Why did and do historians use Fredericka Riedesel’s book, Baroness Von Riedesel and the American Revolution: Journal and Correspondence of a Tour of Duty, 1776 – 1783? She was given the moniker by Klaus Mann (1906-1949) in his book, titled Distinguished Visitors. The study was about distinguished Germans who visited North America. The first chapter of Mann's manuscript was entitled, "A War Correspondent, Madame von Riedesel.
The Baroness' "Tour of Duty" was one of the earliest sources to the Burgoyne Campaign. General James Wilkinson used Riedesel's book as a source for his 1816 memoir and Professor Benjamin Stillman used her book as a source for his book entitled, "A Tour to Quebec in the Autumn of 1819.
She was in a unique position, living among the regular soldier but, also, a wife of a Major General. She moved among the enlisted men as well as dignitaries. She was in a battle zone, taking care of her three small daughters, her maids, other high ranking officers' wives. She met such high-ranking officials as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, General Henry Clinton, King George III, Lord George Germain and General Frederick Haldimand, to name but a few.
If you want to learn more about the Baroness, come to the Saratoga Battlefield for a tour and walk the ground she walked upon. Hear the stories of her life during the Burgoyne Campaign and learn what happened to this first female war correspondent.
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