KNYPHAUSEN

Wilhelm von Knyphausen (1716-1800), Hessian general who fought for the British during the American Revolution (1775-1783). (Hessians were German mercenary soldiers used by the British during the American Revolution). Knyphausen came to the United States in 1776 as the second in command of the Hessian forces in British service and took over as commander in 1777, a position he held until his return to Germany in 1782 where he became a military governor of the city of Kassel.