New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-01-07

Steuben treated as happy omen. The next DAY he
visited the Notifications, and the day after reviewed
the troops On the 18th OF December he SET ont ior
Boston, Hero he was entertained by John Hancock,
who was Just returning TO private life after DIS non
orable career IN Congress II was five weeks before
he received answers to his letters they having been
detained by the bad roads. At length the letters of
Washington arrived, courteous, though formal, re-
ferring him to Congress tue only body authorized
10 accept offers of service make appointments AL
the same time Hancock informed him that
he had been directed by Congress to make
the arrangements for his journey to York, PENN
where Congress was then sitting. The preparations
were made in Hancocks accustomed style OF proiu-
sion and splendor. The ground was covered with
snow and sleIghs with five negroes for drivers ana
arooms were provided for the baggage, ana sadole-
horses for the General and his suite purVeyof
accompanied the party TO take charge OF proNlsio'
and quarters The enemy was III possession Oh new
port and New-York. and made frequent incursiOhs
into the interior. Hence it necessary to take
roundabout course of 40 miles IN order 10 avon
unnecessary danger. The journeyDegan On the l4th
of January and it was the 9TH OF February before
they reached York. This gave Steuben an opportu-
pitv of gaining a military view of large section of
the country, which he regarded as OF not little
value. lie also got a few gliinpses of one source of
danger TO the national cause, the Tory element.
"In Worcester County, near the Connecticut Dor
der was a tavern notorious by the i'll fame of its
Tory landlord, and which Steuben had been coun-
seled 20 avoid But snow-storm left him no alter
native and at nightfall his weary train drew relns
at the door of evil name True to his reputation, the
landlord told them that If they would stop at us
house they would have to take up with bare walls;
for he had neither beds, bread, meat, drink milk,
nor egqs for them. "Reminiscences and even en-
treaties were poweIless Steubens blood began 10
boil q copious shower Of German Oatbs was tried
and all in vsin Bring me my pistols he cried IN
German, 10 his German servant. and while the land
lord was looking On with malignant satisfaction he
suddenly found; pistol at his breast. Can you
give us bedsp Yes trembled the alriehted mis-
creant. 'Breadp Yes Meat, drink, milk eggs .
and still Yes to each demand The loyalist saw
that the terrible German in earnest. The table
was quickly spread, all wants abundantly supplied
and after comfortable night and good breakfast
the party resumed their journey, not forgetting 20
paw the Tory literally in Continental money"
Upon his arrival at York, Congress appointed
special committee TO receive his proposals. They
were not such as that body had been in the habit OF
entertaining. He asked for neither rank nor pay
He wished to enter the army volunteer, and be
subject 10 the orders Of the Comm andcf-in-Chei
He stipulated only for the payment of his actual e%
pensos leaving the question Of compensation To DC
decided by tia result of the struggle. No time was
lost in idle discussions. The committee reported
without delay. The next day he was invited to
formal entertainment by Congress as a mark of
special honor. His soldierly bearing made a deep
impression on the guests as he sat at the right hand
of President Laurens in his rich uniform and with
the star OF his order that never left his breast.
Steuben at once set out for camp. The ovation con
tinued. The German population felt all their
natural pride aroused at the approach Of snch Ger
man cheftain. While he was yet some miles from
camp Washington came ont TO conduct him TO his
quarters. guard Of twenty-five men, with an
officer at their head, were stationed at tho post.
Steuben would have declined the honor Insisting
that he was merely volunteer. The whole army
said Washington, would gladly stand sentinel Tor
such volunteers"
The next day the troops were mustered, ana
Washington accompanied Stcuben TO pass them N
review. At no time In the course Of the war had
the army been in 50 distressing plight. The NE
at Valley Force was a daily struggle with cold and
HUNGER The huts Of logs aud mud in which the
troops were qusrtered gave little protection against
the riqor of the Winter which was male still more
severe by the want OF proper clothing and nutritious
food The minds OF the men bad become familiar
with the idea of mutny. Ont OF the original force,
nearly a quarter part were without clothes to enable
them 10 mount guard OF appear on parade. lie
whole number had been much reduced by dceerilon
and disease that scarcely third could be called on
for duty. They were imperiectly armed that
muskets fowling-peccs, and rifles were found IN thc
same company, with only few scattering bayonets;
guns and bayonets were alike rusty and unfit ioruse.
Steuben's first step was TO draw up plan Of mspec-
ton which was approved by Washington and trans
mitted to Congress. There was time tn lose.
Winter was passing. and tho day for opening new
campaign drawing menacingly near. VIII you uil-
dertake to execute this planP asked Washington.
with your support and assistance l WILL replied
Steuben. lie began by drafting from the line hun
dred and twenty men, as a guard for the ComInan-
der-in-Chcf and military school for himself. These
men he drilled tv1cc a day; and striking from the
outset an effective blow at the prejudice lone Of
England's legaeics) which led officers TO regard the
drilling of recruit as a seTgeants, not officers
business he took the muslet into his own hands
and showed them how he wished them to handle 1t.
At every drill his division inspectors were required
to be present, and doubtless many officers and
soldiers were present, too, without requisition In
a fortnight he writes. my company knew perfectly
how to bear arms, had n military air, knew how TO
march, to form in column, deploy and execute some
little maneuvers with excellent precision" Every
attempt hitherto TO instruct the soldiers had been by
the manual eAelClec, anu pIoNtu
Steuben began with maneuyers. The effect was mar
velous. In little more than month. American
troops for the first time since the opening of the
war, were able to execute the grand maneuvers Of
regular army. On the 9Th Of May ll778), Steub,n
was appointed inspectorgeneral, with the rank and
pay of major-general:
stcubeu's success easily explained Ills heart was
in his work. He up before day, smoked q single
pipe swallowed single cup OF coffee had his hair care
iuy dressed, his uniform carefully put ana then as