Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben
|
|
|---|---|
Portrait by Charles Willson Peale, 1780
|
|
| Birth name | Friedrich Wilhelm August Heinrich Ferdinand Freiherr von Steuben |
| Nickname(s) | Baron von Steuben |
| Born | September 17, 1730 Magdeburg, Prussia |
| Died | November 28, 1794 (aged 64) Steuben, New York, U.S. |
| Buried |
Steuben Memorial State Historic Site, Remsen, New York, U.S.
|
| Allegiance |
|
| Service/ |
|
| Years of service |
|
| Rank | Major general |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Cross of the Order of De la Fidelite |
| Signature |  |
Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben (born September 17, 1730 – died November 28, 1794), often called Baron von Steuben, was a skilled army officer from Prussia (a powerful German kingdom). He played a very important role in the American Revolutionary War. He helped turn the American Continental Army into a well-trained and disciplined fighting force. His work greatly improved how American soldiers performed in battle. Because of his contributions, he is known as one of the founders of the United States Army.
Steuben grew up in a military family. He saw war from a young age, even observing a siege at 14. When he was 16 or 17, he joined the Prussian Army, which was famous for being the best in Europe. He served for 17 years, fighting in the Seven Years' War and rising to the rank of captain. He even worked closely with King Frederick the Great of Prussia, a famous military leader. After attending an elite military school, he left the Prussian army in 1763.
For 11 years, Steuben worked for a German prince. In 1771, he received the title of baron. When the American Revolution began in 1775, Steuben looked for military work. He couldn't find a job in Europe, so he decided to help the American cause. French contacts introduced him to American diplomats like Benjamin Franklin. Steuben impressed both the American Congress and General George Washington with his military experience and his willingness to serve without pay. Washington then made him the temporary Inspector General of the Continental Army.
Steuben was shocked by the poor condition of the American troops. He immediately began teaching them important military drills, tactics, and discipline, using Prussian methods. He wrote a famous manual called Regulations for the Order and Discipline of the Troops of the United States, which was used by the army for many years. He also helped stop waste and corruption, saving valuable supplies and money. As his training improved the army, Congress officially made him Inspector General with the rank of major general in 1778. He served as one of Washington's most trusted advisors for the rest of the war.
After the war, Steuben became a U.S. citizen. He received a large estate in New York as a reward for his service. He also became a member of the American Philosophical Society, a group that included many important American leaders.
Contents
The Life of Baron von Steuben
Early Years and Education
Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben was born on September 17, 1730, in Magdeburg, Prussia (which is now part of Germany). His father, Wilhelm von Steuben, was a Royal Prussian Engineer. When Friedrich was young, his family traveled with his father to places like Crimea and then to Kronstadt while his father served in the Russian army.
In 1740, his family returned to Prussia. Friedrich received his education in towns like Neisse and Breslau, taught by Jesuits. Even though he was taught by a Catholic group, his family was Protestant. Later in America, he joined the Reformed German Church. It is believed that at just 14 years old, he gained early military experience by serving with his father during a campaign in the War of the Austrian Succession.
Military Career in Prussia
Baron von Steuben joined the powerful Prussian Army when he was 17. He became a second lieutenant and fought in the Seven Years' War, starting in 1756. He was wounded in battle twice, first at the 1757 Battle of Prague and again at the Battle of Kunersdorf in 1759.
He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a first lieutenant and serving in important roles like deputy quartermaster. In 1761, he was captured by the Russians but later released. He eventually became a captain and served as a personal assistant, or aide-de-camp, to King Frederick the Great. In 1762, King Frederick, known for his military genius, personally selected Steuben for a special training course for promising young officers. After the war ended in 1763, many officers, including Steuben, were discharged from the army.
Serving a German Prince
In 1765, Steuben became a high-ranking official, called a Hofmarschall, for Prince Josef Friedrich Wilhelm of Hohenzollern-Hechingen, a small German state. He held this position until 1777. In 1769, he received a special award, the Cross of the Order of De la Fidelite, which allowed him to use the title of baron starting in 1771. He traveled with the prince to France in 1771, seeking money, but they returned to Germany in 1775, deeply in debt.
In 1777, Steuben met with American diplomats Silas Deane and Benjamin Franklin in Paris. They were looking for experienced military officers to help the American cause. However, the Continental Congress was hesitant to offer high ranks and pay to foreign officers. Steuben was told he would have to volunteer his services to the Americans. Franklin wrote a letter introducing Steuben to General George Washington, exaggerating Steuben's rank to make him seem more important. With travel funds provided, Steuben left Europe in September 1777, sailing on the frigate Flamand.
Joining the American Revolution
Steuben arrived in Portsmouth, New Hampshire on December 1, 1777, with his Italian Greyhound dog, Azor, and his companions. They were almost mistaken for British soldiers because of their red clothing. After being welcomed in Boston, they traveled to York, Pennsylvania, where the Continental Congress was meeting.
Steuben agreed to be paid after the war, based on his contributions. He arrived at Valley Forge on February 23, 1778, ready to serve as a volunteer. Soldiers were impressed by his appearance and military bearing. One soldier described him as looking like the "God of War."
Becoming Inspector General
General Washington quickly appointed von Steuben as temporary inspector general. Steuben immediately began inspecting the camp, talking with officers and soldiers, and checking their living conditions and equipment. He set new standards for cleanliness and camp organization, which became standard practice for many years. Before his arrival, there was no proper layout for tents or latrines, leading to unsanitary conditions.
Steuben created a plan for organized rows of tents for officers and soldiers. Kitchens and latrines were placed on opposite sides of the camp, with latrines on the downhill side for better hygiene. On May 5, 1778, based on Washington's recommendation, Congress officially appointed Steuben as Inspector General of the army, giving him the rank and pay of a major general. He also worked to fix problems with supplies and record-keeping, saving the army many valuable resources.
Training the Continental Army
Steuben chose 120 men from Washington's personal guard to be his "Model Company." He used these men to demonstrate military training. These trained soldiers then taught other troops in their regiments and brigades. Steuben's unique personality made him popular. He would train soldiers twice a day in his full uniform, even though the soldiers themselves often lacked proper clothing.
Since Steuben spoke little English, he wrote his drills in French, which was the common military language in Europe. His secretary, Pierre-Étienne du Ponceau, translated these drills into English each night with help from John Laurens and Alexander Hamilton, two of Washington's aides. This allowed the soldiers to practice the new drills the next day. Steuben's willingness to work directly with the men, and his colorful language, made him well-liked. He also became close friends with Captain Benjamin Walker, who became his aide-de-camp.
Steuben introduced a step-by-step training system. This system taught soldiers basic skills with and without weapons, then moved on to more complex regimental training. He made each company commander responsible for training new recruits. Steuben also emphasized the use of bayonets. American soldiers had not used bayonets effectively before, but Steuben's training made them crucial. For example, at the Battle of Stony Point, American soldiers won by using bayonet charges with unloaded muskets.
The positive effects of Steuben's training were first seen at the Battle of Barren Hill in May 1778 and then at the Battle of Monmouth in June 1778. Steuben, working at Washington's headquarters, was key in identifying the enemy's movements toward Monmouth. During the winter of 1778–1779, Steuben wrote his famous manual, Regulations for the Order and Discipline of the Troops of the United States, also known as the "Blue Book." This manual was used by the U.S. Army until 1814 and influenced American military tactics for many years.
Key Role in Southern Battles
In 1780, Steuben served on the court-martial that tried British Major John André for espionage. He later traveled south with General Nathanael Greene, who was leading the Southern campaign. Steuben was stationed in Virginia, where he helped organize supplies and soldiers for the army. He also assisted in the defense of Virginia, fighting in the Battle of Blandford. In the spring of 1781, he helped Greene's campaign by delivering 450 Virginia soldiers to Lafayette.
After a period of sick leave, Steuben rejoined the army for the final campaign at Yorktown. There, he commanded one of Washington's three divisions. In 1783, Steuben helped Washington with the process of ending the war and planning for the defense of the new nation. He also helped establish the Society of the Cincinnati, a group for officers who served in the war. He was honorably discharged from the military on March 24, 1784.
After the War: Final Years
Steuben became a U.S. citizen in 1784 in Pennsylvania and later in New York in 1786. After the war, he settled in Manhattan Island with his longtime companion, William North. He became an important figure in the German Reformed Church and served as president of the German Society of the City of New York, which helped German immigrants.
In 1783, the state of New Jersey gave Steuben an estate in Bergen County, known today as Steuben House. This property had been taken from a Loyalist during the war. It included a gristmill and about 40 acres of land. Steuben spent a lot of money to repair the house and restore its operations.
In 1788, Steuben sold the New Jersey property. He then moved to Oneida County, New York, where he had been granted land for his military service. He spent his summers there. In 1790, Congress awarded him a pension of $2,500 a year, which he received until his death.
Von Steuben died on November 28, 1794, at his estate in Oneida County. He was buried in a grove that is now the Steuben Memorial State Historic Site. The town of Steuben, New York, was named in his honor. He never married and had no children. He left his estate to his trusted companions and aides-de-camp, William North and Benjamin Walker, treating them like sons. Another young man, John W. Mulligan, also received part of his estate, including his library and cash.
Remembering Baron von Steuben
Steuben's Legacy Today
Today, Von Steuben Day is celebrated in September in many U.S. cities. It is a major event for German Americans. People march, dance, wear German costumes, and play German music. The German-American Steuben Parade in New York City is one of the largest parades there, followed by Oktoberfest celebrations. This parade has been held since 1958.
Chicago also hosts a von Steuben Day parade, which was even featured in the movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Philadelphia has a smaller Steuben Parade as well.
The Steuben Society was founded in 1919 to support American citizens of German background. It is now one of the largest organizations for Americans of German descent.
Places and Honors
Several ships have been named in von Steuben's honor. During World War I, a captured German ship was renamed USS Von Steuben. In World War II, a German passenger ship was called Dampfschiff General von Steuben. During the Cold War, the U.S. Navy submarine USS Von Steuben was named after him.
Many places in the United States are named Steuben, including Steuben County, New York, Steuben County, Indiana, and the city of Steubenville, Ohio. Steuben Hill is also named after him. Buildings like Von Steuben Metropolitan High School in Chicago and a cadet barracks at Valley Forge Military College bear his name.
Von Steuben is one of four European military leaders honored with a statue in Lafayette Square, near the White House in Washington, D.C.. This statue was dedicated in 1910. A copy was placed in Potsdam, Germany, in 1911, and another in Dahlem, Berlin, in 1987, celebrating German-American friendship. A statue also stands in his hometown of Magdeburg.
The Steuben House in River Edge, New Jersey, was given to Steuben for his service. This historic house is now a public museum and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Steuben in Popular Culture
Baron von Steuben has been shown in popular U.S. media. He was played by Nehemiah Persoff in The Rebels (1979) and Kurt Knudson in George Washington (1984). Arnold Schwarzenegger voiced him in the animated series Liberty's Kids, and David Cross portrayed him in an episode of Drunk History.
In 2007, a documentary DVD called Von Steuben's Continentals: The First American Army was released. This film shows the uniforms, camp life, weapons, and training of the Continental soldiers, as taught by Baron von Steuben.
Images for kids
-
Steuben's grave, Steuben, New York
-
Baron von Steuben (1910), Albert Jaegers, sculptor, Lafayette Square, Washington, D.C.
-
Baron von Steuben (1914), J. Otto Schweizer, sculptor, Memorial Parkway, Utica, New York.
-
Steubendenkmal (1911), Steubenplatz, Potsdam, Germany. A replica of the 1910 Washington, D.C. statue.
.jpg)
See Also
In Spanish: Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben para niños
