Military archives related to the German soldiers in the American Revolutionary War often include personal writings, such as private diaries, seemingly random notes and notations, and correspondence with family and friends. This material is especially helpful in deepening our understanding of their sentiments and experiences on and off the battlefield. Of course, as with all historical records, it is important to keep in mind that these writings are subjective and selective. They were also usually written with a particular audience in mind. Two short letters that were composed on the same day by a man belonging to the Braunschweig corps in Canada serve as a good example. One was written to his parents while the other was addressed to his brother.

In the spring of 1776, the Braunschweig troops departed from the city of Wolfenbüttel in two divisions. The first, numbering around 2,285 men and thirty women, left on February 22. The second, including around 2,048 men and 96 women, followed on March 15. Both divisions marched to the German port of Stade, where they embarked (separately) on transports that took them to Portsmouth, England. From there, they sailed for Canada. The first transports belonging to the first division arrived in late May; the second division would not land in Quebec until September.

The second division included the musketeer regiment Specht, which was commanded by Colonel Johann Friedrich Specht (1715 – 1787). Specht, several other officers, and 108 men belonging to his company crossed the ocean as passengers of the transport Lively. Also on board was Johann Christoph Dehn, who served as Musterschreiber (clerk, record keeper) for this regiment. Within days of his arrival in Quebec, he wrote to his family with obvious pride that he was indispensable to the colonel due to his knowledge of French. He had been very busy.

After his departure from Wolfenbüttel in March 1776, Dehn regularly wrote to his brother Ehrhard and his parents. While the records identify his father as Johann August Dehn, his mother is only mentioned by her maiden name, Aufwien. The composition and style of his letters reflect his abilities as a scribe: most are long, well composed, and generally written in a neat hand. In addition, they display a significant degree of affection for his family, including especially his brother.

The Dehns were undoubtedly worried about their son. After all, he was not only far away on another continent, but he was also taking part in a war. In his letters to them, Dehn typically avoided including news and information that might have deepened their fears for his health and safety. He was less concerned about raising concerns in his brother. The two letters included with this post reflect these differences.

Dehn wrote the letters to his parents and to his brother on the same day, from Cap-de-la-Madeleine, located on the northern shore of the Saint Lawrence River near Trois Rivières. At that time, the bulk of the Braunschweig corps, including the regiment Specht, were making their way toward Lake Champlain in preparation for the British expedition into New York. As Dehn explains to his parents, the army was on the march to “visit the rebels.” Compared to his other correspondence, the letters are unusually short. Dehn had little time to compose them.

In the letter to his parents, Dehn presents himself as busy but content. He is telling them not to worry in case they are not hearing from him for a while. His handwriting is neat. The letter to his brother, which he wrote hastily in the middle of the night after he was done with his official duties, reveals that the demands of his role as clerk left him with hardly any time for rest. His handwriting is sloppy. He was utterly exhausted.

One additional note: the letter to his parents indicates that Dehn had previously asked them to send him something. Their earlier correspondence does not reveal what he may have requested from Germany. However, in a short note dated May 14, he asked his parents to include in their package any letters from wives to their husbands in America that had been delivered to them. The inclusion of letters by other people in letters and packets sent from and to America was very common and completely acceptable. Apparently, Dehn’s acquaintances were well aware that the family maintained an active transatlantic correspondence.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION (Johann Christoph Dehn to parents)

Cap-de-la-Madeleine, June 3, 1777

Esteemed parents!

I hope that you have received my letters dated April 14 and May 12. At the same time, I regret that I do not have time to write you a long letter. We are on a march to visit the rebels. To this end, we will be embarking on Lake Champlain, leave Canada and take up residence in Albany. We still have to travel forty-four miles on land and eighty miles on water before we get to Albany. Marching during the day and writing for half the night is bitter, but for me, for me it is nevertheless very pleasant and it does not disturb my contentment in the least. Should you not receive any letters from me for a while, remain calm and blame our journey. Farewell! As soon as I have an opportunity and time, I will write more. I will now repeat my request regarding the items to be sent to me. Farewell again! I remain with a million compliments for my dear siblings and friends, your most obedient son J C Dehn

ENGLISH TRANSLATION (Johann Christoph Dehn to brother Ehrhard)

Cap-de-la-Madeleine, June 3 to 4, in the morning at 1:45 AM 1777

Dearest Brother!

I am too tired, because I have been writing since 4 PM in the afternoon. We are on the march, and at 4 AM, meaning in 2 hours and 15 minutes, we are setting out again. This means that I can sleep for only two hours; you will not begrudge me it. I am sending you a copy of a letter I received a few days ago. Farewell! Good night! The promise to write often is too holy for me, but now, perhaps, we are going to the army to present the rebels with a morning greeting. Farewell! Farewell! Farewell!

J C Dehn

TRANSCRIPTION (Johann Christoph Dehn an seine Eltern)

Cap de Magdaleine den 3ten Junii 1777

Werthgeschätzte Eltern!

Ich hoffe, daß Sie meine Briefe vom 24. April und 12 Mai erhalten haben. Zugleich bedauere ich, daß es die Zeit nicht erlaubt, Ihnen einen langen Brief zu schreiben. Wir sind auf dem Marsche, um denen Rebellen eine Visite zu machen. Zu welchem Ende wir auf dem Lac de Champlain aus embarquieren und Canada verlassen warden, und unseren Aufenthalt in Albanien nehmen. Wir haben noch 44 Meilen zu Lande und 80 Meilen zu Wasser bis wir in Albanien kommen. Am Tage marchirt und halbe Nächte geschrieben ist zwar sauer, aber für mich, für mich dennoch äusserst angenehm, und stört meiner Zufriedenheit nicht im mindesten. Sollten Sie in einiger Zeit keine Briefe von mir erhalten, so beruhigen Sie sich und schieben Sie die Schuld unserer Reise zu. Leben Sie indeß wohl! Sobald ich wieder Gelegenheit und Zeit habe schreibe ich mehrens. Nun widerhole ich meine Bitte, wegen das zu überschickenden. Leben Sie nochmahls wohl! Ich verbleibe unter 100000 Compl. am meine liebe Geschwistern u Freunde

Irer gehorsamster Sohn Dehn

TRANSCRIPTION (Johann Christoph Dehn an seinen Bruder Ehrhard)

Cap de Madaleine d 3-4ten Junii des Morgens 1 ¾ Uhr 1777

Theuerster Bruder!

Ich bin zu müde, denn ich habe seit 4 Uhr Nachmittags geschrieben wir sind auf dem Marsche u um 4 Uhr alß in 2 ¼ Stunde marchiren wir ab, ich kann also nur 2 Stunden schlafen, die gönnst du mir. Ich sende dir eine Copie vor einigen Tag erhalten Briefes, Lebe wohl! Gute Nacht! Das Versprechen sooft zu schreiben ist mir zu heilig, doch nun, vielleicht, wir gehen zur Armee, um den Rebellen einen Morgen Gruß zu Machen. Lebe wohl! Lebe wohl! Lebe wohl!

J C Dehn

Citation and Featured Image: Both letters and the envelope are in “Briefe von J. C. J. Dehn an seinen Bruder,” H VI 6: 26, Stadtarchiv Braunschweig.