Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1856-10-02
The Grave Of Steuben.

About five miles from the village of Steu-
ben, New York, and in the town of that
name, is the grave of Baron de S;euben. In
ivs-acre woodland, on hill, and fenced in,
so that the cattle cannot enter, quietly rest
the remains of the Prussian hero and patri-
OF. The grave is in the middle of the wood,
aud was once covered by monuments
plain slab, with the following simple inscrip-
ton: "Major-General Frederick William Au-
gustus, Baron de Steuben." We visited the
grave few days since, and found the monu-
ment tumbled down, and things going to ru-
in and decay. 1t was al unpleasant sight to
stand by the grave Of that great man, and
think how negligent our country had been of
her heroes. There in the wild woods, far
from the city's crowd, and by the "fair forest
stream" reposed the remains of gallant pa
triot with nothing but ruined mass of NOR
tar and stones to mark his resting place.
Baron Steuben was aid-de-camp to the
King of Prussia--he was receiving a salary
of 5000 a year at the time of the revolu-
tionary struggle-his sympathies were enlist
ed in behalf of the infant colony, and he
left his home and his situation to serve in the
American cause, and take the lead of our ar
mics. He was an able general, and an expe-
rienced tactician. and rendered invaluable SER
vice to our country. Soon after the close oil
the war, Steuben retired to private life, and
for seven years endeavored in vain to prevail
on Congress to remunerate him for his servi-
ces. At length he received salary of 81
500 a year, only half of that which he relin-
pushed thirteen years before to risk all in her
service. He located himself on the farm,
and in the township where he died, given
him by the State of New York. He cleared
off sixty acres of land, erected log house
and sat down for the remainder of his life
With his trusty servants, and a few friends
who still chung to him with more than fila
affection, he watched the current OF his years
drift peacefully away, without sigh for the
splendors of royalty he had left behind hin
in the Old World.
A tree near the spot where his dwellin!
stood was favorite of his, and under tina
tree, in summer, he used to pass many of hi
hours. He expressed wish to be buried
when he died, under the tree where ne haC
so often rested while living. On the 25th day
of November, 1897, he was struck with par
alysis, and lived but three days afterwards
He directed, just before his death, that b,
should be buried in his military cloak, will
the star of honor, which he always wore, pla
ced ON his breast. His weeping servants anC
few rustic neighbors formed the procession
to his solitary place of burial; and there, il
the still woods, with the military cloal
around him." and the star flashing on hi
breast, they laid the old warrior down to rest
he sleeps well beneath the soil he helpeC
to free.
His stormy career was over; and he VIII
had passed his life on the battle fed had no
a flag to droop over the hearse, OF a soldier t
discharge farewell shot over his grave. 1
nation seems to have blotted him out iron
! ITS memory, and left him to die alone, forgot
ten, and unhonored. A Republic may prov
ungrateful," and refuse to erect mohumen
to the memory of the departed patriot AM
warrior, but the people of the land which h
helped to free will cherish his many virtue
with filial tenderness and affection.-Ronl
i (N ~ Sentinel.