The Drillmaster of Valley Forge: The Baron de Steuben and the Making of the American Army Kindle Edition

Author Lockhart has performed a valuable service in providing a very readable biography of Frederick William Baron von Steuben for anyone interested in the American Revolutionary War. The work covers von Steuben's life until his death in the Mohawk Valley in 1794 at the age of sixty-four. It is clearly sympathetic to von/de Steuben, and makes a firm case that von Steuben was much more important to the patriot cause than for just his work at Valley Forge for three months in 1778. If there is any fault to this book it is in the rather light treatment of the time for which von Steuben is famous -- the drilling of troops at Valley Forge and the creation of his Revolutionary War Drill Manual. However, that manual is available in paperback from Dover Publications as "Baron von Steuben's Revolutionary War Drill Manual, A Facsimile Reprint of the 1794 Edition." I recommend its acquisition by all parties interested in the detail that Lockhart skips over. The often dispargingly mentioned falsification of von Steuben's credentials that he used to gain acceptance by Washington and the Continental Congress is covered well by this book. It appears that von Steuben himself was not responsible for the deception, but he went along with Deane and Beaumarchais in order to obtain the his goals. As soon as possible von Steuben cleared the air with Washington and was able to establish himself with the Commander-in-Chief on an honest and forthright basis. The result was his eventual elevation to Inspector General at Washington's request. He became the embodiment of the American drean where an immigrant comes to the US and remakes himself into an important contributor in American history. Personally, my great-great-great-Grandfather was one of those men selected to form the "model company" for von Steuben to drill and then act as instructors/demonstrators to the remainder of the army. I felt this episode could have been covered more heavily. For example, the author fails to mention that the men of the model company were then added to Washington's Lifeguard and subsequently acquited themselves well in several later fights. The Lifeguard obviously became the premier unit for drills and parades and the example aspired to by the remainder of the army. Von Steuben was made a major general in the Continental Army and later served in a variety of capacities including the command of various troops in several campaigns. His record, particularly in Virginia in 1781 which he attempted to defend against the British forces under Benedict Arnold was solid but less than brilliant. Unfortunately, this campaign is not covered in detail, but since it is often overlooked in books on the Revolutionary War, to read about it at all was a boon. Perhaps a later edition could add the detail I would like to see on this campaign in which no one on the patriot side made a name for himself. Von Steuben himself clashed with almost everyone of importance in Virginia, including Governor Jefferson, and although he evaded defeat, was unable to accomplish much in defense of the state. This campaign severely damaged him politically, but von Steuben retained the Washington's good opinion. In short, there is much good information here on more individuals than just von Steuben. In many respects he made important contributions to the forming of a disciplined army -- one that was able to stand up to the British. The author does an excellent job in covering the ground, and has added to the available literature on the Revolutionary War. This book is highly recommended.

I enjoyed reading this book because it provides a certain perspective on the Revolutionary War written with the right amount of facts and storytelling.The author pulls from original sources. I think the author for the most part was fair to Stueben, but one page he calls into question Stueben's sexual preference which I think is ridiculous and unnecessary. This demonstrates an unfortunate mindset of today's historians in which they look at the past through today's cultural lense. Stueben just walked a path a celibacy. His life love was military life and his fellow veterans.

Lockhart’s biography of Steuben is enjoyable reading that also will give the reader information not found in most histories of the Revolution. Almost everyone familiar with the Revolution knows that Steuben was largely responsible for organizing the highly demoralized troops at Valley Forge into a cohesive fighting army and giving the men a new sense of morale and purpose. What most people do not know is what came before and after. Lockhart fills in all the details in a highly readable book.The first part of the book deals with Steuben’s background in Europe and especially his experiences in the Prussian army – both the advantages and disadvantages of that. What almost no one knew at the time of his work in America was how much he had exaggerated his past. Steuben’s past was mixed. He worked hard and was honored by the army of Frederick the Great, made significant advances, and then was basically banished from the army for somewhat murky reasons that Lockhart discusses. He bounced around Germany and France for some time, sometimes succeeding, sometimes not. He was made a “Baron” (a rough translation of the German) by a small German state and was also given there the large military decoration he wore for official portraits. The one thing he never forgot was the training he received in the Prussian army which Lockhart claims with good justification was the best army in Europe. The armies of Frederick William and Frederick the Great were more than just well-oiled human machines. They displayed a relationship between officers and men that was unique and far more conducive to good discipline and respect than the armies of Britain which (contrary to the typical American historical view) Lockhart says were not in the same league. This information and the perspective Lockhart gives were totally new to me and provided critical background for the ups and downs of Steuben in America.Steuben was made Inspector General by Washington over several American competitors but after Valley Forge he floated between assignments. (Steuben claimed falsely that he was a Lieutenant General under Frederick the Great which raised a few concerns among the other European military leaders in America who had never heard of this great man.) Throughout the rest of his life in America a combination of his often difficult personality and ability to organize men created jealousies among his contemporaries. Lockhart spells these out. I learned a great deal about the skirmishes between the British and Americans that involved Steuben’s men up to Yorktown. In some of these Steuben played a key role in American success; in others it was his training that helped make a difference. He feuded with Jefferson during a frustrating stay in Virginia. As a military man he was mentally lost after the war ended. A man who was never good with money was always out of it and never used it well when he finally was granted some by Congress. Again, as in the first part of the book, the reader will pick up a lot of details almost never discussed in most histories.Sometimes Steuben deeply impressed me, especially in his relationship with his men and his organizing skills. Other times he infuriated me with his arrogance, his false claims about his past and his inability to work with people. Much of the latter was not his fault, since, after the war, the fact that he was “foreign” led to many problems. He both deserved more in terms of praise and money and at the same time often thought he deserved more than was ever realistic. This excellent biography fleshes out the life of this complex man who helped Washington in ways no one without Steuben’s Prussian training could ever have done. I highly recommend the book.

I wasn’t aware of that many Europeans being involved in the Revolutionary War outside of Lafayette. The subject of this bio, Baron de Steuben, was quite an interesting character who didn’t get the recognition he deserved, then or later. Well written and researched book.

I learned alot about the American Revolution

Spannend und kurzweilig, konnte ich wieder viel spannende Geschichte lernen. Ich empfehle aber dringend, parallel ein Tablett o.ä. in Reichweite zu halten, um immer mal wieder im Internet Zusatzinformationen recherchieren zu können.Insgesamt ein wirklich tolles Buch.

ok

Sehr detailiert und interessant geschrieben.Gut geeignet für wissenschaftliche Arbeiten.Wunderschöner englischer Schreibstil.Ausführliches Quellenverzeichnis.Zur geographischen Einordnung der Ereignisse sind teilweise Karten vorhanden.