Posted on 04/10/2024 7:32:09 AM PDT by ProgressingAmerica
The Life of Frederick William Von Steuben: Major General in the Revolutionary Army - tells the story of Baron Steuben, who had been an officer in the Prussian army. Considered one of the fathers of the United States Army, he had a leading role in improving the Continental Army during the American Revolution and turning them into a professional fighting force.
https://librivox.org/the-life-of-frederick-william-von-steuben-by-friedrich-kapp/
Very interesting Revolutionary War character. While he was relatively undistinguished on the battle field, he was very much instrumental in assisting George Washington in developing the Continental Army into a more disciplined and effective fighting force.
He was thought to be about as openly gay as a person of his stature could be in the late 18th century.
Nevertheless, without this man we would not have won the war. Independence would have taken a long time to happen without him.
Ping......
von Steuben, Rochambeau and Lafayette and their talents were instrumental in winning the war. Amazing men!!
Nowhere near the accomplishments of military architect Tadeusz Kościuszko -Tadeusz Kościuszko, graduated from the Corps of Cadets in Warsaw, Poland,1766. Came to fight for the United States Revolutionary War as a colonel in the Continental Army. He designed and managed the construction of state-of-the-art fortifications, including West Point, New York. 1783, in recognition of his services, the Continental Congress promoted him to brigadier general.
Awarded the Eagle of the Society of the Cincinnati, by General George Washington.Kościuszko was chosen to aid Nathanael Greene in the Southern war, eventually retaking Charleston. Winning the South lost the War for Britain, and could not have been won without the civilian militia of armed citizens (not Loyal to Britain). Von Steuben brought professional organization to the Continental Army, which, by the time of Yorktown had not been paid for over a year.
Should add that had it not been for the second French warship fleet sailing up the coast from Havana with 1 million livres (raised from donations of a half million pesos by Havana Spanish citizens) they still would not have been paid. It is an amazing story, the story of the other French fleet of 30 ships of the line under Compte de Grasse sailing in time to deliver the Spanish/French hard currency to pay the Continentals.
Washington was very secretive of how many troops he had for battle- and this is mentioned several times in Rochambeau’s communiques. Due to hyperinflation of printed Continental money (sound familiar) the money would buy very little. In short the Revolution was nearly bankrupt. As we will be if we keep putting in Federal Reserve dupes who borrow to re-distribute money we do not have!! End rant.
Thank you very much.
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