"Old Denmark"

Hans Christian Febiger, soldier, born on the Island of Funen, Denmark 19 October 1749; died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 20 September 1796. Most Danish immigrants to North America from colonial times until 1850 were single men, and quickly blended into the general population. Rarely, with few exceptions, does the name of a Danish immigrant appear in the historical annals of this period. Hans Christian Febiger or Fibiger (1749-1796), often called "Old Denmark," was one of George Washington's most trusted officers during the American Revolution.

Col. Febiger, though he was later titled Brigadier General, was born on Funen Island in Denmark in 1749. After receiving a military education in Europe (possibly in Copenhagen), Febiger journeyed with his uncle, somewhere in the late 1750s or 1760s, to the Danish possession of Santa Cruz (now known as St. Croix), where the latter had been appointed governor. Febiger is next known to have traveled through the American colonies engaged in several trades and businesses when war broke out. Febiger quickly joined with the Massachusetts Militia following the Lexington Alarm and fell under the command of Col. Samuel Gerrish.

Revolutionary War Service

He joined a Massachusetts regiment on 28 April 1775, became its adjutant shortly afterward, and distinguished himself at Bunker Hill. He was in Arnold's Quebec expedition, was taken prisoner at the storming of that City on 31 December 1775, and was sent to New York with other prisoners in September 1776. On 13 November 1776 he was appointed a lieutenant colonel in the Virginia line.

After taking on a role as a recruiter in Virginia, the now Lieutenant Febiger, having been promoted by the Virginia House, is called upon by Gen. Washington to march his regiment to Headquarters in N.J. to begin preparation for deployment. Febiger is next seen fighting with the Continental Army in the Philadelphia campaign before moving on to other engagements. He eventually accompanies Washington through Princeton, Bridgewater and Bound Brook, New Jersey, near the Middle Brook encampment before fighting in the Battle of Brandywine. Following his performance at Brandywine Febiger received his appointment as Colonel on September 26, 1777 and took command of the 2nd Virginia Regiment, a post he held until the end of the war (though it is speculated that he did not accept his Colonelcy until after the battle of Germantown.

He was on the right of Greene's wing at, Germantown, led 4,000 men, with two guns, at Monmouth, and commanded the right column in the attack on Stony Point, where he distinguished himself, taking the British commander prisoner in person. He was sent to Philadelphia on 1 September 1780, to forward stores to the army, and was afterward on recruiting duty in Virginia, though he was in the field at intervals, and was present at the surrender of Cornwallis. He retired from active service on 1 January 1783, was brevetted brigadier general on 30 September and then settled in Philadelphia, where he engaged in business. During his military service Febiger bore the sobriquet of "Old Denmark." He was treasurer of Pennsylvania from 13 November 1789, until his death.

As with most of his military service, Febiger distinguished himself as master of the stores and transport of much of the Continental supply.

Febiger's military career for much of the rest of the War was engaged in his recruiting and oversight efforts, however, he was present at the Battle of Yorktown and the official surrender of General Cornwallis.

Colonel Febiger finally retired from active duty, following eight years of service to the Revolutionary cause, on January 1, 1783. He was officially discharged from the Continental Army on November 30th. During that period, the Continental Congress conferred to Febiger the rank of Brigadier General by brevet. Febiger, however, never truly assumed that title saying, it is "more to one's business advantage's in America to be known as 'Colonel.'"

Later life

Following the war, "Old Denmark" settled in Philadelphia and engaged in several business ventures, many of which proved rather successful. Febiger also joined the Virginia branch of the Society of the Cincinnati, but later switched his affiliation to the Pennsylvania group. After briefly serving as Auctioneer of the Northern Liberties of Philadelphia (succeeding David Rittenhouse), he eventually came to hold the post of Treasurer for the Commonwealth of Philadelphia, and was appointed to that post for every successive year until he died in 1796 (the cause of death is not quite clear). According to the Sons of the American Revolution, Pennsylvania Society, website, Febiger is buried in the historic Mount Vernon Cemetery in Philadelphia.

Personal life and trivia

Col. Febiger was married to the former Miss Elizabeth Carson and though they had "no issue" by this marriage, they adopted Mrs. Febiger's nephew, Christian Carson Febiger (son of Dr. John Carson, a trustee of the University of Pennsylvania).

Febiger is listed in a February 1942 newspaper article under the Ripley's Believe it or Not! section as having been the "only soldier who took part in every important battle of the Revolutionary War from Bunker Hill to Yorktown."

Febiger was the grandfather of the Civil War hero, Admiral John Carson Febiger who later became Commandant of the Washington Navy Yard and is buried in Arlington Cemetery.

References:
Wikipedia
http://famousamericans.net/christianfebiger/
http://www.everyculture.com/multi/Bu-Dr/Danish-Americans.html

Updated 19 November 2007