The New International Encyclopædia/Thielmann, Johann Adolf, Baron
THIELMANN, tēl'mȧn, ,
Baron (1765-1824). A Prussian general, born at
Dresden. He entered a Saxon regiment in 1782,
served through the Rhine campaigns, and was
engaged on the side of Prussia in the battle of
Jena in 1806. He was next sent by Saxony as
Ambassador to Napoleon I., became his ardent
admirer, and did much to bring about the Franco-Saxon
Alliance. He served with the French as
major in the campaign of 1807; fought at Friedland
in that year, was made major-general, and
operated against the Austrians in Saxony. In
the Russian campaign of 1812 he commanded a
brigade of cavalry and for exceptional bravery
in the battle af Borodino was made a baron. As
commander of Torgau in the early part of 1813
he entered into communications with the Allies,
and on being ordered by the Saxon King to deliver
the town to the French, resigned his post and
went over to the enemy. He was given command
of a Saxon corps which participated in the
invasion of France in 1814. He next joined the
Prussian Army (1815), and led the Third Army
Corps at Ligny and at Wavre, contributing
materially to the victory at Waterloo.