Wilhelm von Knyphausen

Reichsfreiherr Wilhelm von Innhausen und Knyphausen
Wilhelm von Knyphausen
Born	4 November 1716 Lütetsburg
Died	7 December 1800(1800-12-07) (aged 84) Kassel
Allegiance	Kingdom of Prussia Hesse-Kassel
Commands held	Hessian mercenaries
Battles/wars	American Revolutionary War Battle of White Plains Battle of Fort Washington Battle of Brandywine Battle of Germantown Battle of Springfield Battle of Monmouth Battle of Trenton

American Revolutionary War

Reichsfreiherr Wilhelm von Innhausen und Knyphausen (4 November 1716 Lütetsburg, East Frisia – 7 December 1800 Kassel) was a general officer of Hesse-Kassel. He fought in the American Revolutionary War, during which he commanded Hessian auxiliaries on behalf of Great Britain.

Knyphausen's father was the colonel of a Prussian regiment under the Duke of Marlborough. Educated in Berlin, the young Knyphausen entered the Prussian military service in 1734, and in 1775 he became a general officer in the army of Frederick the Great. In the army of Hesse-Cassel, he was a lieutenant general. In 1776, with 42 years of military experience, he came to the Thirteen Colonies of British North America as second-in-command of an army of 12,000 men called “Hessians” under General Heister.

Knyphausen led the Hessian troops in the Battles of White Plains, Fort Washington, Brandywine, Germantown, Springfield, and Monmouth. In 1779 and 1780, he commanded British-held New York City. When Heister left for Germany, Knyphausen took command of the German troops serving under Sir William Howe. Because of Knyphausen's seniority, British officers held dormant commissions outranking him in case the British commander became disabled. Despite this, Knyphausen was trusted by his British superiors.