The report ran through the colonies that the Hessians were huge ogre-like monsters, with double rows of teeth round each jaw, who had come at the call of the British tyrant to slay women and children.

In truth many of the Hessians became good Americans.

In spite of the loyalty of their officers they were readily induced to desert.

The wit of Benjamin Franklin was enlisted to compose telling appeals, translated into simple German, which promised grants of land to those who should abandon an unrighteous cause.

The Hessian trooper who opened a packet of tobacco might find in the wrapper appeals both to his virtue and to his cupidity.