The Army of the American Revolution and its Organizer: Rudolf Cronau's Biography of Baron von Steuben. A professional soldier in the army of Prussian King Frederick the Great, Steuben came the American colonies in 1777 at the urging of Benjamin Franklin to act as an advisor to Gen. George Washington. Bolstered by his belief in the cause of colonial independence, Steuben set about the total reorganization of the Continentals' military structure with a new emphasis on drilling, discipline and time-honored battlefield tactics and strategy. The baron succeeded in transforming the Continental Army from a slip-shod troop of guerrillas into a motivated, highly disciplined corps of soldiers and officers. Much information is drawn from Steuben's own correspondence. (1923) reprint