The Hessians were, however, of doubtful benefit to the British.

It angered the Americans that hired troops should be used against them, an anger not lessened by the contempt which the Hessians showed for the colonial officers as plebeians.
The two sides were much alike in their qualities and were skillful in propaganda.

In Britain lurid tales were told of the colonists scalping the wounded at Lexington and using poisoned bullets at Bunker Hill.

In America every prisoner in British hands was said to be treated brutally and every man slain in the fighting to have been murdered.

The use of foreign troops was a fruitful theme.