Joel Tyler Headley

“ The awkwardness of the men, at times, would throw him into terrible rage, but his kindness, care, and liberality toward the suffering soldier made him beloved by all. In May, 1778, congress, acting under the advice of Washington, made him inspector-general of the army with the rank of major-general, and he at once entered on his duties and appointed sub-inspectors throughout the army. A thorough system of discipline and economy was established, until the whole army became a single machine in his hands. It is impossible to give in detail the great work he accomplished. ”

“ He at once wrote to congress, offering his services to the colonies, saying that the motive that brought him here was to “serve a nation engaged in the noble work of defending its rights and liberties,” and adding that, although he had “given up an honorable title and lucrative rank,” he asked “neither riches nor honors.” ”

“ In the autumn of 1780 he published a manual for the army, furnished with diagrams to explain his rules. It was entitled “Regulations for the Order and Discipline of the Troops of the United States.” Each chapter was written first in poor German, then translated into poor French, then put into good French, and lastly into good English, in which last condition it was entirely unintelligible to Steuben. It nevertheless served its purpose, became the law and guide of the army, and, even after the war, was adopted by several of the states. ”