The Revolutionary War Drill Manual was written by Major General Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben in 1778 and 1779, during the American Revolution. Commissioned to train troops at Valley Forge, Steuben formed a model drill company of 100 men, who were to in turn train others, thus causing the new drill procedures to be eventually taught to the entire army. He and published his drill instructions in a manual that was widely distributed throughout the Continental Army.
Originally entitled "Regulations for the Order and Discipline of the Troops of the United States," it became commonly known as the army's "blue book."
It remained the official U.S. military guide until 1812.
Famous quotes containing the words war, drill and/or manual:
“You went to meet the shell’s embrace of fire
On Vimy Ridge; and when you fell that day
The war seemed over more for you than me,
But now for me than you the other way.”
—Robert Frost (1874–1963)
“Swift blazing flag of the regiment,
Eagle with crest of red and gold,
These men were born to drill and die.
Point for them the virtue of slaughter,
Make plain to them the excellence of killing
And a field where a thousand corpses lie.”
—Stephen Crane (1871–1900)
“Language ought to be the joint creation of poets and manual workers.”
—George Orwell (1903–1950)