Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben was a major contributor to the success of the American Revolution. He has been called many things: "One of the most effective professional soldiers in all history," "Prussian drillmaster," to "Bankrupt German mercenary." All of these may be true.
In 1595, Freidrich's great-great-grandfather, Klaus Steube, was a miller. Friedrich's grandfather, Augustin Steube, was a Protestant minister who married the Countess Charlotte von Effern. Augustin assumed the noble title of "von" and changed the spelling to Steuben, an old noble family which had become extinct. The ruse was successful and it opened the doors of the Prussian officer society to Augustin von Steuben's descendants. Friedrich's father was a Captain in the Royal Prussian Corp of Engineers. The sixteen-year old Friedrich joined the army as a lance-corporal in 1746. During the Seven Years' War, he became a Lieutenant in an irregular unit of deserters and prisoners of war. This was valuable experience for him in leading troops, with less than perfect discipline, in partisan warfare. In 1761 he was appointed Quartermaster Lieutenant on the staff of Frederick the Great, with responsibility for planning marching routes, schedules, resting places, and supply coordination. After 17 years of service, Steuben resigned from the Prussian army in 1763. He soon found an appointment in a civilian job as Master of Ceremonies to the Prince of Hohenzollern-Hechingen. In 1771, he was made a Baron by the Prince.
Never happy as a civilian, Steuben contacted France, Great Britain, and the House of Hapsburg, offering, without success, his services as a military man. Through a friend, negotiations with Benjamin Franklin began in Paris. Agreement was reached and in early February of 1778, Steuben rode into Valley Forge. Steuben was described as a former Lieutenant General when the highest position he had held was less than a Captaincy. The troops he found there were cold, hungry, sick, barefoot, and bereft of uniforms and quality weapons.
Washington probably understood that Steuben's exalted rank was false. Yet, his service on the staff of the exalted Prussian king did set him apart. It was better to let the deception stand. The confidence of Washington in Steuben was fully justified.
( These comments from Prof. Robert A. Selig, in the magazine, "German Life," for August/September 1997, will be continued. )
We gratefully acknowledge the work of John Blankenbaker who published over 2,500 Germanna History Notes via the Germanna-L@rootsweb.com email list from 1997 to 2008. We are equally thankful to George Durman (Sgt. George) for hosting the list and republishing the notes via rootsweb.com.