Baron Von Steuben

Baron Von Steuben

       On Febraury 23, 1778 George Washington went over to Valley forge to meet Baron Von Steuben. Baron Von Steuben was a lieutenant General from a noble Prussian family, who faithfully fought in his army and was living on income from numerous of his estates. Washington like Steuben's  sincerity. The soldiers loved his style and broken English. Steuben wanted to be recognized as an American citizen by helping Washington with his army. Steuben seemed gave a good impression to Washington, he was accompanied only by his secretary, a servant, and a dog he loved to death, Azor. What was Steuben's role in the war? Well, without him, the war could have ended much sooner that it actually did, with the soldiers freezing to death in Valley Forge, or waste all their ammo taking potshots at the British.
   Born a commoner in 1730, Captain Steuben served on the staff of Frederick the Great during the Seven Years' War. After the war ended, Steuben was dismissed from the army when Frederick the Great cut military spending drastically. By the mid 1770 he had become baron, but was broke, and needed a better position. He stroke luck when he met Benjamin Franklin in Paris, who recognized him as a talented and experienced soldier who could bring the much needed order to the Continental Army. Congress appointed Steuben as a Major General and the Inspector General of the Continental Army. Steuben put great effort into the soldiers and trained them to march, use the bayonet, and execute orders quickly on the battlefield.
     The time came and when the Continental Army finally went out of Valley Forge in June 1778, the trained and hardened  Americans gave a much stronger fight to the British at Monmouth. After the battle, Washington sent Steuben to help Nathanael Greene in the South and later the Baron a battalion to command at Yorktown. Washington's  final letter to Steuben thanked him or all his faithful help and effort. Steuben became an American citizen and died in 1794. Without doubt, Steuben was a key factor in the patriots side, and they probably couldn't ave done it without him.