To the Hessian Hills

Young German art plasterwork apprentice in the Lower Saxony town of Lüneberg, Johann, enlists to go fight for the British in America. His motivation in doing so is to remain one step ahead of the artisan master husband of a scheming and unattended young wife as well as the anger of the ducal father of a promiscuous and bored young son.

As Johann travels across the ocean to the New York Colony, then through the disastrous British defeat at the Battle of Saratoga, and, finally, on foot in the snowy winter south as a prisoner of war to what became the Hessian Hills in central Virginia, he not only finds a loving relationship with an old friend, August, who has come to America with him, but also learns what he need sacrifice to continue to exist.

Along his route in life from Germany to Virginia, Johann increasingly finds he needs protection from other men whose primary interest is in finding a desirable and willing vessel for their seed. Men such as Rudolf, his artisan master; an unknown recruitment officer; Jocko, the ship’s third mate; Reinhart, the hard-hearted and hard-bodied troop captain; a medical surgeon; and Lawrence, the possessive, cruel, and demanding prisoner guard.

Despite all of the hardships of a prisoner of war in the American Revolution, Johann fights hard to maintain faith in the future. And in his dream for stability and a loving relationship; whilst moving ever closer to the Hessian Hills.