Throughout the pages of American history, homosexual individuals serving in the military have faced discrimination. The official repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy in 2011 marked a huge milestone, granting soldiers the freedom to express their sexual orientation without the threat of discharge. Initially implemented by President Bill Clinton in 1993, this policy aimed to amend the ban on homosexual service members instated after World War II. However, for many observers, it appeared to continue the prohibition rather than dismantle it.
Friedrich Wilhelm August Heinrich Ferdinand von Steuben, a Prussian military figure, was openly gay. Credited for his main role in transforming the Continental Army into a strong fighting unit during the American Revolutionary War, von Steuben’s legacy endures as a testament to his contributions.
Friedrich von Steuben was born into a military family
It was always likely Friedrich von Steuben would be a soldier. When he was a child, his father, Wilhelm, took him to Crimea during the Russian war against the Turks. It is alleged von Steuben first served at the age of 14 during a campaign in the War of Austrian Succession (1740-48), before formally joining the German military three years later.
von Steuben experienced a rapid rise in the Prussian Army. He distinguished himself during the Seven Years’ War, and was promoted to the rank of captain and later made the aide-de-camp to Frederick the Great, the Prussian King.
In 1863, however, he was surprisingly discharged from the Prussian Army. The exact reason for his downfall is unknown, but is thought to have been due to the machinations of a political rival.
Benjamin Franklin and George Washington make him an offer
After his discharge, Friedrich von Steuben acted as a hired gun and bounced from job to job. In 1877, he was introduced to Benjamin Franklin. While the Continental Congress certainly needed the help of military men like von Steuben, they didn’t have the money to pay them. Instead, Franklin asked him to aid the American forces as a volunteer.
von Steuben was offended by the suggestion and rejected the offer. Soon after, however, he changed his mind.
Franklin and George Washington were aware of the rumors about von Steuben’s sexuality, but it didn’t matter to them. They were thrilled to have an officer with his background and reputation, with Washington saying of him, “He appears to be much of a gentleman, and as far as I have had an opportunity of judging, a man of military knowledge, and acquainted with the world.”
Whipping the Continental Army into shape
Upon arriving at the American camps, Friedrich von Steuben was shocked by the conditions he encountered. With the war having persisted for three years, the Continental Army found itself in a precarious position against the British forces, resulting in diminished morale and lax discipline.
Without delay, von Steuben put in place strict sanitation protocols and reorganized the camp layouts, starting rigorous military drills in the Prussian style. Alongside his role as a drill instructor, he fostered camaraderie among the soldiers, often hosting them in his quarters for entertainment.
Notably, von Steuben formed a close bond with his aides-de-camp Benjamin Walker and William North. Although Walker and North were believed to be romantically involved, the nature of von Steuben’s relationship with them remains uncertain, though it’s speculated he was romantically linked to North.
The connection between the men endured long beyond the end of the war, with von Steuben officially adopting Walker and North as his heirs.
Friedrich von Steuben’s efforts were wildly successful
Friedrich von Steuben didn’t just drill the troops and update their sanitary standards, he also improved their fighting methods. American soldiers had been using their bayonets as cooking tools rather than weapons, and von Steuben taught them how to properly use the attachment. During a nighttime attack at the Battle of Stony Point, the Continental Army used their bayonets to score a crucial victory.
Over the course of 1778-79, von Steuben penned the Regulations for the Order and Discipline of the Troops of the United States. The guide was adopted by the Army and used until 1814, while the drills were practiced until the Mexican-American War.
His actions are widely credited as being instrumental to the Americans winning over the British.
Later life with other Revolutionary War veterans
Friedrich von Steuben was not close to his family in Europe and thus decided to stay in America following the war. After spending time in New Jersey, he eventually settled in New York, close to Oneida. Walker and North lived with him, along with another Revolutionary War veteran, John Mulligan, who was also thought to be gay.
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When von Steuben died, Walker and North inherited his estate. Mulligan inherited his library, maps and $2,500.