Details
STEUBEN, FRIEDRICH WILHELM AUGUSTUS VON, 1730-1794, Major General, Continental Army. Autograph document signed ("Steuben," with flourish) to the banker William Duer (who countersigns at bottom), New York, 13 January 1780. 1 page, an oblong, 110 x 187mm. (4 3/8 x 7 1/8 in.), neatly mounted, edges a bit worn. The Prussian officer who trained Washington's troops settles a debt: "Ten days after Sight, please to pay to Mr. Benjamin Douglas an order the Sum of L 143 8s..."
Von Steuben is best known for training the Continental Army to exacting European standards of efficiency during the early years of the Revolutionary War. Although his English was very poor and his French limited, Washington approved the German General's training program in March 1778 and implemented it immediately. Von Steuben's infantry manual remained the standard text of the American Army for decades. He became a naturalized American citizen in 1783.
Von Steuben is best known for training the Continental Army to exacting European standards of efficiency during the early years of the Revolutionary War. Although his English was very poor and his French limited, Washington approved the German General's training program in March 1778 and implemented it immediately. Von Steuben's infantry manual remained the standard text of the American Army for decades. He became a naturalized American citizen in 1783.