In 1756, the artillery consisted of the light guns attached to the infantry battalions and two companies who manned the field guns and the fortress guns. Each infantry battalion had two 3 pounder guns crewed by artillerymen. There were fourteen infantry battalions – one Foot Guard, eleven line, and two grenadier – so there were twenty-eight battalion guns. In charge of the artillery was Oberstleutnant Schleestein followed by Oberst Schluter and then Oberst von Huth in 1758.

During 1956/7, eight of these battalions were in England according to the terms of the treaty of 18 June 1755. They were accompanied by 16 guns, 10 officers, a "vivandier," and 188 bombardiers, cannoneers, and "others." The train consisted of a commissary, a wagon master, a saddler and assistants, a leading driver and 53 drivers for the 48 artillery horses (3 per gun), and 102 draught horses for the 31 ammunition carts and 2 for the "vivandier's" cart. This gives a fairly complete picture of the battalion gun set-up at the start of the war. The infantry battalions had their own transport attached.

The field artillery used a variety of guns of varying calibers. Captured French guns were used, and Prince Ferdinand obtained guns from Britain and Prussia, which may have been distributed, to the Hessians. Pieces used included 3, 6, and 12 pounder guns, 16, 20, and 30 pounder howitzers, and 60 pounder mortars. These tended to be organized into companies or brigades of mixed calibers and types. There were also the guns in the fortresses about which I have no information.

As the war progressed, the Hessian artillery establishment continually expanded. It was the field guns that increased most of all. In 1757 an extra company was added to give an establishment of 15 officers, 27 NCOs (feuerwerkers and bombardiers), and 385 men including drivers.

In the Spring of 1759 a major reorganization of the whole of the artillery of Prince Ferdinand took place. Hessian militiamen were converted to artillerymen and captured French guns were taken into service. At Minden the Hessian artillery were with Wangenheim's corps. It consisted of sixteen 12 pounders (eight from the Buckeburg artillery), four 6 pounders, four 3 pounders, one 20 and one 30 pounder howitzer under the command of Oberst von Huth according to R. D. Pengel. He also gives a complement of 315 men not counting the drivers. Howard Cole gives a slightly different organization of sixteen 12 pounders, six 3 pounders, and one 20 and one 30 pounder howitzer.

In 1760, the infantry guns were distributed in twos to the regiments, perhaps as a consequence of the reorganization of the infantry by splitting the battalions in two, with eight to the Land battalions – three musketeer and one grenadier battalion. In August 1760, the 44 guns of the field artillery underwent a substantial reorganization into five companies. The first and fourth Companies consisted of: three 12 pounders, two 3 pounders, and two 60 pounder mortars with 106 men. The second and third Companies had: four 12 pounders, two 6 pounders, two 3 pounders, and two 16 pounder howitzers and 72 men. This organization of mixed calibers and types was old fashioned, as already the Prussians and others were brigading guns of the same caliber and type in batteries together. There were also a large number of guns not in companies, perhaps in reserve or non-standard pieces. They seem too light to be fortress guns. Light troops were often issued with small caliber pieces in ones and twos – some may come from this list. There were fourteen 12 pounders, twelve 6 pounders, ten 3 pounders, four 40 pounder mortars, and four 15/30 pounder howitzers. Oberst von Huth was still in command of the whole Hessian army until replaced by Oberst von Gohr in 1761, who was replaced in his turn by Major Lempe in 1762.

In 1761, the train totaled 993 horses and 341 drivers. This total must include all the vehicles of the army.

In 1762, there were four companies of battalion artillery and the five field companies as above with 918 men not including the drivers.

Hessian guns appear to have been painted a light blue to mid blue and captured French guns are said to have been taken into service in their original blue gray color.

Main Sources Consulted

Hesse Kassel – R. D. Pengel
Minden – Howard Cole
The Coward of Minden – Piers Macksey
Article by Sir Reginald Savory in JSAHR 49 (Autumn) 1971
His Britannic Majesty's Army in Germany – Sir Reginald Savory

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