Historic Valley Forge
Baron von Steuben?
Q.I heard rumors in college that Von Steuben was not a baron but a enlisted man that deserted and fled to the colonies. There was no Von Steuben baroney.
SGT Thomas j. Preston, Natick, MA
A. Von Steuben was given the title of Baron in 1764 after becoming chamberlain (Hofsmarschall) at the petty court of Hohenzollern-Hechingen in Prussia. He was dismissed from military service in the Prussian army in 1763 for unknown reasons with the rank of Captain.
For more information, see our brief biography of Von Steuben.
