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Friedrich Von Steuben was born in Magdeburg Prussia, on Nov. 15, 1730, the son of a Prussian army officer. At the age of fourteen he served as a volunteer in the army, at the siege of Prague. By seventeen, he was an officer. In 1762 he served Frederick the Great. Von Steuben became Grand Marshal at Hohenzollern-Hechingen, where he received the title of Baron from their Prince. The Prince developed substantial financial problems, and the Baron had find new employment.
He left Prussia due to sexual persecution, and was unable to resume his military career in the armies of France, Austria, or England (American Military Leaders). He arrived in Paris nearly penniless, but had the good fortune of being interviewed as a foreign aid by Benjamin Franklin, from whom he gained letters of introduction to Congress and Washington (American Military Leaders). They made a well-chosen decision to recruit him into the United States army to help train soldiers to fight against Britain. Success of the Continental army during the Revolutionary War was due to the training they received at Valley Forge from Baron Von Steuben.
Though originally the Prussian General Von Steuben had decided to turn down working for the continental army, he had to reconsider, upon learning that European authorities were going to sexually persecute him. However, Baron Von Steuben changed his mind and agreed to train the soldiers in the America Continental army, as an unpaid volunteer. He wasnt yet aware of the hard work to be done. After some small lies by George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, word of Steuben's past employments preceded him to Congress, gaining him quick acceptance.
He then quickly joined the troops at Valley Forge in 1778, along with his servants Karl Vogel, Thevenaud de France, and Pierre Etienne du Ponceau, who remained Steuben's adjutant until 1779 (American Revolution Vol. 2. ). He saw the cold, disease-stricken, starved, and half- clothed, poorly supplied men, and became aware that changes needed to be made. Within a few days, Steuben picked a group of 10 - 12 men from different regiments to undergo training. Though he spoke no English and cursed on a regular basis, he still managed to communicate. In one instance, he wielded a musket and pantomimed the manual of arms. Steuben understood that the soldiers required an attitude of respect and understanding from their commanding officers, explaining to them his reasoning for each order.
Writing a friend in Europe, he noted that with Prussians, Austrians, or Frenchman you say to your solider, do this, and he does it, but I am obliged to say, this is the reason you ought to do that. And then he does it. (American Revolution Vol. 2. ) He creatively simplified and adapted the Prussian military drills to fit the colonial environment. Afterwards he split up the group, sending them back to their individual regiments, to teach the others what they had learned. This had a major impact in quick teaching the majority of the army effective maneuvering. Though Steuben soon received the titles of Inspector and Major General, once he realized that he wasnt supposed to command anything besides training, he considered resigning. He had agreed to help the continental army improve; yet he still wanted a chance at fame.
He eventually decided to help make large changes and contributions, through which he could be remembered. Immediately, he noticed that the Continental Army had no written regulations or manuals. Thus he deiced to compile teachings and regulations from memory into the first drill manual that was used for the next 30 years. This manual officially named Regulations for the Order and Discipline of the Troops of the United State, or commonly referred to as the blue book, was completed in 1779. It completely defined and stated even rudimentary teachings.
It contained postures, descriptions of specific jobs, deadly ammunition loading procedures, and more. The training and manual was only the beginnings of his contributions to the Great United States Army. Upon observing the troops, Steuben saw that some companies, which once contained 300, now contained 0 - 30 soldiers. He noted that they rarely shifted regiments, and that many soldiers were missing from the original roll calls. Thus Steuben decided to make the continental companies flexible by sizing them into two ranks tallest men at the rear, shorter men toward the center. Officers tended the flanks and kept the line straight, and noncommissioned officers followed at the rear to prevent straggling (Patriots).
Steuben next focused his attention on the soldiers personal hygiene. Men were no longer allowed to leave animal carcasses to simply rot away on the ground. They were required to bath and wash, preferably more than twice a day. He even explained the importance of using only latrines for urination and the importance of positioning a latrine away from the kitchen. Steuben created a Department of Inspection.
Officers were encouraged to inspect utensils and tents, to ensure cleanliness and that straw and bedding were aired. Monthly, they even began to log the status / amount of men, arms, ammunition, and supplies. These contributions led to a healthier and more organized army, which stopped widespread waste and abuse. When Nathaniel Greene was sent to Virginia in 1778, Steuben was ordered to accompany him as second in command. There he trained and equipped the troops to help aid Greene. This began a difficult chapter in Von Steuben's life.
Due to disagreements with Thomas Jefferson and the lack of support from the Virginia legislature, Steuben lost his temper quickly. For Steuben national defense was more important than Virginias individual war aims. Jefferson, while Virginia governor, placed his interests of the state before that of the government. This added a political proponent to Steuben's task. When Arnold and Phillips invaded Virginia, he struggled with the Virginia legislature. After Jefferson refused help to construct a small fort, he concluded that Jefferson didnt want to help in the common cause.
While he asked for help against the British invaders, the Virginia legislature was forming an expedition against Indians in the west to claim new territories. Even Greene, knew of no case in history when a state was escalating a war with a neighbor while another enemy was within its borders (1526). On March 9, Steuben finally informed Jefferson that if the powers of the state are inadequate to furnishing what is indispensably necessary, then he would suspend giving any orders until the situation was remedied. Jefferson, mistrustful as ever of the military, mailed a very blunt response to Steuben the next day. We can only be answerable for the orders we give and not for their execution. If they are disobeyed from obstinacy of spirit or want of coercion in the laws, its not our fault We did not think it proper to resign ourselves and our Country implicitly to the demands of a quartermaster, but thought we had some right of judgment left to us (American Revolution Vol. 2. ).
After the letters, Steuben kept contact confined to a minimum, with the Virginia government. All officers complained about the refusal of Virginia to aid any support with the war. Even Lafayette informed Jefferson that his task would be considerably easier if the population would support him and would not hide horses, carts, and other supplies at his approach (American Revolution Vol. 2. ). Steuben would have faced a court marshal if the battle of Yorktown hadnt been successful.
Steuben's severely disliked Virginia, but it also was a spot of joyous news for Steuben. Greene decided to move his troops North Carolina, however Steuben chose to stay in Virginia and to command and train troops with the Marquis de Lafayette. Shortly after, the fighting moved to the final battle of Yorktown. Steuben was given command of a division, where he established siege lines. On October 9, 1777 the division under Steuben's command gained the second parallel, 300 yards, from the British. After Cornwallis sent up the white flag, the British had to march through Steuben's division to lay down their arms (American Revolution Vol. 2. ).
Steuben had been accused of taking the honors that properly belonged to Lafayette, yet it seems that Lafayette tried to take the position of honor, which evidence showed as belonging to Steuben's division. When the Revolutionary war ended in 1777, Steuben decided to settle within the colonies, by becoming an official American citizen through an act of the Pennsylvania legislature. He settled in around Remsen New York, on the land and money awarded to him for his services in the army. Although his lack of discipline with money left him bankrupt of up to $ 7, 000 dollars, even though he obtained an annual pension from congress of $ 2, 500 for life.
Eventually Steuben became a founding member of a conservative group, called the society of Cincinnati, with politically connected army officers. He became president of the New York branch. The baron died at Steubenville in Remsen on Nov. 28, 1794, (American Military Leaders).
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