“He appears to be much of a gentleman,” he wrote when the baron arrived at camp, “and as far as I have had an opportunity of judging, a man of military knowledge, and acquainted with the world.” Why Ukraine Has Seen Centuries of Conflict “Rather than stay and provide a defense, rather than call upon his friends…to vouch for his reputation, von Steuben chose to flee his homeland,” writes Benemann. But he was gay, and homosexuality was viewed as a criminal aberration by many of his peers. Benemann notes, there’s no historical evidence that von Steuben was a pedophile. But his application was tanked when an anonymous letter accused him of having “taken familiarities” with young boys.Īs historian William E. He was unimpressed by Franklin’s suggestion that he volunteer to help the American army, and tried instead to get another military job in the court at Baden. Later in life, he wrote about an “implacable enemy” who had apparently led to his firing, but historians are unsure of the exact circumstances of the dismissal.Īfter being fired, von Steuben bounced from job to job. Von Steuben joined the military when he was 17 and had become Frederick the Great’s personal aide, but despite a seemingly promising career he was abruptly dismissed in 1763. He also downplayed rumors that the baron had been dismissed from the Prussian military for homosexuality. Benjamin Franklin, who recommended von Steuben to Washington, played up his qualifications.

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