"...he (von Steuben) hazarded his life and fortune at a critical period of our affairs without those obligations on his part which compelled Americans to do it and from that moment to the close of the war rendered essential services to the cause in which we were engaged."
- General George Washington in a letter to Charles Thompson, November 10, 1787
Video Courtesy of Discovery Education
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ConclusionBaron von Steuben's successful attempt to use unified drills for the whole army definitely had a great influence on the outcome of the American Revolution. Despite his Prussian Army achievements being over stated, the leadership skills Baron von Steuben had gained during his early military career served him well when he needed them. He never gave up after being discharged from the Prussian Army. He fought on until he found a job he excelled at and helped win a major war in America.
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"...I think his reforms helped to weed out the really incompetent officers because by this time there are still quite a few officers who really aren’t up to speed... if you don’t pay attention to those details in both the garrison environment and on the battlefield, you are going to stick out like a sore thumb."
-Dr. Weddle, The United States War Army College
"As Commander of the late American Army-as the best Judge of the services rendered by me to the United States, which your suffrace have received the most flattering, as well as the most authentic, stamp of their value and extent..."
-Von Steuben to President George Washington, 25 August 1789
Transcribed Letter #34
-Von Steuben to President George Washington, 25 August 1789
Transcribed Letter #34
"...von Steuben may have inflated his resume, may not have held the titles he claimed, but he knew he had the skills to serve, to reform the military, to make it more professional. And, in some ways, this is a very American story. He showed he had the capability to do so." -Dr. Spero, Williams College |
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"The inspector general was the most vital staff officer in an eighteenth-century army. He wore many hats. First, it was the inspector's duty to keep the army properly trained and well drilled. Second, an inspector was supposed to ensure that his army maintained its discipline on the march and in camp: encampments had to be laid out in a certain regulated way, for the sake of efficiency and cleanliness; guard details had to be posted according to a strict regimen. Third, the inspector acted as the enforcing arm of the supply officers. Someone had to make sure that the men were adequately clothed and fed, and that they kept up a soldierly appearance."
- Paul Lockhart
Quote courtesy of the Drillmaster of Valley Forge
- Paul Lockhart
Quote courtesy of the Drillmaster of Valley Forge