Descendants of Wisconsin Veterans mark anniversary of Civil War
Milwaukee Journal

Captain Thielemann's German Cavalry honored us with a visit. They arrived in front of our office at 3 o'clock in the afternoon with their legendary Captain.

The Illinois Staats-Zeitung took the opportunity to give the company, for which you yourselves have expressed so warm an interest, an inspection. The officers have their new uniforms: short, gray jackets with black collars and piping, and the ranks (enlisted men) red blouses, a la Garibaldi, black pants and knee-length cavalry boots. We quickly counted 60 men who expressed their pure resolution to strike and bring honor to their German names. Mr. Wilhelm Kapp gave a brief, patriotic speech to the cavalrymen that drew three thunderous "Hurrahs!" in reply. The Company is commanded by Captain (Christian) Thielemann and Lieutenants Marschner and Marr. Mr. Marr, so we hear, is the target of special praise for his activities in obtaining the necessary equipment the company possesses, so that they were fully uniformed and outfitted in a few days. The movement of the troops was as good a show as any military school.

Who will give this company a flag? Hopefully, it will be our Germans of Chicago. This company should not leave without a flag being given to them as a memento!

Taeglische Ill. Staats-Zeitung, August 6, 1861.

This unit was later expanded into the 16th Illinois Cavalry. Companies A & B (the original unit) served as escort and couriers for Gen. Wm. T. Sherman. They were present at Shiloh, Vicksburg and other actions through the fall of Atlanta. Courtesy of John Thielmann, Milwaukee, great-great grandnephew of Mathias Thielmann, Sgt., Co. A, 16th Illinois Cavalry. (Originally Capt. Christian Thielemann's German Cavalry.) Mathias Thielmann enlisted with them in July of 1861 and was mustered out after 3 years service in September, 1864.

George Bosworth Van Norman was a prominent Milwaukeean, friend to Captain Pabst, and business partner of famous Milwaukeeans Wm. Plankinton and O.F. Mason.

Born to a farming family in Iowa County, George had little formal schooling.  Practical knowledge he gained in farming and raising livestock proved invaluable in his later career.