Nebraska advertiser., 1863-01-31
Complimentary.

A correspondent ofthe st. Louis Dem
Ocrat gives Brig, Thayer the following
well deserved notice. Mes>rs. Blacker
and Whit.On, of Nebraska Cily, are also
spoken of in terms of praise:
The sally upon the enemy's works al
V~icksburg was one of the most brilliant
exploits of the present war. For a long
time Yicksburg has stood as one of the
strongest bulwarks of RebeIdon. The
best artillery and the most >kiIlful arlil-
lerIsls in the world are there. whilst
plenty of Infantry lie within supporting
d stance of the already well appointed
garrison. Without knowing anything of
the strength at Vicksburg- whether
Grant was threatening the enemy in
Mississippi, behind Vicksburg or not, the
attack was made. Our troops fought
with heroic bravery.
1t is not unfit that the brave men that
led this brilliant sally should have a place
IN the current history of The war. |
propose in this connection TO give you a
short sketch of Brig. Gen. John M.
Thayer, the most prominent of those who
led the gallant s;orming party into the
enemy's works at ChickasaW Bluffs.
General Thayer was born 10 Massa.
chuse,ts, near Boston. He went from
his native State 10 the Far West, aid
settled in the Territory Of Nebraska,
wheni il was being opened for settlement.
Soon after be setlIed in Nebraska. he
was rendered and accept the position of
Major-GeDeral of the n ilitia force Of the
Territory. He at once SET about to or
game the militia of the Territory, and
procure the necessary legislation to It's
organization. In the summer of 1859
there was an outbreak among the IndI-
dians, and the Pawnee tribe became
warIike aud troublesome. The settlers
were obliged TO leave the interior and Nv
10 the river towns for sa ely. General
Thayer Organsz-d his forces. como Ell
of abont two hundred men aud one piece
OF artillery, and marched upon the Indi.
ans. The result was hat the whole
tribe was captured, aud piece AMI quiet
were restored TO the border. )
At the commencement of thepresent
war he was appointed Colonel of the 1st
Nebraska Regiment, which has dislin.
guished itself upon the batlle.heldS Of
HnDal-on aud ShiiO. II is owing 10 his
efficient management that the regiment
enjoys the high reputation ii does. Upon
the organization of the regiment he ap-
piled immediately for active service
He was ordered to Fort L%eavenw5rth.
where his regiment was armed aud
equipped. Since that time its history is
well known.
AT Dlnelson, Gsn. Thayer commanded
IA brigade. composed of eight regiments
Of infantry and one battery. H Ie-
lIeved Gen. MeClerDaud at a critical ps-
riod, aud repulsed the last sally of the
en- my at Donelso.
At-shIlo he also commanded a brigade
and became, in the changing fortunes of
that well fought battlefield, the COM
mander of tue extreme right. 1t was at
this time he defeated a flank movement
of the enemy, which, if successful. would
have Produ0ek disaster to our arms.
Gen. Thayer was appointed a Briga-
der by the President for distinguished
services" after the adjournment of the
last Congress. He now commands a
brigade in the expedition against Vicks-
burg, and distinguished himself in lead
ing his brigade into the enemy's works.
Such an officer should at one be given a
better command, Al Donelson and Shi-
lob be showed himself competent to ham
DIRE adivision, aud these bright evidences
OF his worth and ability are sufficient
guarantees that he would serve his roun-
Try more advantageously with a larger
command. He is wothy Of q Major,
GsnsFalshiR"