Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1915-03-25
The Fate of The Hessians.


What became of the Hessians-the
thousand unfortunate hireling soldiers
whom General Washington captured at
Trenton on that foggy December morn
ing in l776.
History, except to record their capture,
is silent about them. The Treaty OF Paris
does not mention them, nor does any
writer OF that day say anything about
their fate. A Virginia correspondent
OF the Youths Companion gives the fol-
lowing information.
At the time of their capture, the Federal
government was finding il difficult to sup
ply food and clothing 10 its own starving,
freezing troops. Congress cheerfully
agreed to the suggestion OF General
Washington that he take his prisoners
down to Alexandria, Virginia, where they
could earn their own living.
Washington's motive was Shrewd
and thrifty one. Alexandra was the
nearest town to his own estate Mount
Vernon. The streets over which the
considerable traffic from the river passed
stood badly in need OF paving, and Wash
ington thought if much better TO have
these sturdy fellows contribute 10 the i'm
provement OF the little city rather than to
eat the bread of ldleness in prison.
And so the Hessians marched TO Alex
andria and went to work TO turn The
Alexandrian mudholes into well-paved
streets. The records OF Alexandria bore
evidence OF these facts, but, unfortunately,
they were destroyed in the Civil War.
Some OF the older citizens, however, can
remember having seen the entries.
With the spring, Washington sent the
HessianS into northern Virginia, at the
base Of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The
land there was held by few families in
estates OF thousands OF acres. Those
great landowners were glad enough to
permit the HeSsians to till as much land as
would comfortably support them. Each
tenant paid small rent for his land; some
times the rent took the form OF some SER
vice rendered 10 the landlord.
And thus the Hessians took root in
Virginia. And as it is not good for man
to be alone, they married-generally find
ing their wives among the "bond ser
wants" sent over TO Virginia from the
houses Of correction in England before
the Revolution. The Hessians did not
mingle socially with the old families Of
Virginia any more than the black slaves
did. They desired companionship, and
so in time most Of them gathered IN
small district in Fauquier county. There
for hundred years they have lived, as
separate from the other whites as the ne
eroes. From the earliest days they have
steadfastly refused 10 pay any taxes, and,
as the cost and trouble of collection were
more than the taxes were worth, they have
been allowed TO 20 scot-free. Hence the
name by which they are universally
known-the "Free Staters."
Living IN their primitive cabins, the
Free Staters have few wants, and are
virtually independent OF the outside
world. A little coffee, trlfling amount
of brown sugar, a few yards of bright
calico Tor state occasions, are all that the
Free Slater asks of civilization. They
raise their own food, make their own
shoes, and kill possums and coons when
they want hats. Money is almost un-
known among them. The few articles
they need are obtained at the croSsroad
stores by the barter of cheStnuts, buckle
berries, and "sang', or ginseng root,
They have their primitive manufactures,
dress skins into creditabe leather, and
make their Wagons and household furni-
ture from the abundant timber.
The evidences OF their foreign descent
are plentiful. The typical "po' white"
OF the South is long and lank, with thin
face and dark hair. The Free Slater is
short, with large, round head and light
hair. The Free Staters are fond ofmusic
and dancing.
None OF the present generation know
who the Hessians were, but the most in
sulting epithet they apply TO one another
is, "You old Hessian !" The word is
used nowhere else in the United States
today, and has doubtless survived am, ng
them from the days of their captivity,
when The term was applied TO them in re-
proach.
Only few hundred Free Staters are
now living in Fauquier county.