Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben Biography

Dromo's Den

STEUBEN, Friedrich Wilhelm von, Baron (1730–94). A German-American soldier, born at Magdeburg, Prussia. He was educated at the Jesuit colleges of Neisse and Breslau, and at the age of 14 served as a volunteer under his father at the siege of Prague (q.v.). In 1747 he was appointed cadet of infantry, and in 1758, after promotions, became an adjutant general with the rank of captain. He fought with distinction in the Seven Years’ War, at its end becoming grand marshal of the Prince of Hohenzollern-Hechingen, in which position he remained until about 1774. In 1777 Saint-Germain, the French Minister of War, induced him to go to America, and he arrived at Portsmouth, N. H., in the beginning of 1778. He immediately offered his services as a volunteer to Congress and was directed to join the army at Valley Forge. This he did Feb. 23, 1778, and in May, 1778, he was appointed instructor general of the Continental army with the rank of major general. He devoted himself to the task of reorganizing the army on the European model, drilling untrained soldiers and introducing system. He increased the general efficiency of the army, contributing greatly to the success of ensuing campaigns. At Monmouth he rendered valuable service, and in 1780 he was sent with a separate command to coöperate with General Greene in Virginia, where he opposed the marauding expedition of Benedict Arnold, and finally took an active part in the siege of Yorktown. In 1780 he prepared a manual for the army which came into general use. After the war he received grants of land from several States, and finally Congress voted him a tardy pension of $2400. For several years he lived in New York City and then removed to the tract of land (Steuben Township) granted to him by New York, where he lived in a log cabin (near the site of the present Utica) until his death, Nov. 28, 1794. A monument to Baron Steuben was unveiled at Utica, N. Y., Aug. 3, 1914. Friedrich Kapp has written the most trustworthy biography (New York, 1859).

The New International Encyclopaedia, Vol. XXI (New York: Dodd, Mead & Co., 1920) 517-518.