The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-12-15


Shelter ~ . jail.
Povr Towxsrvp, Dec f4-fsrec7sL -
There walked out Of the city prison this
morning . man with q remarkable history.
. history that roaid honor any citizen Of
the United States. Maj August
Thierman. United States army. retired .
while temporarily ineorissed yesterday
applied 20 Chief Of Police Hickman for
food and shelter. The chief. who. BIZ the
Way. served in the Union army and IS
sisted 20 blockade the Southern ports dar-
ing the war OF the rebellion. when he
learned the identity Of the applicant, gave
him warm supper and good bed in the
hospital department. A few hours reposs
restored Thisrmsn to his normal condi-
ton He raised his outer garments ard
removed from around his neck leather
pouch. which contained letters from the
most distinguished statesmen Of this
country and q statement from the war
department. showing that he had actively
participated in "a battles. was wounded
seven times, had thirteen army commits
sions and had served in the United States
army forty-two years and th'rty-seven
days. To a Posr-IsrELIIeEscER CORE
epondent today be exhibited bis papers.
letters and communications from the war
department
August Thierman was born in New York
city in 1919 His father, Daniel L. Thier-
man, was prosperous merchant and was
mayor of that city from lisa TO 1860.
defeating ex-Gov. John T. Hoffman. the
Republican candidate. In 1sSS young
Thierrnan vas sent 10 West Point. where
he remained two years and then joined
the army for active service. Among his
classmates were Col. Underwood, u. S. A,
and Gen. Beauregard, C. =. A. He was
assigned to Troop /, First Dragons, Flor
ida, of which company Jefferson Davis.
who In iater years became president of the
Confederate states. was first lieutenant
aud himself second lieutenant. He served
in the Indian wars of Florida for four
years and was then transferred to Mary
land in 1915, where an Indian outbreak
was threatened. At the commencement
OF the Mexican war he was sent TO the
land of the Montezumas. where he made a
gallant record and was compiimented for
bravery on the field of battle in special
orders by Gen. Taylor. His company was
then ordered TO the Northwest to assist
In suppressing the Indian outbreak. He
landed In Portland on May /, 1s49. He
was with Gen. Dent and took part in
many battles In Oregon, Idaho and Wash
ington against the Indians. Several bat
ties occurred in Eastern Washington of
which he has q distinct recollection. In
the massacre OF Maihur river, Oregon, in
1854, where ninety-one families were slain.
Lieut. Thierman and his command saved
from Indian captivity forty-two women,
many of whom are living on the Coast to-
day. Hi. stories of Indian fights in the
Northwest would fill volume. He was
also present at Col. Steptoe's massacre in
1857. When Fort Sumter was fired on his
command was sent East. He entered the
war as first lieutenant and came out four
years later as inspector general. He re-
ceived twelve promotions and was
wounded several times. Among the i'm
portant engagements in which no took
part were the battles Of Bull Run. Stone
Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg,
Gettysburg. Cold Harbor, WILDERNESS and
Spottsylvania Court House. Among the
distinguished generals under whom he
served were Buchnan. Grant, Sheridan,
Crook. Augur, Russell, Dent. Ingalls, and
Wright. Gen. Thierman was present at
the capture of Jefferson Davis. president
of the Confederacy, and was on duty at
Fortress Munroe nine months in 1866 with
Gen. Miles, where Davis and his family.
C. c. Clay. q noted Confederate spy, and
other prisoners of war were confined. He
tells q story OF daring attempt TO as
sassinate Davis by a chaplain Of the Union
army. The chaplain had drawn "bead"
on the Confederate chieftain, when
brother officer seized the gun and pre-
vented a murder. In 1889 Thierman re-
ceived the following letter from Davis.
which he now has in mis- possession:
"BEAuvoiR, Miss, March s, 1880
maj. August Thierman-Dear Sir: Ny
wi fe and l well remember your kindness
during my captivity, and are glad to have
heard from you and to know that good
fortune has attended you, which we trust
will continue to the end of your earthly
pilgrimage. Our daughter (Winnie) il
now grown and lives at home here. She
was educated in Germany and speaks the
language learned at Carlsruhe fuently as
her own. We all three send our kind re-
CARDS TO you and yours. Very truly.
JEFFERSON DAVIS"
In 1865, along with Gems. Stone and
Lawrence and fourteen other officers, he
went to Egypt to assist the khedive in or
ganiZing an army, which defeated the
king of Ahyssinia. He remained abroad
two years and then re-entered the United
States army. and remained until his re-
tirement in 1852 To engage in other pur-
suits. He removed 20 Fargo, y. D.. with
his wife and children. During cyclone
his residence was blown down and his
family killed. This blow was too much
for man Of his years and he sold out
and came West. Sickness and ill-iuck has
broken his constitution and spirit and his
days of campaign on this earth are almost
numbered. He has personal letters from
Presidents Lincoln and Johnson, Secre-
tary OF War Stanton, Stonewall Jackson,
Grant, McClennan and other distinguished
generals. He had four brothers three of
whom were killed in the civil war and the
other persisted with Custer in the Back
Hills massacre. Mai. Thierman has thir-
teen commissions issued by the war de-
pariment from lieutenant, captain, lieu
tcnsnt-colonei. colonel, TO major general
and inspector general of the army corps.
When the local Grand Army post learned
the mans history its members provided
him with proper noarishmen. and care.
gave him few dollars and sent him to
Seattle today. where he says he has
friend named Miller, who will care for
HIM. fhierman draws pension of 50 a
month. He has been placed in the Sol
diers Home. but his proud military spirit
rebels against government charity and lie
would not remain In the institution.
THE ROAD CONVENTION.
Li.s OF the Delegates Appointed From
Nineteen Of thr Intrty-Eaar Tauns,a.