New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-04-23
NEW PUBLICA IIONS.
KApP's LIFE OF sTEUBEN.


lean b,tory, which is prominent Characteristic OF
the tipes this elaborate monograph the life and
,eryces of an efficient foreign officer who devoted
himself TO the cause Of cur natiopal independence
cannot fail to be welcome 10 q numerous class OF
readers. The population OF German descent IN Shis
country will here learn the importance OF their en-
ibept cOmpstriot in the organization OF the CONT
mental army-the value Of his aid at one OF the
most gloomy periods of the Revolutionary struggle
the courage and persistency with which be sec
sr5ed the effort. of Washington and Hamilton
a.d tse strongly marked traits OF per'onal ohsrac
ex which he displayed in the Accomplishment OF
Al, oerilous mission. Our cOuntrymen will find
~ most complete record which has hitherto been
given of the precise share Of Baron Steuben IN the
establishment Of our liberties and will Obtain new
Isht from its perussl on the difficulties ard dan
gers " Acb were TO be met by the American pstri-
OTIS in their hard fought contest.
I'm the preparation Of his work, Mr.. Kapp has
spared no pains in the accumulation of materials;
his faithful research is visible on every page; ne
has diligently explored every source from which H.
formation could be expected; aud has brought 70
light mass OF evidence from Out-Ol-the-way and
neglected documents, which forms q substantial
basis for bis narrative. Nor has he been less con-
sceutioas in working up bis authorities into his'
toricsl form. Everywhere his work bears the
marks of truly German patience and tbOroughness.
He pa, gHded over no important point without IN
veshgstion. He bss omitted no circumstance
which illustrates the career OF Baron Steuoon,
With the genuine spirit Of historical research, ne
lpgers over the traces Of events that have
nearly faded from sight, neglects no fragment Of
evidence, however minute, that bears on the estab-
Hshment Of truth, and though animated by pro
found interest n his subject, exhibits no disposition
tn give an undue prominence to bis career, or to
overlook the defects OF his character in the esti-
IIats of his services. These merits are certainly
euh1ent TO Oyerbslance the unartstic construction
Of the narrative which, it must be confessed,
mainly derives its interest from the solid informs
ton in it's contents rather than from any elegsncies
Of form or graces of expression.
The history of Baron SteuOen isprobabIy known,
only in its general outline, to the majority of our
readers. They will find ample materials in this
volume for clear and complete Wow of bis career.
Descended from an old noble military family of Prus-
sis, he was born on the 18th of November, 1870, at
Msgdeburg, large Pru,sisn fortress on the river
Elbe. His father, at that time, was Captain in the
Engineers and before the son was Ave years old,
took him with him military service in the Crimea.
At the age Of ten, young Steuben returned with
his father 10 Prussia received bis education at col
lege in the Pru,sisn province Of Silesia and when
scarcely fourteen served as volunteer in the cam.
paign of 1744, during the war of the Austrian sue.
eessiop. From bis earliest childhood accordingly,
Seuben was in the midst Of soldiers and warGke
operations. He heard Of nothing but the glory of
brave deeds and brilliant victories. The chief
topics Of conversation at homo were the martial
traditions Of bis family, and the exploits of his i'm
mediate relatives. As the son of an officer without
wealth, his only prospect was to be found In MILL
tary distinction. Ho had 10 sooner attained the
sge of seventeen, therefore, than he entered the
army a. q cadet. In two years Q749) be was pro-
noted TO the rank of Ensign, in 1853 was made
Lieutenant, and in 1855 First Lieutenant, which
ssas his rank a. the commencement of the Seven
Years' War. He took an active part in the serv-
paa of that contest, and is often mentioned IN the
ilitary records Ofits events az brave s,d accom-
plisbed officer. He was wounded in the battle of
Prague, May 6, 1857, and on the 9TH of November
following shared in the splendid victory Of ROssbsoh.
Soon after, he received the appointment OF AdJu-
tsnt General distinguished himself on various occa-
sions, and at the close of the Seven Years War
Quilted the PIussian service, for reasons that have
never been clearly understood. In I76i, he &C
cepted the Office of Grand Marshal to the Prince of
Hoheuzollern- Hschingen, and in that capacity ac-
companied him on bis travels to various courts of
Germany, and 10 III to that Of France, on which
occasion he had the opportunity Of becoming
acquainted with the prominent statesmen of that
day. Among others, he had formed an intimacy
with Count st. German, to whom he paid visit
in Paris, in the Spring of III, soon after his sp'
pointment as Minister War. The Count, upon the
ye1y frst interview with Steuben, proposed to him
that he should enter the American service, urging
the chance which it afforded for brilliant military
career, and the important aid he could render the
Colonies in their war for independence. Atter
considerable heltation he consented to confer with
BelumArchais, who took q deep interest ia the
American Revolution. BY him he was introduced
TO Slss Desne, who few days after took him to
DR.. Franklin at Pamy. Both the American Com
ufssicners appeared very DESTROYS that Steuben
shyuld enter the service Of Congress They eX'
Ssessed their hopes that be would be able to estab-
Rah the order and discipline in the American srny,
which were so much wished by the COMMANDMENTS
Chief and for which he had not yet found com
Al. & ol,o. ho had