Friedrich Wilhelm Augustus von Steuben was born in 1730 to a Swabian
father serving in the corps of engineers of the Prussian military. He spent
most of his early youth in Poland, in the Crimea and at Kronstadt on the
Gulf of Finland, and at age ten, when the family returned to Germany, he
was sent to Breslau for an education. By age 17, he was enlisted in a
Prussian infantry unit and he soon became a staff officer in the Seven Years
War. Steuben was one of thirteen staff officers personally selected for
special training in military science by King Friedrich the Great. The year
after Steuben was discharged as a captain from the army at age 33 in 1763,
he received the title of Baron through the noble patronage of Prince
Heinrich and others and he served as Grand Marshall in the household
guard of the bankrupt Catholic prince of Hohenzollern-Hechingen.
father serving in the corps of engineers of the Prussian military. He spent
most of his early youth in Poland, in the Crimea and at Kronstadt on the
Gulf of Finland, and at age ten, when the family returned to Germany, he
was sent to Breslau for an education. By age 17, he was enlisted in a
Prussian infantry unit and he soon became a staff officer in the Seven Years
War. Steuben was one of thirteen staff officers personally selected for
special training in military science by King Friedrich the Great. The year
after Steuben was discharged as a captain from the army at age 33 in 1763,
he received the title of Baron through the noble patronage of Prince
Heinrich and others and he served as Grand Marshall in the household
guard of the bankrupt Catholic prince of Hohenzollern-Hechingen.
| The Elusive Baron Von Steuben |
| Baron Von Steuben by Charles Willson Peale, 1781-82 |
Hoping to improve his finances and relieve his many debts, he explored various prospects, including
possible marriage, for securing a more lucrative appointment or position, but none seemed
forthcoming. Upon finding out that Benjmin Franklin was in Paris, Steuben traveled there in the
summer of 1777. He was recommended for service in Washington's army by the French Minister of
War and introduced by means of a letter from Franklin as a "Lieutenant General in the King of
Prussia's service", thus he found future employment. Facing storms, mutiny and fire aboard his
gunpowder-laden transport, he reached Portsmouth, New Hampshire in September of 1777. Steuben
proceeded to Boston where he met Samuel and John Adams and presented his letters of introduction
and recommendation to John Hancock.
possible marriage, for securing a more lucrative appointment or position, but none seemed
forthcoming. Upon finding out that Benjmin Franklin was in Paris, Steuben traveled there in the
summer of 1777. He was recommended for service in Washington's army by the French Minister of
War and introduced by means of a letter from Franklin as a "Lieutenant General in the King of
Prussia's service", thus he found future employment. Facing storms, mutiny and fire aboard his
gunpowder-laden transport, he reached Portsmouth, New Hampshire in September of 1777. Steuben
proceeded to Boston where he met Samuel and John Adams and presented his letters of introduction
and recommendation to John Hancock.
Steuben’s Offer of Service to Congress
Portsmouth, December 6, 1777.
Honorable Gentlemen:
The honor of serving a respectable Nation, engaged in the noble enterprise of defending its rights and Liberty, is the only
motive that brought me over to this Continent. I ask neither riches nor titles. I am come here from the remotest end of
Germany at my own expense, and have given up an honorable and lucrative rank; I have made no condition with your
Deputies in France, nor shall I make any with you. My only ambition is to serve you as a Volunteer, to deserve the
confidence of your General in Chief, and to follow him in all his operations, as I have done during seven campaigns with
the King of Prussia. Two and a twenty years past at such a school seem to give me a right of thinking myself in the number
of experienced Officers; and if I am Possessor of some talents in the Art of War, they should be much dearer to me, if I
could employ them in the service of a Republick, such as I hope soon to see America. I should willingly purchase at my
whole Blood’s Experience the honor of seeing one Day my Name after those of the defenders of your Liberty. Your
gracious acceptance will be sufficient for me, and I ask no other favour than to be received among your Officers. I dare
hope you will agree to my Request, that you will be so good as to send me your Order to Boston, where I shall expect
them and accordingly take convenient Measures.
I have the honor to be, with respect, honorable Gentlemen
Your most obedient and very humble servant. Steuben.
Portsmouth, December 6, 1777.
Honorable Gentlemen:
The honor of serving a respectable Nation, engaged in the noble enterprise of defending its rights and Liberty, is the only
motive that brought me over to this Continent. I ask neither riches nor titles. I am come here from the remotest end of
Germany at my own expense, and have given up an honorable and lucrative rank; I have made no condition with your
Deputies in France, nor shall I make any with you. My only ambition is to serve you as a Volunteer, to deserve the
confidence of your General in Chief, and to follow him in all his operations, as I have done during seven campaigns with
the King of Prussia. Two and a twenty years past at such a school seem to give me a right of thinking myself in the number
of experienced Officers; and if I am Possessor of some talents in the Art of War, they should be much dearer to me, if I
could employ them in the service of a Republick, such as I hope soon to see America. I should willingly purchase at my
whole Blood’s Experience the honor of seeing one Day my Name after those of the defenders of your Liberty. Your
gracious acceptance will be sufficient for me, and I ask no other favour than to be received among your Officers. I dare
hope you will agree to my Request, that you will be so good as to send me your Order to Boston, where I shall expect
them and accordingly take convenient Measures.
I have the honor to be, with respect, honorable Gentlemen
Your most obedient and very humble servant. Steuben.
Congress gladly accepted his offer, and on January 9, 1778, General
Washington replied to Steuben, asking him to proceed to York,
Pennsylvania, and John Hancock furnished him a sleigh and horses for the
tedious journey to Pennsylvania. Steuben, who did not speak English,
reported for duty to General Washington at Valley Forge. Steuben,
however, communicated in French with some of the officers and Alexander
Hamilton and Nathanael Greene helped him draft a training program for
soldiers which Washington approved. Steuben, with his knowledge and his
forceful, engaging personality, turned the ragged troops at Valley Forge into
an army.
Washington replied to Steuben, asking him to proceed to York,
Pennsylvania, and John Hancock furnished him a sleigh and horses for the
tedious journey to Pennsylvania. Steuben, who did not speak English,
reported for duty to General Washington at Valley Forge. Steuben,
however, communicated in French with some of the officers and Alexander
Hamilton and Nathanael Greene helped him draft a training program for
soldiers which Washington approved. Steuben, with his knowledge and his
forceful, engaging personality, turned the ragged troops at Valley Forge into
an army.
He began by constructing a "model company," a group of 100 chosen men
he personally trained wearing his full military dress, and they in turn
successively worked outward into each brigade. Within two weeks, through
his exceptional work, Steuben was appointed Inspector General of the
Continental Army by Washington. Besides being a supreme drill master,
Von Steuben also introduced a system of progressive training and
established a standard of sanitation and camp layouts. Perhaps Steuben's
biggest contribution to the American Revolution, however, was training in
the use of the bayonet which the Americans until then used mostly as a
skewer over the campfire rather than a fighting instrument.
he personally trained wearing his full military dress, and they in turn
successively worked outward into each brigade. Within two weeks, through
his exceptional work, Steuben was appointed Inspector General of the
Continental Army by Washington. Besides being a supreme drill master,
Von Steuben also introduced a system of progressive training and
established a standard of sanitation and camp layouts. Perhaps Steuben's
biggest contribution to the American Revolution, however, was training in
the use of the bayonet which the Americans until then used mostly as a
skewer over the campfire rather than a fighting instrument.
While here at Valley Forge, Steuben formed a life-long friendship with English born Captain
Benjamin Walker. Walker, fluent in French and English, was a Captain in the Second New York
Regiment when Steuben arrived. Upon seeing the general's frustration over language difficulties,
Walker had come forward on the drill-ground and offered his services as an interpreter. He became
Steuben’s aide-de-camp and managed his correspondence as well. Walker would tend to the
general's affairs even after the war.
Benjamin Walker. Walker, fluent in French and English, was a Captain in the Second New York
Regiment when Steuben arrived. Upon seeing the general's frustration over language difficulties,
Walker had come forward on the drill-ground and offered his services as an interpreter. He became
Steuben’s aide-de-camp and managed his correspondence as well. Walker would tend to the
general's affairs even after the war.
During the winter of 1778-1779, Steuben prepared "Regulations for the Order and Discipline of the
Troops of the United States" complete with eight engraved illustrations by Pierre Charles L'Enfant. It
was also known as the "Blue Book" since it was at first covered with the blue paper which was
available when high-quality printing paper being scarce during wartime. On March 29, Congress
endorsed it, ordering its use throughout the Army. State militias also took it up. From 1779 until
1809, nearly 80 successive printings were issued. After the war was over, Washington pushed
through the Uniform Militia Act, which included Steuben's Regulations as required use.
Troops of the United States" complete with eight engraved illustrations by Pierre Charles L'Enfant. It
was also known as the "Blue Book" since it was at first covered with the blue paper which was
available when high-quality printing paper being scarce during wartime. On March 29, Congress
endorsed it, ordering its use throughout the Army. State militias also took it up. From 1779 until
1809, nearly 80 successive printings were issued. After the war was over, Washington pushed
through the Uniform Militia Act, which included Steuben's Regulations as required use.
"A Captain cannot be too careful of the company the state has committed to his charge. He must pay the greatest
attention to the health of his men, their discipline, arms, accouterments, ammunition, clothes and necessaries. His
first object should be, to gain the love of his men, by treating them with every possible kindness and humanity,
inquiring into their complaints, and when well founded, seeing them redressed. He should know every man of his
company by name and character. He should often visit those who are sick, speak tenderly to them, see that the
public provision, whether of medicine or diet, is duly administered, and procure them besides such comforts and
conveniences as are in his power. The attachment that arises from this kind of attention to the sick and wounded,
is almost inconceivable; it will moreover be the means of preserving the lives of many valuable men."
attention to the health of his men, their discipline, arms, accouterments, ammunition, clothes and necessaries. His
first object should be, to gain the love of his men, by treating them with every possible kindness and humanity,
inquiring into their complaints, and when well founded, seeing them redressed. He should know every man of his
company by name and character. He should often visit those who are sick, speak tenderly to them, see that the
public provision, whether of medicine or diet, is duly administered, and procure them besides such comforts and
conveniences as are in his power. The attachment that arises from this kind of attention to the sick and wounded,
is almost inconceivable; it will moreover be the means of preserving the lives of many valuable men."
Von Steuben's service was exemplary throughout the war. He was remarkable for the generosity and
fineness of his nature, spending his entire income beyond what was essential to his own needs in
purchasing clothing and rations for his men. He concluded his war service as commander of one of
the three divisions of Washington's troops in the siege-trenches surrounding the British at Yorktown.
It was he who ordered the American flag to be flown above the surrendered British works at
Yorktown on October 19, 1781.
fineness of his nature, spending his entire income beyond what was essential to his own needs in
purchasing clothing and rations for his men. He concluded his war service as commander of one of
the three divisions of Washington's troops in the siege-trenches surrounding the British at Yorktown.
It was he who ordered the American flag to be flown above the surrendered British works at
Yorktown on October 19, 1781.
His personal finances were so bad at this point he had to sell his favorite horse and a set of silver
tableware in order to host a victory party for Allied commanders after their success at Yorktown.
Washington loaned Steuben enough cash to depart, but his purse was nearly empty. He later helped
Washington demobilize the army in 1783 and aided in the new national defense plan. Steuben
became an American citizen by act of Pennsylvania legislature in March, 1784, and later by the New
York authorities in July, 1786. He was honorarily discharged from the military on March 24, 1784.
tableware in order to host a victory party for Allied commanders after their success at Yorktown.
Washington loaned Steuben enough cash to depart, but his purse was nearly empty. He later helped
Washington demobilize the army in 1783 and aided in the new national defense plan. Steuben
became an American citizen by act of Pennsylvania legislature in March, 1784, and later by the New
York authorities in July, 1786. He was honorarily discharged from the military on March 24, 1784.
General Washington’s Farewell Token of Sincere Friendship
Annapolis, December 23, 1783
My Dear Baron: Although I have taken frequent opportunities, both in public and private, of acknowledging your
zeal, attention and abilities in performing the duties of your office, yet I wish to make use of this last moment of my
public life to signify in the strongest terms my entire approbation of your conduct, and to express my sense of the
obligations the public is under to you for your faithful and meritorious service.
I beg you will be convinced, my dear Sir, that I should rejoice if it could ever be in my power to serve you more
essentially than by expressions of regard and affection. But in the meantime I am persuaded you will not be
displeased with this farewell token of my sincere friendship and esteem for you.
This is the last letter I shall ever write while I continue in the service of my country. The hour of my resignation is
fixed at twelve this day, after which I shall become a private citizen on the banks of the Potomac, where I shall be
glad to embrace you, and testify the great esteem and consideration, with which I am, my dear Baron, your most
obedient and affectionate servant.
George Washington
Annapolis, December 23, 1783
My Dear Baron: Although I have taken frequent opportunities, both in public and private, of acknowledging your
zeal, attention and abilities in performing the duties of your office, yet I wish to make use of this last moment of my
public life to signify in the strongest terms my entire approbation of your conduct, and to express my sense of the
obligations the public is under to you for your faithful and meritorious service.
I beg you will be convinced, my dear Sir, that I should rejoice if it could ever be in my power to serve you more
essentially than by expressions of regard and affection. But in the meantime I am persuaded you will not be
displeased with this farewell token of my sincere friendship and esteem for you.
This is the last letter I shall ever write while I continue in the service of my country. The hour of my resignation is
fixed at twelve this day, after which I shall become a private citizen on the banks of the Potomac, where I shall be
glad to embrace you, and testify the great esteem and consideration, with which I am, my dear Baron, your most
obedient and affectionate servant.
George Washington
Steuben had taken up residency in New York where he hoped to be honorably recompensed for his
invaluable services, but he would have a long, long wait and it was not until June of 1790 when he
was granted a yearly pension of $2,500 and by then he was deeply in debt. His financial problems
temporarily abated when Alexander Hamilton and other friends helped him obtain a "friendly"
mortgage on property he was given in New York, but for years there were various snags with deeds
and paperwork. Even so, he remained charitably minded and he was a regent of New York
University and one of the organizers of the Deutsche Gesellschaft, a charitable organization in New
York State for the benefit of German immigrants and remained its president from 1785 to his death.
invaluable services, but he would have a long, long wait and it was not until June of 1790 when he
was granted a yearly pension of $2,500 and by then he was deeply in debt. His financial problems
temporarily abated when Alexander Hamilton and other friends helped him obtain a "friendly"
mortgage on property he was given in New York, but for years there were various snags with deeds
and paperwork. Even so, he remained charitably minded and he was a regent of New York
University and one of the organizers of the Deutsche Gesellschaft, a charitable organization in New
York State for the benefit of German immigrants and remained its president from 1785 to his death.
In 1794, the Baron von Steuben died in poverty while living in a primitive log-house built in the midst
of an untamed wilderness in the 16,000 acres the New York legislature had granted to Steuben at the
close of the Revolutionary War, just west of what is today Remsen, New York. He never married,
but he adopted one of his former aides, William North, and Benjamin Walker was also like a son to
him. Both North and Walker were heirs and executors of Steuben's will when he died at age 64. He
was buried in a plain pine coffin in an unmarked grave, wrapped in his military cloak and attended by
his old friend and aide-de-camp, Ben Walker.
of an untamed wilderness in the 16,000 acres the New York legislature had granted to Steuben at the
close of the Revolutionary War, just west of what is today Remsen, New York. He never married,
but he adopted one of his former aides, William North, and Benjamin Walker was also like a son to
him. Both North and Walker were heirs and executors of Steuben's will when he died at age 64. He
was buried in a plain pine coffin in an unmarked grave, wrapped in his military cloak and attended by
his old friend and aide-de-camp, Ben Walker.
Many towns have been named after him, notably in New York, Maine, Michigan, Wisconsin, and
there are Steubenvilles in both Ohio and Kentucky. The National German American Alliance
sponsored the von Steuben monument in Valley Forge, which was dedicated in 1915, as well as
other monuments. The Alliance was founded on October 6, 1901, to promote and preserve
German culture in America. At its height, the organization had 2.5 million members. Given a
Congressional Charter in 1907, it promoted German language instruction in school and the
foundation of educational and historical societies and literary journals. It was led by Dr. Charles
J. Hexamer from its beginning until 1917, when in a fit of anti-German hysteria its charter was
revoked. The sculptor Jakob Otto Schweizer was a native of Zurich, Switzerland and educated in
both Zurich and Dresden before moving to Florence in 1889.
there are Steubenvilles in both Ohio and Kentucky. The National German American Alliance
sponsored the von Steuben monument in Valley Forge, which was dedicated in 1915, as well as
other monuments. The Alliance was founded on October 6, 1901, to promote and preserve
German culture in America. At its height, the organization had 2.5 million members. Given a
Congressional Charter in 1907, it promoted German language instruction in school and the
foundation of educational and historical societies and literary journals. It was led by Dr. Charles
J. Hexamer from its beginning until 1917, when in a fit of anti-German hysteria its charter was
revoked. The sculptor Jakob Otto Schweizer was a native of Zurich, Switzerland and educated in
both Zurich and Dresden before moving to Florence in 1889.
Steuben's introduction of effective bayonet charges became critical and paid off in the Battle of
Stony Point, when American soldiers attacked with unloaded rifles and won the battle solely because
of Steuben's bayonet training.
Stony Point, when American soldiers attacked with unloaded rifles and won the battle solely because
of Steuben's bayonet training.
A few years after his death, the townsfolk decided to run a road directly over Steuben's grave, and
managed to hack off part of the exposed coffin when Ben Walker had the remains transferred to
what is now known as the "Sacred Grove." On a boulder near his grave in Steuben Memorial Park,
Oneida County, N.Y., is an inscription that reads, "His Services Were Indispensable to the
Achievement of American Independence."
managed to hack off part of the exposed coffin when Ben Walker had the remains transferred to
what is now known as the "Sacred Grove." On a boulder near his grave in Steuben Memorial Park,
Oneida County, N.Y., is an inscription that reads, "His Services Were Indispensable to the
Achievement of American Independence."
He moved to the United States in 1894 and was a member in the German Society of Pennsylvania, also led by Charles
Hexamer. Schweizer's first commission was to create a monument of Peter Muhlenberg, now located at the Philadelphia
Museum of Art. Some of Schweizer's other monuments include two other von Steuben monuments in Utica, New York
and Milwaukee, the Abraham Lincoln statue at the Pennsylvania Memorial in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and others. The
Baron von Steuben memorial was unveiled on October 9, 1915 and Dr. Hexamer was the main speaker of the day. He
spoke poignantly and emotionally, and admonished the media for its vicious attacks upon Germany and German-
Americans during the World War One hysteria, claiming the attacks did “shame and discredit to our nation.” His
emotional speech was termed a "rant" by the press, and some also claimed the monuments were nothing more than "Hun
propaganda".
Hexamer. Schweizer's first commission was to create a monument of Peter Muhlenberg, now located at the Philadelphia
Museum of Art. Some of Schweizer's other monuments include two other von Steuben monuments in Utica, New York
and Milwaukee, the Abraham Lincoln statue at the Pennsylvania Memorial in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and others. The
Baron von Steuben memorial was unveiled on October 9, 1915 and Dr. Hexamer was the main speaker of the day. He
spoke poignantly and emotionally, and admonished the media for its vicious attacks upon Germany and German-
Americans during the World War One hysteria, claiming the attacks did “shame and discredit to our nation.” His
emotional speech was termed a "rant" by the press, and some also claimed the monuments were nothing more than "Hun
propaganda".
Drum calls regulated the soldier's day in von Steuben's time, and since his regulation did not allow
verbal commands, each man had to learn to respond instantly to the drum. Therefore, Chapter 21 of
von Steuben's regulation was entitled "Of the Different Beats of the Drum" and it standardized drum
calls and their functions into two categories: beats and signals. Beats were calls directed to an entire
encampment or sounded at specific times, while signals were calls directed to only a portion of the
encampment. Until 1781, when the Army needed more fighting men, musicians enlisted solely as
musicians and were exempt from soldiering and were mostly young boys from the ages 9 to 14. But
drummers and fifers were from then picked from the ranks of enlisted personnel.
verbal commands, each man had to learn to respond instantly to the drum. Therefore, Chapter 21 of
von Steuben's regulation was entitled "Of the Different Beats of the Drum" and it standardized drum
calls and their functions into two categories: beats and signals. Beats were calls directed to an entire
encampment or sounded at specific times, while signals were calls directed to only a portion of the
encampment. Until 1781, when the Army needed more fighting men, musicians enlisted solely as
musicians and were exempt from soldiering and were mostly young boys from the ages 9 to 14. But
drummers and fifers were from then picked from the ranks of enlisted personnel.
