a Baltic German soldier and member of the Baltic nobility born in Vaimõisa, present-day Estonia, with the Title of Baron and last name of von Wetter-Rosenthal, a junior line of the von Wetter-Tegenfeldens. He came into conflict with another man and was forced to flee the country after killing him in a duel. He came to North America, where he served in the Continental Army using the name John Rose. While stationed at Fort Ticonderoga, he befriended William Irvine who was an officer in the Continental Army. He was part of the American invasion of Quebec and was present at the Battle of Trois-Rivières. He had much experience in the military which assisted him in establishing a reputation as a competent commander.
