The Hessians were German mercenaries. Stark is saying that they are on a hill that he and his comrades will take and if they don't his wife will be a widow. In other words, it means that the victory will come to the Americans or they will die trying.
The Americans had more at stake. If they were defeated they would be hung for treason. In their minds, George III was a tyrant who would not listen to them. Nor would he dispense Justice.
Russians between the ages of 10 and 49 could read. 52% of Russians between the ages of 10 and 49 could read. 98.5% of Russians between the ages of 10 and 49 could read.
