometimes Ludwick or Ludowick) Weltner of Maryland who served as major of the German Regiment in 1776 and early 1777. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in April 1777, and remained the unit's commander from late 1777 until the regiment was dissolved in 1781. The rolls offered here cover a period during which the regiment participated in the Battle of Monmouth (28 June 1778), the Sullivan Expedition raids against the Iroquois in 1779, and was stationed at Sunbury in the Pennsylvania frontier. While in Sunbury, Weltner was accused of terrorizing the local inhabitants, encouraging his officers and men to beat the locals, and of stealing and destroying property. Others though considered Weltner an outstanding officer. General George Washington wrote to the Board of War commending Weltner's leadership and urging them to give him the retirement of a full colonel.

A unique record of soldiers of German origin who served the United States in the Continental Army.