What are Jonathan's feelings towards the Hessians in The Fighting Ground?

It's part and parcel of war to demonize one's enemies. Throughout human history combatants in one conflict or another have routinely sought to portray their opponents in the most negative light imaginable.

It's no different with the American War of Independence as depicted in The Fighting Ground. Jonathan and his patriot comrades have been led to believe that the Hessians, German-speaking mercenaries fighting for the British, are the absolute scum of the earth. The Hessians have a fearsome reputation as cruel, inhuman butchers who will happily massacre civilians at the drop of a hat.

As well as hating the Hessians, Jonathan also fears them. When he's about to engage with them in battle, he gets incredibly nervous; his mouth is dry and he cannot speak. A pervading sense of fear has descended on the platoon like a dark thunder cloud. Everyone's worried as to what these "butchers" might do next.

Over time, however, Jonathan completely changes his opinion of the Hessians. After they capture him, they treat him with remarkable kindness and decency. Jonathan realizes that the Hessians are really not that much different to Americans. In fact, he regards the Hessians he meets as so much better than some of the men on his own side. His experiences force him to consider the nature of war, with its demonizing of one's opponents.