[Baron]. German soldier, born in Lützberg, Germany, on the 4th of November 1716. He entered the Prussian army in 1734, and became a general officer in the army of Frederick the Great. In 1776 he fought against the Americans as second in command of the corps of Hessians hired by England. He took part in the battles of Long Island, White Plains, Fort Washington, Brandywine and Monmouth. While in command at New York he made raids into New Jersey and New England, sacking the village of Connecticut Farms and burning Springfield. He was finally placed in full command of the Hessians, and occupied the city of New York in 1780. He returned to Europe in 1782, having lost an eye and gained little military reputation. The remainder of his life was passed as governor of the Castle of Cassel, Hesse. He died in Cassel on the 7th of December 1800.
