In Act II: Ice of the Age of Empires III campaign, John Black and Kanyenke went to defend his uncle Stuart's colony from Cherokee raids and then a British attack before both were revealed to be another plot from the Circle of Ossus seeking the long lost fountain of youth. They resemble the German civilization.
John Black's Mercenaries are a campaign civilization that is only available for play in either the Act II: Ice in Age of Empires III or custom scenarios made from the Scenario Editor.
John Black's Mercenaries, though based in United States, possess the unique cavalry units of Germans, while their home city is based on the home city of the Dutch - Amsterdam. They do not get any special civilization features, such as extra Uhlans (except with the 'Improved Mercenaries' card) or requiring more experience per shipment.
Unlike the Germans, they have access to Musketeers, Halberdiers and Grenadiers
Their Skirmishers and Uhlans do not get the Royal Guard upgrades.
Their architectural style is the polar opposite of the Circle of Ossus: All buildings resemble the British architectural style, except the House, which resembles German.