It was not only on the British side that Germans served in
the American Revolution. The Baron yon Steuben was, like La
Fayette, a man of rank in his own country, and his personal
service to the Revolution was much greater than that of La
Fayette. Steuben had served on the staff of Frederick the Great
and was distinguished for his wit and his polished manners. There
was in him nothing of the needy adventurer. The sale of Hessian
and other troops to the British by greedy German princes was met
in some circles in Germany by a keen desire to aid the cause of
the young republic. Steuben, who held a lucrative post, became
convinced, while on a visit to Paris, that he could render
service in training the Americans. With quick sympathy and
showing no reserve in his generous spirit he abandoned his
country, as it proved forever, took ship for the United States,
and arrived in November, 1777. Washington welcomed him at Valley
Forge in the following March. He was made Inspector General and
at once took in hand the organization of the army. He prepared
"Regulations for the Order and Discipline of the Troops of the
United States" later, in 1779, issued as a book. Under this
German influence British methods were discarded. The word of
command became short and sharp.
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