The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1930-11-14

De kalb and Steuben. But the roman
young Frenchman, Lafayette, the spe
cial friend of Washington, has some
what Overshadowed those of the 9th
ers and there are few of us realize
how much we owe to Friedrich Will
helm Rudolph Gerhard Augustin Steu-
ben, the PruSsian. 1t is not too much
to say that without this "drillmaster of
the Revolution" the struggle for Amer
lean independence might not have sue
ceeded or at least have had it's tri-
umphal conclusion delayed several
years.
Born on September II, 1870. (mOst
histories give his birthday as Novem-
Der 10, but a long-lost baptismal rec
ord, recently brought to light, estab-
lished the earlier date) at Magdeburg
in Prussia, Steuben entered the Prus-
sian army under his father, also a
soldier of great ability, at the age Of
fourteen. At the siege of Prague dur
ing the Seven Years war young Steu-
ben received his baptism of fire and in
course Of time he rose to the rank OF
captain and became adjutant general
to Frederick the Great. He fought at
RosSbach and thunderstorm, where
Frederick was so disastrously de-
feated and where Steuben himself was
seriously wounded and carried off as
prisoner by the Russians. However
he was very soon set free by Gar
Peter III, who was great admirer
Of the Prussian military leader.
After the war Steuben was made
grand marshal Of the principality of
HohenZOllern-Hech ingen, with the title
of baron, position which he held for
ten years and during which he was an
outstanding figure in the social and
diplomatic life of the time. But he
seems to have had longing to return
to the life of a soldier and the Amer
lean Revolution offered him his chance.
Benjamin Franklin and Sias Deane
were in Paris as American commits
sioners seeking European aid for the
colonies and st. German, the French
minister of war and an old friend Of
Steuben's, induced the Prussian to
come there where he introduced him
to the American commissioners and to
Beaumarchais, French friend of the
American cause, and Vergennes French
minister of foreign affairs.
Vergennes was anxious to restore
the prestige of France, which had been
lost by the weak King Louis XIV, and
to strike a blow at Frances ancient
enemy, England, by appearing before
the world as champion Of American
liberty. SO he represented Steuben to
the Americans as lieutenant general,
(Which he wasn't and never had been),
and as great soldier (Which he most
decidedly was). The crafty Ben
Franklin, however, was not given to
buying pig in a poke" so he re-
fused to pay Steuben's expenses across
the Atlantic Beaumarchais came to
the rescue, however, with 1000 louis
dor and in the fall Of 1777 Steuben set
sail for America from Marseilles on
the warship 'Heureuz-renamed the
Flamard for safety's sake in view of
English privateers and the presumed
neutrality of France-which was laden
with a cargo of munitions for Wash
ington's army.
In deciding to offer his sword to the
Americans, Steuben is entitled to all
the more credit because he had little
to gain and much to lose by the ven
ture. He had to give up secure and
ample income and high position in
his own country, since before he left
for America he conferred his canonry
at Havelsburg with it's yearly revenue
of 1900 livres upon his nephew, the
Baron Won CanitZ. 1t is true that he
asked from the American commission
ers compensation for these. yet in
view of his characteristic generosity
and unselfishness and of the preca-
rious situation of the American cause
at that time, he cannot be accused of
self-seeking. What he desired most
was action and an opportunity to gain
honorable distinction.
Steuben, like the ship on which he
sailed, went under an alias. He was
called Frank, and was officially
charged, in case of seizure ahd search,
with harmless letters to the governor
I'm a certain state. Besides Peter S.
Duponceau, secretary, there were three
aides. One of them, De L'Enfant, is
now known to fame as the city Plan
ner of Washington. Also aboard was
Beaumar hais' nephew and agent, De
Francy.
Iii fort ine attended the voyage Il,