New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-01-07
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
GRRENEs GERMAN ELEMENT IN TIE WAR
OF INDEPENDENCE.


iono residence in this country with regard to the
history Of the German soldiers in the American war,
aford the chief materials for this interesting volume,
which Professor Greene has wrought mp III popular
FORM together with important additions from HE
fvn nersonal studies in fayorte branch OF htera-
ture. II consists of detailed biographies Of Baron
Won steuben and General DE Kalb, and an essay on
the employment of German mercenailes IN the
British army during the Revolutionary war; The
name of the former accomplished, though eccentric
officer is familiar to American readers i'll general Out
hi history will bear repetition as well for its ro-
mantle interest as for the substantial services winch
ne rendered 10 the cause of liberty at the time OF ITS
perilous need. .
Frederick William steuben was born at the 1or-
tress of Magdeburg Nov. 10, 1880. His father was
nm officer Of engineers in the PTJssian military ser
vice, and his youth passed amidst the assocla-
tons of the camp. From his earliest Childhood nc
was conyersant with guns, and drums ana 'rum-
oots and ACQUAINTED with the routine of drills and
parades battles and sieges. His education was NOT
neglected He received thorough elementary IN
struction at different schools, and thus laid the
foundations Of a superior knowledge OF 1nathe-
n,atcs and acquired a tineture OF polite literature
At the age OF IL be entered the army as caueti
in two years he became an ensign; and ilrst heu
tenant In 1855 Just year before the breaking o"'
Of the Seven Year, War. The first campaign ielI
him major, but bis part in the war was ny 10
means prominent. He was wounded nj the oa''ie
of Prague in 1857, and shared the triumph Oh
Rossbach in the same year. BY this time he had
thoroughly learned the management OF hght imam
try. and gained the habit of cool and prompt de-
cision in the field of battle. Upon the return OF
peace he withdrew FROM the army, with moderate
peDsion from the King. After spending some time
in German travel, he received the appointment Oh
grand marshal OF one of the smaller courts'-ih
honorable function but not at all adapted to the
tastes Of a soldier in the flower Of his age. FROM
infancy with one brief exception, he mai known
40 life but fortress and camp. Ills time
was measured by drum-beat and trumpet. " lie had
been constantly moving to and fro with his life In
his hand subject to the chances OF hairs-0readth
more or a hair'sbrcadth less IN the line OF musket
bullet or cannon ball. He had often seen men whom
he had messed with in the morning lying around
him at night wounded, OF dying, or dead. And now
he was TO lay him down calmly under gI!ded can
opy. sleep softly on down, and lot the Summer and
Winter sun outstrib him in their rising. His com
panions 10 be men who spoke IN Whispers ana
bowed long and low; his duties, the usherng IN ana
ont the presence chamber those Of higher rank aud
seeing that those of lower rank were duly attended
each in his degree; sitting intIigues allaying dis
contents composing discOrds; watching over the
details of a great househOld-for court Is nothing
more-and giving them an air of dignity by personal
gravity and official decOrun."
In the busy idleness OF the petty cOuIt he passed
nearly ten years He gained the confidence OF the
prince by the strict performance OF his duty The
amenity OF his manners and the justice of hs deal
ings made him acceptable in society. But Steuben
was Protestant while the court was Roman Catho-
lie and the intrigues Of the priests at length pro-
cured his discharge from the official service. In the
Spring of l777, he visited Paris, where at the m
of ~ Inc French
War he was introduced to Franklin;
Thus they stood face TO face the pl MISUNDERSTANDING
Isl with his Quakecut drab and me sGi4eISoIher
with the gitterng Of the order OF t1Cehe on DIS
breast the eye that had been trained 10 look Closely mo
the pbenomena Of nature and read t1e TolEnss Of o
the eye had been trained 10 look into tDc canos
mouth aud detect the signs OF success or disaster III Iio
Wild tumnt OF battle. This j. no enthusiast" Franklin
must have said TO hinsalf % lie scanned tle alSln
Drowned face the strong feature tho TeiouaeG iors
, s, s c,o an bi 9tb the I,r-c rose not
wholly Roman but very near IT, the tul lover Hp sug-
gevc OF good cheer fully appreciated, and the pTJect-
ing chin an horne with the Upright precision u man
WHO had worn a uniform from his childhood. mo yonng
Marquis dc Laiaye e the, fresh rom the schools Wiz
rom9nto dreams OF liberty and human virtue Here ls
sword 10 sell perhaps something more; but what are
swords good foe bat TO cut meo eee and 1t is rather
years in trying 10 teach men how 70 take care Of
themselves and convince them tGat they never so
happy when they live like brothcis-I WHO have ott9n
said that nel knew bad peace or good war should
men" :" 4 strange way mis- OF porsuadng men to come
and shed their blood Tor you thought steuben a. he list
couple Of thousand Of land a compeIsaon for
bis services aud with something very Ike indignation
when Franklin told him with "a manner TO when he
then little accustomed mot the court manner, that
ls, but one that lie became wen accustomed 10 III me
tequeD "tht he had authority to enter into engage
meats ana could not advance him anything for tue ex
pcnse of his voyage"
The French Ministry was determined TO enlist bis
services in the cause of the young republic across
the sea. 1t was evident that without reform in
the organization of the American army, the money
and stores of France woud have been given i'll vain.
After good deal Of diplomatic embarrassment, it
was at length decided that Steuben should 20 to
America with the rank of acknowledgement, and
offer his services to Congress a volunteer:
His preparations were now made rapidly with st.
duce into the American army From Beaulnarchais he
received loan the money for hs outfit and passage
lie chose four officers for aids, De Plnfant Dc ROmana
Des Epinercs and DE Pontiege. Not knowing English
he required secretary and interpreter and at Beau
known thirty years ago 10 the citizens OF Pbila
delpkia as hale old man, 10 the legal world a skill
tu lawyer, Ia pubicsts IS the translator OF BynSer-
shoeck 10 the world OF letters the author OF treatise
the Chinese language which won the prize OF the IN
bearod young Frenchman OF with remarkable
talent for the study of language, and pIenOnit0Iy
sion for English which Won him. at the Benedietne con
vent whore he studied tie cfname OF HAng'aiS Two
vessels upon the point OF sailing lOr America with
part of the ard stores furnished by Beaumarchals
under the name OF IIortaez CO.. ana the royal conns
gave Steuben his choice OF the two BY the advice
Of Count Miranda nc fixed upon tho Henredx, a twenty
four gun ship which was 20 sail nom halsth-s under
the OF Le Famand. StcuDln, also, assumed new
name Frank and as protection in case OF capture by
the English received dispatches hn1er mat naue 10 the
Governor OF Martinique. Then, cheerful, seliTeant,
nothing doubling bat lat two or three years would see
him safely returned with fu purse and laurcled brow,
tine watcrngplaces OF Germany, ne embarked with Ills
aeen DAYS after the battle OF Brandy wine, aud while
the weary and Lali-traiued band when before another
fFa IA