Baron Von Steuben The German Mason Who Changed Washington's Army by Robert C. Barnard, MPS The man historians call "the first teacher of the American Army" was born in the fortress of Magdeburg, Ger- many on September 17, 1730. He was christened seven days later by his grand- father, Augustin von Steuben, a minis- ter of the German Reform Church, who had inserted the "von" in front of his name in 1708. The child's full name was Friederich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin von Steuben. His father, Wilhelm von Steuben, was a lieutenant of engineers in the army of Frederick William I of Prussia. How- ever, soon after the birth of his son, he transferred his allegiance to Czarina Anne of Russia and took his family there. It was ten years before they re- turned to Germany, Lt.Von Steuben to the Prussian Army and little Frederick to the Jesuit School in Breslau. Completing his education at the age of seventeen, Frederick obtained a lieuten- ant's commission on the Prussian Army, first in the infantry and then as a staff officer. He served through the Seven Years War and when he was thirty, was transferred to the General Staff, which operated the Prussian war machine. Historians point out that it was Steuben's years of experience on the Prussian General Staff that made his services invaluable and unique when he came to America. At this time, Prussia was the only country with a general staff to coordinate the entire army from the top. Von Steuben was able to bring Washington's staff a technical training and equipment that was unknown in ei- ther the British or the French armies. To serve on the General Staff of Prussia in the time of Frederick, the Great, the military genius of the age, was to learn the art of war. Shortly after peace was signed, Captain von Steuben was discharged at the age of thirty-three. History fails to tell us whether Steuben had fallen from the King's favor or any other circumstances concerning the discharge. Biographers say that the reasons are "obscure" and we must draw our own conclusions. Failing to find military employment, Steuben obtained a position as chamber- lain in the court of the Prince of Hohen- zollern-Hechingen, a petty German state. Here, he was knighted and was awarded the rank of baron. When his prince became financially embarrassed, Steuben accompanied him to France in search of funds. The move was a mistake for both and Steuben re- turned to Germany several years later destitute of money and with no prospects in sight. It was at this low point in his career that Steuben made a friend of Benjamin Franklin who recognized his worth and recommended him to America's ambas- sador in France. Franklin's evaluation of Steuben was aided by that of Count de St. Germain, the French Minister of War. The count knew of Steuben's repu- tation as a German staff officer and knew that an accomplished graduate from the school of Frederick, the Great, would be "peculiarly qualified to give the Ameri- cans needed advice on military training, organization and administration. In 1777, the French had set up a bogus company, supposedly to trade with the American colonies, but in reality to aid them with arms and munitions. This corporation, Hortalez and Company, proposed to send Steuben to America with adequate funds, although they could not guarantee him any rank in the Continental Army. Steuben agreed to go as a distinguished gentleman volunteer. At this point, Franklin and the French authorities conspired in a deception, or more bluntly, they lied to ensure the ac- ceptance of Steuben in America. Letters were sent to Washington and the Con- tinental Congress introducing "Lieute- nant General von Steuben of the King of Prussia' s service. " Since Steuben had held no higher rank than major, he was living a lie when he came to America. The deception had the desired result. By the time George Washington learned that his great German general was a European fraud, Steuben had made himself so invaluable that he could not be replaced. He was beloved by the entire Continental Army. The new "lieutenant general," accom- pained by a military secretary and an aide-de-camp, sailed from Marseilles, arriving in America on December 1, 1777. He was received with high honors in Boston and by the Continental Con- gress . Steuben pleased the Americans by waiving all claim to rank or pay, asking only that his expenses be paid while he served as a volunteer with the army. Should his services "contribute to the success of the American cause, " he would expect compensation later. Con- gress accepted his services and sent him to Washington's headquarters at Valley Forge on February 23. Washington was so favorably impress- ed by his practical knowledge and his experience that he asked Steuben to act as inspector general and undertake the training of the army. The baron began immediately and since he spoke no Eng- lish, he overcame tremendous difficulties as he gave his orders and instructions through interpreters. He formed a model company of one hundred selected men and undertook its drill in person. Pretty good for a lieuten- ant general! This company became a shining example of military excellence and in a short time led the entire army to emulate its actions. Steuben's labors have been called "per- haps the most remarkable achievement in rapid military training in the history of the world." As Washington was the father of the American Army, so Steuben was its first teacher, says historian D.S. Freeman . As a drillmaster, Steuben was a humor- ous, but respected symbol of authority to the Continental soldiers. When all else failed, he would explode into foreign oaths and tell his translator that "these fellows won't do what I tell them. Come and swear at them for me in English! " Captain Walker, his aide, said that "his fits of passion were comical and amused the soldiers. " However, they also obeyed him with good humor and gusto. Units that used to march in sloppy, strung-out Indian fashion now advanced compactly, four abreast, and the whole army sud- denly moved faster and with greater res- olution. Steuben entertained the junior officers, stating in jest that none should be ad- mitted who had a pair of untorn trousers . Which was fine, for by this time, the winter and strenuous labors had not left one really decent pair of trousers at Val- ley Forge. Steuben called the young of- ficers his "sans-culottes" (without pants) soldier boys. He succeeded in winning their affection while he taught them to act like veterans. Because the Continentals lacked a set of written regulations, the inspector general compiled the American Army's first manual. He wrote it in French, an aide translated it into English and Alex- ander Hamilton put it into language un- derstandable to all. For instance, he described the position of a soldier at attention: "He is to stand straight and firm on his legs, the heels two inches apart; the toes turned out; the belly drawn in a little; the breast a little projected; the shoulders square to the front and kept back; the hands hanging down at the sides with the palms close to the sides. " American Army veterans today will recognize much of these in- structions, for although there are changes, the main idea has remained the same for 200 years. Von Steuben also brought a new profes- sional pride, just as important as his manual of arms. He became the Ameri- can substitute for all those competent British Army sergeants who made the enemy outfits work. Perhaps Steuben's most important as- set was his active belief that an officer must love and gain the love of his men by treating them with every kindness and being alert to their complaints. His attitude is shown in these words of praise for his new nation and people: "What a beautiful, happy country it is! No kings, prelates or blood-sucking tax collectors. Here, everybody is prosperous. I would cheerfully die for this nation. " The Continental, from General Wash- ington down, soon proved that they re- turned Steuben's feelings of esteem. When the greatly improved ar- my left Valley Forge, he was raised to the rank of Major General and commanded a wing of the army at the Battle of Mon- mouth. He was sent with General Greene to the South and commanded in Virginia while Greene won battles in the Carolinas . In the final great action of the war, having beseiged Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, Washington found Steuben's help invaluable. He knew seige warfare from his years in the Seven Years War. He commanded one of Washington's three divisions with pride and stood at attention while the tired, defeated British Army filed past the elated Amer- ican and French troops. Steuben attended Masonic Lodges whenever possible. He had been a Mason before coming to America and had served as Worshipful Master in the military Lodge of the Blazing Star in Berlin prior to 1777. He became a mem- ber of Trinity Lodge No. 12 in New York City and was made an honorary member of Holland Lodge No. 8 there. After the war, when the old hero visited France in 1789, he attended Lodge in Paris and brought his venerated friend, President Washington, an honorary membership from the French brethren. The Baron became an American citi- zen by act of the Pennsylvania legislature in 1783 and by act of the New York legislature in 1786. He became a social lion in his old age; president of the Ger- man Society and of the New York branch of the Cincinnati. He was proud to be a regent of the University of New York. He died on his own estate in the Mo- hawk country of New York on November 28, 1794. Eulogies from all over Amer- ica left no doubt of his permanent place in the affections of the rank and file of the Continental Army. Some modern historians feel that Steuben' s services have been over- praised. John R. Alden reminds us that"Washington's army was not a rabble in March or a perfect fighting machine in June. " This is probably true. Nevertheless, there is no doubt that General von Steuben was instrumental in converting the American Army into an effective and highly disciplined mili- tary force, necessary for the colonies to achieve victory and independence. He was a most worthy man and Mason. Bibliography I.Adams, James Truslow. Album of Ameruan His- tory, vol. I ,p. 398. 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