Leopold Philip de Heister (1707 - 19 November 1777 Hesse-Cassel) was a Hessian general who fought for the British during the American Revolution. He was a crippled veteran of many campaigns when he was selected to command the Hessian troops that were hired by the British government for service against the American colonies. He landed on Long Island near New Utrecht with two full Hessian brigades on 25 August 1776, three days after the arrival of Gen. William Howe with the British troops. The tedious passage of thirteen weeks from Spithead had tried him sorely: “his patience and tobacco had become exhausted. He called for hock, and swallowed large potations to the health of his friends.” Soon after debarking, the invading army prepared for marching, the Hessians under De Heister forming the