The Gay Austrian General: Trained At Valley Forge?

Prussian military officer Friedrich Wilhelm Rudolf Gerhard August, also known as Baron von Steuben, is believed by some historians to have been gay. Von Steuben, who was born in 1730 in the fortress town of Magdeburg in the Kingdom of Prussia, joined the Prussian Army at age 17 and served with distinction during the Seven Years' War. He was discharged from the Prussian military in 1763 for unknown reasons, and subsequently became chamberlain to the petty court of Hohenzollern-Hechingen. In 1777, he travelled to France and learned about the ongoing American Revolution. Through connections with the French Minister of War, he was introduced to Benjamin Franklin, who recommended him to General George Washington as a potential resource for the Continental Army. Von Steuben arrived at Washington's encampment at Valley Forge in February 1778 and began training soldiers in close-order drill, instilling much-needed discipline and confidence in the demoralized troops.

Baron von Steuben's early life

Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben was born on September 17, 1730, in the fortress town of Magdeburg in Prussia (now in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany). He was born into a military family and was exposed to war from an early age. At 14, he observed his father, a Royal Prussian Engineer Captain, directing Prussian engineers in the 1744 siege of Prague.

At 16 or 17, Steuben himself enlisted in the Prussian Army, which was considered the most professional and disciplined in Europe. He served as a second lieutenant during the Seven Years' War (1756-1763) and was wounded at the 1757 Battle of Prague. He was promoted to first lieutenant in 1759 and was wounded a second time at the Battle of Kunersdorf. Steuben went on to become adjutant to the free battalion of General Johann von Mayr and was appointed deputy quartermaster at the general headquarters in the same year. In 1761, he became adjutant to Major General Von Knobloch and subsequently attained the rank of captain, serving as aide-de-camp to Frederick the Great. In 1762, he was chosen as one of 13 young officers to participate in a special course of instruction delivered by the king himself.

However, Steuben's military career in Prussia came to an abrupt end in 1763 when he was discharged from the army, allegedly due to the machinations of a rival. After his discharge, Steuben spent 11 years as court chamberlain to the prince of Hohenzollern-Hechingen, a small German principality. During this time, he was honoured with the title of Freiherr, or 'free lord', and later, in 1771, he began using the title of baron.

In 1775, with the start of the American Revolution, Steuben's salary was reduced, and he sought new military opportunities. Unable to find employment in peacetime Europe, he decided to join the U.S. war effort through his connections with French and American diplomats, including Benjamin Franklin.

His military career in Prussia

Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben was born in 1730 in the fortress town of Magdeburg in Prussia (now Germany). At 17, he enlisted in the Prussian Army, which was considered the most professional and disciplined army in Europe. During his 17 years of military service, Steuben fought in several battles in the Seven Years' War (1756-1763) and rose to the rank of captain. Here is a detailed account of his military career in Prussia:

Military Career in Prussia

Steuben joined the Prussian Army at the age of 17, serving as a second lieutenant during the Seven Years' War. He fought in the 1757 Battle of Prague, where he was wounded, and later served as adjutant to General Johann von Mayr. In 1759, he was promoted to first lieutenant and fought in the Battle of Kunersdorf, where he was wounded again. That same year, he was appointed deputy quartermaster at the general headquarters.

In 1761, Steuben became the adjutant of Major General Von Knobloch but was taken prisoner by the Russians at Treptow. He was released and promoted to captain in 1762, serving as aide-de-camp to Frederick the Great. He also joined the King's elite school for young military officers, where he received advanced training in military leadership. However, Steuben's career in Prussia came to an abrupt end in 1763 when he was discharged from the army for unknown reasons.

There are speculations about the circumstances surrounding his discharge. Some suggest that he may have been dismissed due to homosexuality, as there were rumours about his relationships with young soldiers and other prominent figures. However, there is no concrete evidence to support these claims, and historians are still unsure of the exact reasons for his dismissal.

After his military service, Steuben spent 11 years as the court chamberlain to the Prince of Hohenzollern-Hechingen, a small German principality. During this time, he received honours such as the Order of Fidelity and the title of Freiherr or "free lord". In 1771, he began using the title of Baron and accompanied the prince to France in search of financial support. However, they returned to Germany in 1775, deeply in debt.

Steuben's military career in Prussia laid the foundation for his later contributions to the American Revolutionary War. His experiences as a General Staff member in the Prussian Army provided him with valuable knowledge and training that would eventually help transform the Continental Army into a disciplined and professional fighting force.

His time at Valley Forge

Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, also known as Baron von Steuben, arrived at Valley Forge on February 23, 1778, and reported for duty as a volunteer. He was appointed temporary Inspector General of the Continental Army by General George Washington.

Von Steuben's first impressions of the camp were not positive. He was quoted as saying, "no European army could have held together in such circumstances." He was appalled by the conditions the soldiers were living in and immediately set to work. He established standards of sanitation and camp layouts that would remain standard a century and a half later. He demanded that kitchens and latrines be on opposite sides of the camp, with the latter on a downhill slope. He also laid out a plan to have separate rows for command, officers, and enlisted men.

Von Steuben's first task was to create a standard method of drills for the entire army. As he could not speak or write English, he wrote the drills in French, which was the military language of Europe at the time. These were then translated into English by his secretary, Pierre-Étienne Du Ponceau (or Duponceau), with the help of John Laurens and Alexander Hamilton, two of Washington's aides-de-camp. The drills were then distributed to the brigade inspectors, who made copies for each respective brigade and regiment. Copies were then taken from the orderly book to each company and officer.

Von Steuben used a "model company" of about 100-120 men to demonstrate the drills to the rest of the troops. These men, in turn, trained other personnel at regimental and brigade levels. He also introduced a system of progressive training, starting with the school of the soldier, and going through the school of the regiment. This corrected the previous policy of assigning personnel to regiments without prior training.

Von Steuben's methods were highly effective, and he quickly transformed the Continental Army into a disciplined and professional fighting force. His contributions significantly improved the performance of U.S. troops and played a crucial role in helping the Americans win the Revolutionary War.

His contributions to the Continental Army

Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, a Prussian military officer, joined the Continental Army at General George Washington's encampment at Valley Forge in February 1778. Steuben's contributions to the Continental Army were significant and far-reaching. Here are some of the key areas in which he made an impact:

Training and Drills:

Von Steuben is best known for his role in training and drilling the Continental Army, instilling much-needed discipline and improving their fighting capabilities. He introduced strict Prussian techniques, focusing on close-order drills and efficient methods of firing and reloading weapons. Von Steuben's training methods were rigorous and intensive, but they transformed the Continental Army into a more professional and effective fighting force.

Standardization of Drills:

Before von Steuben's arrival, each state used different drills and maneuvers based on various European methods. One of his key contributions was to standardize these drills, creating one coordinated system for the entire Continental Army. This ensured uniformity and consistency in their training and tactics.

Model Company and Progressive Training:

Von Steuben utilized a "model company" approach, where he trained a group of selected men who would then train others. This created a cascading effect, allowing for efficient and effective training throughout the army. He also introduced a system of progressive training, starting with the school of the soldier and progressing through the school of the regiment. This ensured that soldiers received comprehensive and structured instruction.

Camp Sanitation and Organization:

Von Steuben implemented standards of sanitation and camp layouts that were ahead of their time. He organized the arrangement of tents and huts, designated specific areas for kitchens and latrines, and established rows for command, officers, and enlisted men. These improvements not only enhanced hygiene but also improved the overall functioning of the camp.

Administrative Efficiency:

Von Steuben addressed administrative waste and graft within the Continental Army. He enforced the keeping of accurate records and strict inspections, which helped save valuable supplies and funds. His attention to detail and administrative reforms contributed significantly to the army's overall efficiency.

Regulations and Discipline:

Von Steuben authored the "Regulations for the Order and Discipline of the Troops of the United States," commonly known as the "Blue Book." This drill manual standardized procedures and established discipline within the army. The "Blue Book" was used by the United States Army until 1814 and continued to influence military manuals for decades afterward.

Inspector General and Advisor:

Von Steuben served as the Inspector General of the Continental Army, a position to which he was appointed based on Washington's recommendation. In this role, he propagated his methods throughout the Patriot forces and ensured compliance with his regulations. He also served as one of Washington's most trusted advisors, eventually becoming his chief of staff.

Von Steuben's contributions to the Continental Army were instrumental in improving their performance and discipline. His training, regulations, and administrative reforms played a crucial role in the Continental Army's success during the Revolutionary War. His legacy endures through the lasting impact he had on the structure, training, and discipline of the United States military.

His personal life and legacy

Personal Life and Legacy

Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben is remembered for his bravery and the discipline and grit he brought to the American troops. He is also believed by some historians to have been gay. He never married and had no children, instead leaving his estate to his companions and aides-de-camp, William North and Benjamin Walker, with whom he had an "extraordinarily intense emotional relationship". He also left a vast library, a collection of maps, and $2,500 in cash to his secretary, John W. Mulligan, who was also thought to have been his romantic partner.

Von Steuben was born in 1730 in the fortress town of Magdeburg in Prussia (now Germany). He joined the Prussian Army at the age of 17 and served in the Seven Years' War, during which he was wounded twice and rose to the rank of captain. In 1763, he was abruptly discharged from the army for unknown reasons, though it is speculated that he was, or was accused of being, homosexual.

After his discharge, von Steuben spent 11 years as court chamberlain to the prince of Hohenzollern-Hechingen, a small German principality. In 1771, he was granted the title of baron, and in 1775, he began seeking military employment again. He inquired about serving in the British, French, Austrian, and other foreign armies but was unable to find a suitable position. In 1777, he travelled to France, where he learned about the American Revolution from the French Minister of War, Claude Louis, Comte de Saint-Germain. De Saint-Germain introduced von Steuben to the American ambassadors to France, Silas Deane and Benjamin Franklin, who in turn recommended him to General George Washington.

Washington appointed von Steuben as temporary Inspector General of the Continental Army, and he reported for duty at Valley Forge in February 1778. Appalled by the state of the army, von Steuben set about drilling soldiers in strict Prussian techniques. He also established standards of sanitation and camp layouts that would remain standard for over a century. On Washington's recommendation, von Steuben was commissioned Inspector General with the rank of Major General in May 1778. He served the remainder of the war as Washington's chief of staff and one of his most trusted advisors.

After the war, von Steuben was granted U.S. citizenship and a large estate in New York as a reward for his service. He lived with North and Walker in New York until his death in 1794. He was buried at his estate in Oneida County, which became the town of Steuben, New York, named in his honour.

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