Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1910-12-07
BARTHOLD TELLS
Of VON STEUBEN
dwelling of Monument to
German Patriot Who
Helped Colonies
RE- ORGANIZED FIGHTING FORCE
Was in Command of Continental
Army Before Yorktown for
a Time.

Washington, Dec. with the un-
yelling today by Miss Helen Taft Of
the statue to Baron Friedrich Vii
helm Won Steuben, the American peo-
pie showed their gratitude to the Prps
sian soldier whose services helped to
found the Republic. The ceremonies
were elaborate. President Taft, Count
Won Bernstorff and Representative
Bartholdt making addresses. The
German American societies of the
United States made the unveiling the
occasion of great celebration.
Address by Bartholdt.
New York, Dec. 7-Representat1ve
Richard Bartholdt OF St. Louis, one
the speakers at the unveiling of the
monument to Baron Won Steuben here
today, spoke of Won Steubon as a man
of master mind in meeting the re-
Quirements of organization, funda-
mental tactics and strategy. He re-
lated the circumstances under which
Won Steuben came to this coun-
try to assist Washington in the revo-
luton, at the solicitation of BENJAMIN
| Franklin, whom he met in Paris.
Finding the American army in a pi-
table condition, largely on account
OF lack of organization, Mr., Bartholdt
said, he performed an inestimable
service to this country by reorgani-
zing its fighting forces.
Mr.. Bartholdt told of Won Steub.
ems part in the revolution, and relat-
ed how, having been placed tempora.
rily in command of the army in the
absence of Washington, he received
the offer of surrender from CORVALLIS
at Yorktown.
His services" Mr.. Dartholdt con.
tinued, were from beginning to
end acts of personal remuneration and
only the satisfaction of duty well per-
formed, the growing prospects OF
final success. and PROBABLY Il CON
Yiction that it would be difficult for
others to fill his particular place,
could inspire the loyalty and cheer.
fulness of his work. With him selfish
considerations were ever pushed into
the background by his regard for
the public welfare and the sacredness
of the cause. His life proved to be
true: that ne wrote to congress
When | drew my sword l made a
solemn VOW that only death could
compel me to give up before Great
Britain would recognize American In.
dependence
"The greatest honor a nation can
bestow upon a historical character
does not consist in glorifying and
exalting him, but in doing him justice
and in according to him the recogni-
ton honestly rue him. 1t must,
therefore, be a singular satisfaction
to the present generation to know
that Baron Steuben's worth and mer.
its were highly appreciated and hon
ored even during his life time. But
what Steuben himself priced highest
of all was a letter from his comman-
der-in-chief, General Washington,
written at Annapolis ON December %,
1888, few moments before be laid
down his command 1t was a testi
monial more complimentary than any
given to an officer of the revolutiona
ry army, and the circumstances un.
der which it was written no less than
its contents touched the heart of the
old soldier most deeply. 1t read as
| follows:
"My Dear on:-Although
have taken frequent opportunities
both public and private, to acknow
ledge your great zeal, attention and
abilities in performing the duties OF
your Office, yet / wish to make use
of this last moment of my public life
to signify in the strongest terms my
entire appreciation of your conduct
and to express my sense of the obliga
ton the public Is under to you for
your faithful and meritorious servi
ces.
| yyin he Y11y
/ dear sir, that should rejoice if ii
could ever be in my power to serve
you more essentially than by express
sions of regard and affection, but in
the meantime / am persuaded you will
not be displeased with this farewell
token of my sincere friendship and
esteem for you.
"'This is the last letter shall write
while | continue in the service of my
country. The hour of my resignation
is fixed at IL today, after which
shall become private citizen on the
banks of the Potomac, where / shall
be glad to embrace you and testify
! the great esteem and consideration
with which am, my dear Baron etc
| Unlike many other foreign officers
Baron Steuben never returned to his
native country, but died on November
2S, 1894, true American patriot, His
burial place near Utica is known to
but few of the present generation, but
this isolation in death seems to have
| heen in accordance with his last wish