Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1902-07-29

bargained for no reward. Military dis
tinction and active employment were
the chief objects of his ambition, the
immediate motives of his conduct.
Upon his arrival America, in De.
cember. 1777. Steuben was greeted
with the announcement of the capture
of Burgoyne and his entire army, and
looked upon it as e good omen. He
lost no time in entering upon active
service. He notified Congress of rs
arrival, expressed his desire to serve
the country without conditions other
dence and share the fortunes of the
commander of the forces in the field
Congress accepted the proffered ser
vices with resolutions of thanks.
and Steuben reported almost imme-
diately to General Washington.
Then began the work to which Steu.
ben devoted his entire energy. All cf
the abuses and defects that had been
dominant in The American army cuL
minated in the encampment at Valley
Forge, and showed the need Of radical
reforms. Although the country abound.
ed with provisions, famine existed
In the camp. Washington had notified
Congress that something must DO done
or the troops would have to disband
to seek subsistence. The men Were
starving, were barefooted and almost
naked, unable to take advantage of the
many opportunities offered to strike ef-
fective blows upon the British forces.
1t was Steuben's duty to bring ordm
out of chaos. How it was accomplished
there Is not space to tell here, but the
results soon began to be manifested.
Steuben was made inspector general
and did valiant service in the organiza-
ton of the army. He composed book
of regulations in 177S-79, which was
adopted, and upon which the present
American army regulations are based.
But he finally tired of this service and
made an effort to secure active work In
the field, at the head of a regiment.
There was objection to this, and he
threatened to resign. He was finally
given a command and served with dis
tinction during the trying times, late III
the war, when he was compelled to-
sleep on the ground because he could
not buy q tent, when the credit Of the
country was exhausted and the affairs
of the colonists were 10 distressing con-
dition. He served in the South in 1779-
50, and achieved some distinction In
the field. in spite of the starved and
poorly equipped condition Of his forces
He was appointed to command in Vtr.
gInia, and remained there most of the
time until June. 1871.
At the close Of the war an effort WIS
made to have Baron Steuben REIN
bursed for his expenditures and paid
for his services to the nation. General
Washington warmly urged this, ard
his last letter, before retiring from
public life, was written to Steuoen, ard
contained the warmest expressions of
appreciation of the baron's services sol
the country. Steuben resigned from
the army In March. 1854, and month
later was presented by Congress with
a ge,d-hilted sword and a vote 81
.slhal,ss Then it required seven years.
a1tive ei7ort for the baron e secure al
settlement for his services. and tien
only after it had been plainly shown
that he had been reduced to the e1-
tremi,y of either starving here or beg
ging In Europe. The compensation,
when II was finally made. was 50 mis-
erly in amount that the debts Of stelI-1
ben had absorbed all be received. and
tie man who had done 50 much to
make the victory Of the American
forces possible was compelled 20 retire
To a little farm given him by the State
Of New York and which was located
in what Is now the town Of steubea.
abour twenty five miles north Of Utica.
Here he built log house Of fIvel
rooms. and lived. almost IN poverty,
uutil his death in December. 1884
Anfffoxin Cures aF1iuhsherfa