A Prussian Who Only Spoke French Saved America — Von Steuben (1778)
In February 1778, Friedrich von Steuben arrived at Valley Forge. He spoke no English. In six weeks, he turned a mob into an army.
Arrival
February 23, 1778. Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben arrived at Valley Forge.
A veteran of the Prussian army. He had served under Frederick the Great. He spoke no English.
Washington accepted him. There were no other options.
The Mob
The Continental Army was in a sorry state.
Soldiers shouldered muskets differently from one another. They couldn't hold a marching formation. They didn't know how to use a bayonet.
By European standards, this was not an army.
Six Weeks
Von Steuben trained through interpreters.
He started with 100 men, training them directly. Those 100 spread out across the regiments and taught the rest.
Drill. Bayonet. Movement. When he swore at them, he mixed French and German. The soldiers laughed — and followed.
A Different Army
Six weeks later, the Continental Army had changed.
Same men. But they could move on command, hold formation, and fight with bayonets.
That June, at the Battle of Monmouth, the Continental Army stood toe-to-toe with British regulars. They didn't run.
Arrival: February 23, 1778 | Training period: ~6 weeks | Battle of Monmouth: June 28, 1778 | Von Steuben's nationality: Prussian
Get new posts by email ✉️
We'll notify you when new posts are published