General Von Steuben

Friedrich Wilhelm August von Steuben was born 17 September 1730, in Magdeburg, Prussia, and died 1794, in New York. If I am reading the German writing correctly, this plaque and statue of the great patriot general of the American Revolution is located in Potsdam, Germany.

Baron Von Steuben was born into a military family. He played a crucial role in the military success of the American Revolution. He had joined the Prussian army at the age of sixteen and served until the end of the Seven Years War. Rising to the rank of captain, he was for a time attached to the staff of Fredrick the Great. With his forceful Prussian bearing and colorful personality, Steuben had a wondrous effect on the downhearted Continental army, becoming one of General George Washington’s most valuable and trusted officers. He was charged to train the army as an efficient fighting machine, which he did, despite the fact that he spoke no English.

Baron Von Steuben

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The image, Steuben-Denkmal, is subject to copyright by SteffenKahl. It is posted here with permission via the Flickr API by barneykin, administrator of “The Revolution ed” pool.