Baron Von Steuben's Revolutionary War Drill Manual

by Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben

Book Overview

On February 23, 1778, Frederick William Baron von Steuben reported to General George Washington at the Continental Army's bleak winder encampment at Valley Forge. Speaking virtually no English and at an unexpected ebb in his professional fortunes, Steuben nevertheless brought a depth of military training and grasp of command techniques sorely needed by the bedraggled, ragtag army. With his lofty military reputation, forceful bearing, and colorful personality, the Prussian commander had an immediate galvanizing effect on the disorganized insurgents. He soon became one of Washington's most valued officers -- an essential figure in the success of the American War of Independence.
Commissioned to mold the troops into an efficient fighting force, Steuben formed a model drill company of one hundred men, transformed it into a precision unit copied throughout the ranks, and captured the imagination of the entire army. His record of drill instructions, written in brief installments, grew into the Regulations for the Order and Discipline of the Troops of the United States. Commonly known as the army's "blue book," this basic manual of military training and procedures remained the official U.S. military guide until 1812.
This inexpensive facsimile reproduces the extremely rare 1794 edition of Steuben's drill manual, published in Boston by I. Thomas and E. T. Andrews. It describes in detail the arms and accoutrements of officers and soldiers, formation and exercise of a company, instruction of recruits, formation and marching of columns, disposition and firing of fieldpieces, laying out of a camp, inspection, treatment of the sick, reviews of parade, and other essentials. The volume is further enhanced by reproductions of the eight copperplates from the 1794 edition and an Appendix (the United States Militia Act of 1792).

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0486249344
• ISBN13: 9780486249346
• Release Date: September 1985
• Publisher: Dover Publications
• Length: 153 Pages
• Weight: 0.47 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.3" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

Incredible historical document

Von Steuben's drill manual is of extrordinary importance for several reasons. At the shallowest level, it is a primary source for Revolutionary War and War of 1812 reenactors. For 34 years, (1778-1812) this was THE book for the U.S. Army, so any reenactor interested in this period should start here. Pertaining to the history of the U.S. Army, this was the first manual, the first set of standards in place in the army. The first of anything sets the tone for later developments, and any serious research about the U.S. Army or Army doctrine should start here. As an enduring framework, the "Instructions" section is still echoed in U.S. Army leadership doctrine. The roles, responsibilities, and relationships of officers and non-commissioned officers haven't changed that much, especially when compared to the changes in tactics and technology in the intervening centuries. A regimental commander's "first and greatest care" should be "the preservation of the soldiers health", "A captain cannot be too careful of the company the state has committed to his charge", "the discipline and order of a company" depend upon the non-commissioned officers. All these ideas ring true whether the army was outfited with flintlocks or thermal-sighted gas-operated selective fire rifles. This continuity is of tremendous value to the spirit of a successful army. This manual was also the instrument of a military transformation for the U.S. Army. Von Steuben arrived at the Continental Army's encampment, and popular legend in the U.S. Army is that he was so shocked by the lack of discipline and disorder that he sat down and wrote the first copy of this manual that very night. This is not true, as mentioned in the publisher's note, but by bringing military discipline to the Continental Army, a bunch of farmers and store clerks were able to turn the tides and defeat the premier ground forces of the era. Again, a significant event in the history of military science as well as American history. As a fencer, I was a little disappointed. Although in the first chapter it mentions that officers and NCOs are to be armed with swords, there is no further mention of the use of swords. Other than this one shortcoming, this was a very enlightening book about the period, and is an influential manual with continuing significance to military science and U.S. Army history.

Excellent tool for understanding focused discipline

I bought this book for the sole purpose of reviewing discipline in military organizations. Being an AF First Sergeant, it re-focused and validated many of the methods still used today. An excellent way to see how history can be a valuable tool in teaching and leading. The only down side is the dry reading. The english language has progressed leaps and bounds since the Revolutionary War.

von Steuben's Drill Manual

This copy is a must have reference for any Revolutionary War reenactor or Eighteenth Century history enthusiast. It is an actual copy of the original printing. von Steuben is often called the Father of the modern Army, due to his contributions to our training readiness at Valley Forge encampment 1777-1778.(http://www.nps.gov/vafo/) Required reading for new recruits in the Continental Army of his excellency General George Washington!