Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Scheffer

Francis Scheffer was the acting commander of the Von Lossberg Regiment during the early years of the AWI, having taken over from the initial colonel who had died of dysentery in September 1776. So he led the regiment at the Battles of White Plains, Fort Washington and Trenton. The regiment distinguished itself at White Plains and Fort Washington. Scheffer was awarded the order "Pour la vertu militaire" for his conduct in these battles (although the award was suspended in the wake of Trenton, pending the outcome of the inquiry). The Hessian garrison at Trenton included a brigade of three regiments under the overall command of Colonel Johann Rall - the Rall Regiment, Knyphausen's Regiment and Von Lossberg's (being the regiment that became the "Alt" Von Lossberg in 1780).

The Von Lossberg Regiment suffered high casualties at Trenton - 4 killed, 55 wounded and 260 captured.  As a consequence, the regiment pretty much ceased to exist as a fighting unit.  At the court martial enquiry after the battle, Scheffer testified that "it rained cannon balls and grapeshot, and snow, rain and sleet came constantly into our faces.  In short, none of our muskets would fire any longer."  Scheffer had taken command once Colonel Rall was mortally wounded; however, although it was questioned why he hadn't been able to effect a withdrawal out of the town towards the Delaware River, he was not censured by the enquiry (which instead placed the blame on Rall and Major Dechow of Knyphausen's regiment, both of whom were dead).  Scheffer eventually received his "Pour la vertu militaire" in 1783 and retired as a major-general the following year.  I assume he was captured at Trenton, but haven't been able to confirm.  

This figure is from a Foundry pack of Seven Years War Prussian "mounted Frei Korps officers".  The figure has lapels but no coat turnbacks, so it's not quite right for the AWI.  However, I had this figure in my leadpile and had always intended to use it for a German officer.  I decided on Sheffer because the figure looks like he's in the middle of a battle.  The eye-patch is neither here nor there - I have no idea whether Scheffer had one.  But, as described above, he sounded like a bit of a tough fighter, so I thought this figure was appropriate.  For the battle of Trenton, the base should of course be snowy; but I've just done the base as per my collection more generally.  

1 figure. Painted August 2024.