"The first German troops to start for America were the Brunswickers. These marched from Brunswick on February 22d, 1776, 2,282 strong, and were embarked at Stade, near the mouth of the Elbe. The second division of Brunswickers embarked at the end of May—about 2,000 men. The first Hessians set out from Cassel early in March, and were shipped at Bremerlehe, near the mouth of the Weser. The second division was embarked in June. Together they numbered between 12,000 and 13,000 men. {3232} They were for the most part excellent troops and well equipped, for the Landgrave's little army was one of the best in Germany. … The Prince of Waldeck sent his regiment through Cassel without trouble. The Prince of Hesse-Hanau, the Margrave of Anspach-Bayreuth, and the Prince of Anhalt-Zerbst had a longer road." _E. J. Lowell, The Hessians in the Revolutionary War, chapter 5._ ALSO IN: _M. von Eelking, Memoirs of General Riedesel, volume 1, pages 18-88, and appendix._ _G. Bancroft, History of the United States (Author's last revision), volume 4, chapter 22._ UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: A. D. 1776 (February). Flight of the Royal Governor from Georgia. See GEORGIA: A. D. 1775-1777. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: A. D. 1776 (March). State government organized and a Constitution adopted in South Carolina. See SOUTH CAROLINA: A. D. 1776 (FEBRUARY-APRIL). UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: A. D. 1776 (April). North Carolina the first colony to declare for independence. See NORTH CAROLINA: A. D. 1775-1776. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: A. D. 1776 (May). Rhode Island renounces allegiance to the King. See RHODE ISLAND: A. D. 1776. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: A. D. 1776 (May). Popular vote for independence in Massachusetts. See MASSACHUSETTS: A. D. 1776 (APRIL-MAY). UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: A. D. 1776 (May). Arnold's retreat from Canada. See CANADA: A. D. 1775-1776. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: A. D. 1776 (May-June). Independence declared and Constitution adopted in Virginia. See VIRGINIA: A. D. 1776. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: A. D. 1776 (June). The British repulsed at Charleston. "Early in 1776 the task was assigned to Clinton, who had in January departed from Boston, … to force and hold the Southern colonies to their allegiance. See NORTH CAROLINA: A. D. 1775-1776.