What was friedrich von steuben famous for

Working quickly, and using translators, Von Steuben worked as a "drill sergeant", introducing European basic training methods, marching drills, uniform commands and tactics to the ragged farmer-soldiers. He initiated basic hygiene into the camp and instructed the men in musketry and artillery drills.

Washington was surprised and delighted by the professional display of his parading troops. He introduced Prussian concepts of general staff duties and European field tactics that could rival British and Hessian battle maneuvers. He taught the men to break camp quickly, fire in volley, attack en masse with bayonet and regroup or retreat in an orderly fashion. He demanded that military camps be kept sanitary and be ready for inspection, especially weapons and equipment.

He also set up a system of property accountability and supply procurement for the army, which was essential in stamping out corruption and waste. The "Regulations" or "Blue Book" as it is known, was used intact by the army until the War of , and it affected American military drills and tactics until the Mexican War of The harsh winter of , which rivaled Valley Forge for desperation, saw Von Steuben maintaining the morale and discipline of the soldiers at the encampment at Morristown, New Jersey.

For the spring campaign, "The Baron" was given a command of American troops in the field. Due to his knowledge of military engineering and siege tactics, Von Steuben built supply depots, arsenals and small forts in the South to harass the British. On the James River in Virginia, he built the Point of Forks Fort, which was later successfully evacuated when British General Cornwallis attacked it in the summer of His unit was employed at the Siege of Yorktown setting up the artillery barrage, and he was on hand when Cornwallis surrendered to George Washington on October 19, Von Steuben is depicted in the famous painting of the Yorktown Surrender by the artist John Trumbull.

Unfortunately, Deane and Franklin could not promise von Steuben rank or pay. He could only be a volunteer in the Continental Army, which made von Steuben furious enough to decline. Without any luck of finding another job, von Steuben decided to accept and set out to the British colonies. 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. His mission was to observe the American soldiers, equipment, skills, and living conditions. Von Steuben was extremely discouraged by the state of the Continental Army, yet the men that would soon fall under his tutelage were impressed.

He wrote the drills in French since he could not speak English and had his military secretary translate the drills into English. Copies of the drills were given to each company and officer. He worked with the troops directly and delivered the drills in a quick and simple manner.

In September , the disgraced baron sailed from France to volunteer for the Continental Army, bankrolled by a loan from his friend, French playwright Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais. Only the highest recommendation would make an impression back home. Congress, desperate for volunteers earlier in the war, had been overwhelmed by unemployed Europeans eager for military jobs, and the number of officers from overseas had begun to stir resentment among American-born officers.

Von Steuben landed at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, on December 1, , with four French aides to translate for him and a large dog named Azor. His exaggerated reputation spread fast. In Boston, he met John Hancock, who hosted a dinner for him, and chatted up Samuel Adams about politics and military affairs.

Next, von Steuben headed to York, Pennsylvania, the temporary American capital while the British occupied Philadelphia. Aware that the Continental Congress had soured on foreign volunteers, von Steuben offered to serve under Washington and asked to be paid only if America won the war. They took the deal and sent von Steuben to Valley Forge. A less courageous or less bankrupt man would have quit on the spot.

Now—following common military practice of the era—they had camped for the winter. But Valley Forge, their winter quarters, was nearly as punishing as battle: hastily built huts, cruel temperatures, scarce food.

The baron found soldiers without uniforms, rusted muskets without bayonets, companies with men missing and unaccounted for. Short enlistments meant constant turnover and little order. Regiment sizes varied wildly. Different officers used different military drill manuals, leading to chaos when their units tried to work together.

If the army had to fight on short notice, von Steuben warned Washington, he might find himself commanding one-third of the men he thought he had. The army had to get into better shape before fighting resumed in the spring.