1To Benjamin Franklin from the Baron von Steuben, 28 September 1779 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: New-York Historical Society I take the Liberty of transmitting you a few Copies of the Regulations published last Winter for the service of the Infantry. As this Work has been made under my Direction, I must let you know that Circumstances have obliged me to deviate from the Principles adopted in the European Armies, Such as the formation in Two Ranks, the Weakness of our Battalions &c....
2To Benjamin Franklin from Wilhelm Augustine von Steuben, 29 October 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS and translation: American Philosophical Society Vôtre Excellence voudra bien me pardonner avec bonté Si je recourre de nouveau à Elle. Mon fils frederic Wilhelm von Steuben m’à marqué quil s’étoit engagé en Septembre 1777. au Service amériquain en qualité de General, & il m’à addressé à Mr. de Beaumarchais. Cependant depuis lors je n’ay reçû aucune nouvelle ny réponce. Comme par ce moyen je...
3To Benjamin Franklin from Wilhelm Augustine von Steuben: résumé, 11 February 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society <Cüstrin, February 11, 1780, in German: I have received and thank you for your letter of November 21. I am sad to announce that my dear wife has been taken by God at age 73. Please forward the enclosed letter to my son.> Or Küstrin, on the Oder. For BF ’s letter, actually Nov. 27, see XXX , 617–18n. Mary Dorothea von Jagow (1706–80) married the senior von...
4To George Washington from Steuben, 6 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed Copy of a Letter whose Original I Shall have the honor to present to your Excellency, will instruct you of the motives that brought me over to this Land. I shall add only to it that the Object of my greatest Ambition is to render your Country all the Services in my Power, and to deserve the title of a Citizen of America by fighting for the Cause of your Liberty. If the...
5To George Washington from Steuben, 25 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
With regard to the first question —We are to examine whether the Enemy may expect formidable Succours—if that be the case we ought to reinforce the army with the greatest dispatch, and strike a daring blow before those Succours arrive—The enemys force is estimated at 10000 men—if ours is under 20000 rank and file, the enterprise would be hazardous, and by exposing ourselves to a general action...
6To George Washington from Major General Steuben, 17 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
It gives me great Satisfaction to see that Your Excellency has taken Such a wise Step in my Department as to engage the General Officers and Field Officers of Regiments to take the Command of the Troops in our daily Exercise: Nothing could be more useful in the present moment —I had wished some time ago it might Soon be the Case, but in the meanwhile, I was endeavoring with the Gentlemen under...
7To George Washington from Major General Steuben, 18 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
My opinion on the different propositions offered for consideration in council yesterday —is as follows. The Intelligence we have hitherto received of the enemys movements, does not sufficiently assure us of his designs, to warrant an enterprise upon Philadelphia—and I believe it would be prudent not to abandon our position without being certain of the evacuation of the city—It would be still...
8To George Washington from Major General Steuben, 25 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I arrived here this morning and found Genl Scott waiting intelligence, which has since arrived that the Enemy lay last night in two Columns one at Allens Town the other at Imlays Town, this morning about Eight oClock the Column from Imlays Town moved & took the Road to Monmouth Court House, we have not yet received any intelligence of the Column at Allens Town—Colo. Moylan has just arrived...
9To George Washington from Major General Steuben, 27 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
We arrived here this morning & it being the best position we can find to observe the motions of the Enemy—have remain’d—we have advanced our parties so near as to fire a Pistol at their Horsemen whilst feeding their Horses—They now lay encamped one Line on the main Road by the Court House & another Line extended on their left from the head of their Column which is not advanced One hundred &...
10To George Washington from Major General Steuben, 24 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency having been pleased to order me in the General Orders of 22d Instant to resume my Office of Inspector General & make my Arrangements accordingly, I beg leave to refer you to my letter of 17th June on the subject of the Inspection & to your kind Answer of 18th in which you granted me permission to go to York Town & desired me to lay before Congress such a Plan as would be most...