Thread by @Shoq

Good morning. I've been revisiting my revolutionary war knowledge and came across a fascinating little fact I never knew. Let me tell you a short story.

After the disastrous retreat from New York in 1776, George Washington’s army was in dire shape—badly beaten, shrinking from

desertion, and reeling from a smallpox outbreak that killed thousands and threatened to cripple what remained. For a time, the survival of the Continental Army itself was in doubt.

Washington’s army at Valley Forge was barely holding together—cold, underfed, poorly clothed,

Prussian Army Captain, Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, walked into at Washington's request. He imposed standardized drills, simplified European tactics, and trained a core group who then spread those methods across the army. Just as important, he gave the troops structure and

confidence. They began to move and fight as a unit rather than a collection of individuals.

By the time they faced the British at Battle of Monmouth, the difference showed. The army could stand its ground, maneuver under pressure, and operate with discipline. Washington kept

the army alive, while von Steuben helped make it into something capable of winning. These successes were key reasons the French finally decided to step up their game and help win the war for our independence.

And why did this Prussian captain leave Europe for the new World?

Because he was accused of being gay. Never proved, but disgraced and ruined nonetheless. General Washington knew and didn't care.

As fake-warrior Pete Kegsbreath drives gay and trans people from our military, consider the irony. Without von Steuben's prowess, we'd probably

still be a British colony.

and unevenly trained. Many soldiers were closer to militia than professionals, morale was shaky, and coordination in battle was unreliable. It wasn’t collapsing, but it wasn’t a force you’d trust against British regulars in a sustained fight. That’s the situation a