General George Washington, leader of the Revolutionary War, was worried about his troops during the Winter of 1777-78, as they were camped for the winter at Valley Forge. He turned to prayer.

Soon there appeared on his doorstep Lieutenant General Friedrich Ludholf Gerhardt Wilhelm Augustine Von Steuben, from the Prussian Army, with a letter of introduction from Benjamin Franklin, the U.S. Minister to France.

Von Steuben heard about the War in the Colonies, and went to France where he met Benjamin Franklin. Franklin was impressed with the man and wrote him a letter of introduction to John Hancock, the president of Congress. Hancock provided a team of horses, a carriage, and servants and sent him to meet General Washington.

Soon after his arrival at Valley Forge, Von Steuben was given the assignment to drill with the troops. Washington saw in the character of Von Steuben just what he had been looking for; a man who could instill some needed traits in his soldiers, such as confidence, uniformity, performance of duties, and proper military bearing.

The American soldiers taught the Prussian general about independence, while he was teaching them about military procedures. It turned out to be just what General Washington had been praying for. His soldiers began to perform their duties with a new spring in their step. And as you know, they went on to win the War!