Who was General von Steuben?
Yale University Art Gallery. General von Steuben. Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin von Steuben was born on September 17, 1730 in the fortress town of Magdeburg in the Kingdom of Prussia. Following in his father's footsteps, Steuben joined the Prussian Army in 1747, when he was 17 years old.
What did George Washington think of Baron Von Steuben?
During the Civil War Washington approved of von Steuben. “He appears to be much of a gentleman,” he wrote when the baron arrived at camp, “and as far as I have had an opportunity of judging, a man of military knowledge, and acquainted with the world.”
What did Baron Von Steuben do when American troops faltered?
When American troops faltered, Baron von Steuben helped whip them into shape. Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben was a Prussian soldier designated inspector general of the American Continental Army. He was in charge of training the troops in 1778 during the period of the American Revolutionary War.
Why did George Washington appoint von Steuben as Inspector General?
His keen military mind and charismatic leadership led George Washington to name him the Continental Army’s acting inspector general soon after his arrival at its camp in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. In less than two months in spring 1778, von Steuben rallied the battered, ill-clothed, near-starving army.
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When did Baron von Steuben join the army?
Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin von Steuben was born on September 17, 1730 in the fortress town of Magdeburg in the Kingdom of Prussia. Following in his father's footsteps, Steuben joined the Prussian Army in 1747, when he was 17 years old.
When did Friedrich von Steuben arrive in America?
February 23, 1778Friedrich Wilhelm Rudolf Gerhard August, Freiherr von Steuben, a Prussian military officer, arrives at General George Washington's encampment at Valley Forge on February 23, 1778 and commences training soldiers in close-order drill, instilling new confidence and discipline in the demoralized Continental Army.
Who is Baron von Steuben and what did he do with Washington's men?
His keen military mind and charismatic leadership led George Washington to name him the Continental Army's acting inspector general soon after his arrival at its camp in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. In less than two months in spring 1778, von Steuben rallied the battered, ill-clothed, near-starving army.
Why did George Washington bring Baron von Steuben to Valley Forge?
Baron Friedrich von Steuben, a Prussian military officer, provided important training for the American troops. As the drillmaster of Valley Forge, he taught the soldiers how to use the bayonet, and most importantly, how to re-form lines quickly in the midst of battle.
Who wrote the first Blue Book?
Following this exercise, Steuben published his drill instructions in a manual that was published in 1779 and widely distributed throughout the Continental Army. This manual became commonly known as the army's "Blue Book". It remained the official U.S. military guide until 1812.
Who was the most important person in the American Revolution?
Thomas Jefferson was a one of the most important and prominent figures in American history. He was a founding father who was responsible for writing the Declaration of Independence as well as the third President of the United States.
How many kids did Baron von Steuben have?
At Valley Forge, he began close relationships with Benjamin Walker and William North, then both military officers in their 20s. Von Steuben formally adopted Walker and North and made them his heirs. He never married and had no children, and he did not care much for his European relatives.
Who was the first Inspector General of the army?
The first effective U.S. Army Inspector General was Baron Frederick William Augustus Von Steuben. Von Steuben was a former captain in the Prussian Army. He was recruited for the American Army in Paris by Benjamin Franklin in 1777.
Who helped George Washington?
George Washington met the nineteen-year-old Marquis de Lafayette on August 5, 1777, less than a week after the Continental Congress appointed the young Frenchman to be a volunteer Major General in the Continental Army. Lafayette was assigned to serve on Washington's staff.
How long was Washington at Valley Forge?
approximately six monthsWashington and his men would remain at the camp for approximately six months, from December 1777 until June 1778.
What happened at Valley Forge in the winter of 1777 and 1778?
The particularly severe winter of 1777-1778 proved to be a great trial for the American army, and of the 11,000 soldiers stationed at Valley Forge, hundreds died from disease. However, the suffering troops were held together by loyalty to the Patriot cause and to General Washington, who stayed with his men.
How cold was the winter at Valley Forge?
The Encampment saw basically two periods of severe cold. The end of December with a low of 6 Degrees and the end of March with a low of 8 Degrees. The low in January reached 12 Degrees and February was 16 Degrees.
What city did the British abandon on June 19 1778?
On June 18, 1778, after almost nine months of occupation, 15,000 British troops under General Sir Henry Clinton evacuate Philadelphia, the former U.S. capital.
Who trained the American troop?
Baron von SteubenThe 60-minute, live-action documentary details the uniforms, camp life, food, weapons, equipment, and drill of the Continental soldier from 1775–1781, as taught and developed by Baron von Steuben.
Who helped Washington at Valley Forge?
The Marquis de Lafayette, who joined the Continental Army at age nineteen in the summer of 1777 as a volunteer Major General, spent most of December 1777 and January 1778 with George Washington and his Continental Army troops at their winter quarters at Valley Forge.
What was the biggest contributor to the American victory at Yorktown?
Largely overlooked in histories of the Revolution, the Battle of the Chesapeake is in fact one of the most important naval engagements in history, leading to the American victory at Yorktown.
Where did Steuben settle after the war?
After the war Steuben settled in New York City, where he lived so extravagantly that, despite large grants of money from Congress and the grant of 16,000 acres (6,000 hectares) of land by New York state, he fell into debt.
What was Von Steuben's contribution to the American Revolution?
Von Steuben’s aid contributed greatly to Washington’s success at Monmouth (now Freehold), New Jersey, on June 28, 1778. After that…. American Revolution: Land campaigns from 1778. …by the arrival of the Freiherr von (baron of) Steuben, a Prussian officer in the service of France.
What was the name of the drill company that Steuben formed and commanded?
The model drill company that Steuben formed and commanded was copied throughout the ranks. That winter he wrote Regulations for the Order and Discipline of the Troops of the United States, which soon became the “blue book” for the entire army and served as the country’s official military guide until 1812.
What rank did Steuben have?
Born into a military family, Steuben led a soldier’s life from age 16. During the Seven Years’ War (1756–63) he rose to the rank of captain in the Prussian army and was for a time attached to the general staff of Frederick II the Great.
Who helped train American troops during the American Revolution?
drill. …Forge during the American Revolution, Baron von Steuben, a German officer who helped train American troops, adapted Prussian techniques into a less rigid drill system fitted to the American character and to conditions of warfare in the New World.…. History at your fingertips.
Who was the Prussian officer who gave the American troops valuable training in maneuvers and in the more efficient use of
United States: The American Revolutionary War. …was scarce, a Prussian officer, Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, was able to give the American troops valuable training in maneuvers and in the more efficient use of their weapons.
What was the name of the prince who was made a Freiherr?
After the close of the war, he was retired from the army and became court chamberlain for the prince of Hohenzollern-Hechingen, and at some unknown date he apparently was created a Freiherr (baron). In 1777 it was rumoured that he had been obliged to leave Hohenzollern-Hechingen for unsavoury conduct.
Who was General von Steuben?
General von Steuben rejoined the Continental Army on April 27, 1779, and he served throughout the remainder of the war. He was instructor and supply officer for General Nathanael Greene's southern army, which fought the key battles that led to the British surrender at Yorktown in 1781.
When did Steuben leave the army?
Shortly following the peace treaty, he was discharged from the Prussian army on April 29, 1763. By 1763, Steuben had gained all of his military experience which would be so valuable in his service to the American cause.
What was the name of the Prussian general who was wounded in the Battle of Prague?
Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin von Steuben was born on September 17, 1730 in the fortress town of Magdeburg in the Kingdom of Prussia. Following in his father's footsteps, Steuben joined the Prussian Army in 1747, when he was 17 years old. In May 1756, the Seven Years War began in Europe, and Prussia and Britain were pitted against France, Austria, and Russia. At this time, Steuben was a second lieutenant. He was wounded at the Battle of Prague, where the Prussian army was victorious, despite facing twice as many Austrian troops. In 1758, he served as General Johann von Mayer's adjutant and principle staff officer in a special detached corps. Steuben was promoted to first lieutenant in 1759, and he was wounded at the Battle of Kunersdorf that summer. On June 26, 1761, he was transferred to general headquarters, where he served as a staff officer in the position of a deputy quartermaster. Later in 1761, he was taken prisoner when Major General von Knoblock surrendered at Treptow on the Russian front. In 1762, he was released, promoted to captain, and he eventually became an aide-de-camp to Frederick the Great. Then he joined the King's personal class on the art of war, where young officers were trained in the complicated art of leadership. Shortly following the peace treaty, he was discharged from the Prussian army on April 29, 1763.
What rank did Steuben have?
The same day, Steuben was handed his commission from the Continental Congress, as Inspector General, with the rank of Major General .
What did Steuben learn?
He had learned the methods of war in what many considered to be the greatest and most advanced army in the world at the time. Steuben had also received training with a special detached corps and as a general staff officer when the two concepts were virtually unknown to the rest of the world .
How did Steuben set a precedent?
Steuben set a precedent by working with the troops directly. The American officers felt threatened by this practice, as well as by the seemingly unlimited powers of Steuben's office. Consequently, on June 15, 1778, Washington issued orders to govern the Inspector General's office until Congress took further steps.
Where did Steuben live when he died?
Steuben never married, and he died on his 16,000 acre farm tract in the Mohawk Valley of New York, on November 28, 1794.
When did Von Steuben join the Prussian army?
In 1747, at 17, von Steuben enlisted in the Prussian army as a lance-corporal. Von Steuben was a second lieutenant in 1756 when The Seven Years War began, and he served throughout the conflict with distinction. Von Steuben was discharged from the Prussian army at the rank of captain on April 29, 1763, shortly after the Treaties ...
Who was von Steuben?
In April 1779, von Steuben returned to the Continental Army and served throughout the remainder of the war as General Nathanael Greene’s instructor and supply officer. He was present in the final campaign at Yorktown resulted in the American victory of the American Revolution. He died in New York on November 28, 1794.
How many men were in the Von Steuben drills?
Copies of the drills were given to each company and officer. Von Steuben established a “model company” of 100 men from each brigade in addition to the 50 Virginians that came from Washington’s Life Guard company to demonstrate new drills for the rest of the army.
What did Von Steuben do to get paid?
Von Steuben met with Congress, which arranged for von Steuben to be paid based upon the outcome of the war and his contributions. With a letter of introduction tucked in his pocket and a Russian wolfhound strolling alongside, von Steuben headed toward the Continental Army winter encampment at Valley Forge.
What was Von Steuben's first job?
Von Steuben’s first job was to create a standard method of drills for the entire army. He wrote the drills in French since he could not speak English and had his military secretary translate the drills into English.
When did von Steuben leave the army?
Von Steuben was discharged from the Prussian army at the rank of captain on April 29, 1763, shortly after the Treaties of Paris and Hubertusburg ended the war. That same year, 1763, von Steuben met the Frenchman Louis de St. Germain in the northern German town of Hamburg.
Where did Von Steuben travel to?
In 1777, he traveled to France where he caught wind of the riches that could be earned in the American Revolution. Von Steuben had connections with the French Minister of War and through him, the Baron met the American ambassadors to France, Silas Deane and Benjamin Franklin. Unfortunately, Deane and Franklin could not promise von Steuben rank ...
What did Baron von Steuben do for the military?
With his strict drills, showy presence and shrewd eye for military strategy, he helped turn them into a military powerhouse. pinterest-pin-it. Baron von Steuben drilling American recruits at Valley Forge in 1778. (Credit: Fotosearch/Getty Images)
What did von Steuben do when he arrived in camp?
When von Steuben arrived in camp, he was appalled by the conditions the soldiers had been fighting under, and immediately set to work drilling soldiers with strict Prussian techniques. He was a strict drillmaster, but he also socialized with the troops.
Why was Von Steuben dismissed from the military?
He also downplayed rumors that the baron had been dismissed from the Prussian military for homosexuality. Von Steuben joined the military when he was 17 and had become Frederick the Great ’s personal aide, but despite a seemingly promising career he was abruptly dismissed in 1763.
Who was the gay hero of the Revolutionary War?
The Revolutionary War Hero Who Was Openly Gay. Baron Friedrich von Steuben was known for his bravery and the discipline and grit he brought to the American troops. Author:
Did Baron von Steuben adopt a gay man?
“We love him,” North wrote, “and he deserves it for he loves us tenderly.”. After the war, von Steuben legally adopted both men— a common practice among gay men in an age before same-sex marriage was legal.
Did George Washington know von Steuben was in the army?
But he didn’t see von Steuben’s private life as relevant to his military qualifications. Neither did George Washington, who knew of the accusations but welcomed von Steuben to his camp and assigned Alexander Hamilton and John Laurens—both of whom were involved in what some historians have dubbed a “romantic friendship”—as his aides.
Did von Steuben get involved with Walker?
It’s likely that von Steuben became romantically and sexually involved with North, though it’s not clear how close he was to Walker. General Washington standing with Johann De Kalb, Baron von Steuben, Kazimierz Pulaski, Tadeusz Kosciuszko, Lafayette, John Muhlenberg, and other officers during the Revolutionary War.
How long did Von Steuben serve in the army?
Von Steuben spent 17 years in the Prussian army, fought in battles against Austria and Russia during the Seven Years’ War, became a captain, and attended Prussian king Frederick the Great’s elite staff school. But a vindictive rival schemed against him, and he was dismissed from the army during a 1763 peacetime downsizing.
What did Washington discover about von Steuben?
Washington’s confidence in von Steuben grew quickly. Within two weeks, he made the baron acting inspector general and asked him to examine the Continental Army’s condition. “What [Steuben] discovered was nothing less than appalling,” wrote Fleming in Washington’s Secret War. “He was confronting a wrecked army.
How many men did von Steuben train?
So, von Steuben put the entire army through Prussian-style drills, starting with a model company of 100 men. He taught them how to reload their muskets quickly after firing, charge with a bayonet and march in compact columns instead of miles-long lines.
When was von Steuben born?
Born into a military family in 1730 —at first, his last name was the non-noble Steuben—he was 14 when he watched his father direct Prussian engineers in the 1744 siege of Prague. Enlisting around age 16, von Steuben rose to the rank of lieutenant and learned the discipline that made the Prussian army the best in Europe.
What battle did the British lose in 1777?
When they lost the Battle of Brandywine in September 1777, the British had seized Philadelphia.
Where did Von Steuben live after the Revolution?
After the war, the governor of New York granted von Steuben a huge wilderness estate in the Mohawk Valley as a reward for his service in the war. Von Steuben died there in November 1794 at age 64. His importance to the Revolution is evident in Washington’s last act as commanding general.
Who was the Prussian general who trained the American troops during the American Revolutionary War?
When American troops faltered, Baron von Steuben helped whip them into shape. Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben was a Prussian soldier designated inspector general of the American Continental Army. He was in charge of training the troops in 1778 during the period of the American Revolutionary War. (Alamy)
Why did Baron von Steuben leave the gold coin?
Baron von Steuben was left with a single gold coin to cover his own expenses on the journey home. As North would later recall, such moments unmistakably revealed “the texture of his heart.” (Bowen, 71; Kapp, 627) No record remains of Walker’s private words to North.
What was the name of the dog that was on the ship that Baron von Steuben sailed?
First among his entourage was a decidedly spoiled miniature Italian greyhound, Azor, who was said to have a discerning ear for music. Azor had secured the affection of the crew by howling pitifully every time the captain of the ship attempted to sing. The human members of Steuben’s party included an attractive 17-year old French nobleman named Peter Duponceau, who had been hired in Paris to serve as the Baron’s personal secretary and translator. This role was particularly critical as Steuben couldn’t speak a word of English. (Bowling, 4; Bowen, 41-42; Kapp, 75-76; Palmer, 100).
Was Steuben a baron?
The Baron, in fact, was not a baron at all. Nor had he served as a general in Prussia. Born on September 17th, 1730, in Magdeburg, Germany, Steuben had grown up in poverty, the son of a Prussian army captain. It was true that Steuben had devoted his entire young adulthood in the Prussian military, serving there from the age of 16 to 34. During this time he was close friends with Prince Henry, the younger brother of Frederick the Great, both siblings known for partaking in same-sex passions. Henry was four years older than Steuben and was known to choose officers based on their looks. The Baron only achieved the rank of captain while in Prussia, having been dismissed there under circumstances only mentioned in whispers. (Palmer, 23)
Overview
Friedrich Wilhelm August Heinrich Ferdinand von Steuben (born Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin Louis von Steuben; September 17, 1730 – November 28, 1794), also referred to as Baron von Steuben (German: [fɔn ˈʃtɔʏbm̩]), was a Prussian military officer who played a leading role in the American Revolutionary War by reforming the Continental Army into a discipline…
Early life and education
Baron von Steuben was born in the fortress town of Magdeburg, Germany, on September 17, 1730, the son of Royal Prussian Engineer Capt. Wilhelm von Steuben and his wife, Elizabeth von Jagvodin. When his father entered the service of Empress Anna of Russia, young Friedrich went with him to Crimea and then to Kronstadt, staying until the Russian war against the Turks under General Burkhard Christoph von Münnich. In 1740, Steuben's father returned to Prussia and Fried…
First military service
Baron von Steuben joined the Prussian Army at age 17. He served as a second lieutenant during the Seven Years' War in 1756, and was wounded at the 1757 Battle of Prague. He served as adjutant to the free battalion of General Johann von Mayr and was promoted to first lieutenant in 1759. In August 1759 he was wounded a second time at the Battle of Kunersdorf. In the same year, he was appointed deputy quartermaster at the general headquarters. In 1761 he became adjutant of the …
Service in Hohenzollern-Hechingen
In 1764, Steuben became Hofmarschall to Fürst Josef Friedrich Wilhelm of Hohenzollern-Hechingen, a post he held until 1777. In 1769 the Duchess of Württemberg, niece of Frederick the Great, presented him with the Cross of the Order of De la Fidelite. In 1771 he began to use the title baron. That same year he accompanied the prince to France, hoping to borrow money. Failing to find funds, they returned to Germany in 1775, deeply in debt.
American Revolution
The Baron, his Italian Greyhound Azor (which he took with him everywhere), his young aide-de-camp Louis de Pontière, his military secretary, Peter Stephen Du Ponceau (then called Pierre Etienne Du Ponceau), and two other companions, reached Portsmouth, New Hampshire, on December 1, 1777, where they were almost arrested for being British because Steuben had mistakenly outfitted th…
Final years
Steuben became a U.S. citizen by act of the Pennsylvania legislature in March 1784 and later by the New York authorities in July 1786. With the war over, Steuben resigned from service and first settled with his longtime companion, William North, for whom he created a special room at his retreat he called the Louvre on Manhattan Island, where he became a prominent figure and elder in …
Personal life and death
Von Steuben died on November 28, 1794, at his estate in Oneida County, and was buried in a grove at what became the Steuben Memorial State Historic Site. The estate became part of the town of Steuben, New York, which was named for him.
Von Steuben had arrived in the United States with his 17-year-old secretary, Peter Stephen Du Ponceau. At Valley Forge, he began close relationships with Benjamin Walker and William North, t…
Legacy
Generally, Von Steuben Day takes place in September in many cities throughout the United States. It is often considered the German-American event of the year. Participants march, dance, wear German costumes and play German music, and the event is attended by millions of people. The German-American Steuben Parade is held annually in September in New York City. It is one of the largest p…
Military career
Early career
- Upon his return to Prussia, Steuben was unable to find suitable employment. He therefore returned to France and prepared to set out for America, strictly as a volunteer without promise of pay or rank. His passage to America was paid by the French government. On September 26, 1777, Baron von Steuben, his Italian greyhound, Azor, Louis de Pontiere, his aide de camp, and Pierre E…
Title
- When the Baron met with Congress, he presented them with a letter of introduction from Benjamin Franklin. The letter introduced him as \"His Excellency, Lieutenant General von Steuben, Apostle of Frederick the Great.\" Actually, Steuben had only been a captain. Through the translation of Steuben's position in the Prussian army, he was made a higher ranking officer in the American ar…
Aftermath
- Arrangements were made for Steuben to be paid following the successful completion of the war according to his contributions. Congress told the Baron to report to General Washington at Valley Forge. He arrived at the camp on February 23, 1778. One soldier's first impression of the Baron was \"of the ancient fabled God of War he seemed to me a perfect personification of Mars. The t…
Results
- Steuben made a favorable enough impression upon Washington to be appointed temporary Inspector General. He went out into the camp to talk with the officers and men, inspect their huts, and scrutinize their equipment. What he found was an army short of everything, except spirit. He was quoted as saying \"no European army could have held together in such circumstances.\"Ste…
Writing
- His first step was to write the drills for the army. At this time, each state used different drills and maneuvers, patterned upon various European methods. As Inspector General, Steuben's task was to create one standard method, thus coordinating the entire Continental Army. As he could not speak or write English, Steuben originally wrote the drills in French, the military language of Euro…
Background
- Up to this time, the American officers had accepted the British practice of letting the sergeants drill the men, as it was thought to be ungentlemanly for officers to do so. Steuben set a precedent by working with the troops directly. The American officers felt threatened by this practice, as well as by the seemingly unlimited powers of Steuben's office. Consequently, on June 15, 1778, Was…
Later years
- Throughout the war, Steuben had continually asked Congress for more money for his expenses. After the war, he continued petitioning for compensation for his services. Congress did pay a portion of the amount Steuben expected, but not all. New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia granted him land, of which he sold portions, but these payments never quite offset his living expenses. C…
Legacy
- Although he never received the financial rewards he expected, Steuben will never be forgotten in the annals of American history. His administrative brilliance in organizing, training, and preparing the Continental Army for battle will ensure his legacy in the cause of American independence.