Thomas J. Cram
Encyclopedia
Thomas Jefferson Cram was an engineer
in the service of the U.S. Corps of Topographical Engineers during the American Civil War
.
. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy
in 1826 and served on its faculty from 1826 to 1836. After working for the railroad industry for two years, he returned to Army service as a captain in 1838. Assigned as a topographical
engineer, he worked on numerous surveys in Texas
, the Upper Midwest and other western states.
In Wisconsin
and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan
, Cram is honored for his historic 1840 treaty with the Ojibwa
Chief Ca-sha-o-sha. As part of the settlement of the "Toledo War," between Michigan and Ohio, most of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan was granted to Michigan. Cram conducted a reconnaissance exploration and established the Mile Corner Zero in 1840 and the route of the line in 1841. He made a treaty for passage with Chief Ca-Sha-O-Sha and his band of Ojibwa (Chippewa) near a large tamarack tree near the Mile Corner Zero at the Brule River
. This event and the tamarac
tree that marked the spot of the agreement, is a Michigan historical landmark.
From 1855-1858 he was the chief topographical engineer for the Department of the Pacific
.
In the early months of the Civil War (1861), Cram was promoted to major
and then lieutenant colonel
. He served as aide to General Wool
from 1861–63 and was engaged in the campaign to capture Norfolk, Virginia
, in May 1862. Lt. Col. Cram was transferred to the Army Corps of Engineers
when the Topographical Engineers were disbanded in 1863, and was promoted to full colonel
at the end of the war in 1865. He was later brevetted
to Major General to recognize his war service, and served until his retirement in 1869.
Cram died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
, where he is buried.
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
in the service of the U.S. Corps of Topographical Engineers during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
.
Biography
Cram was born in New HampshireNew Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
in 1826 and served on its faculty from 1826 to 1836. After working for the railroad industry for two years, he returned to Army service as a captain in 1838. Assigned as a topographical
Topography
Topography is the study of Earth's surface shape and features or those ofplanets, moons, and asteroids...
engineer, he worked on numerous surveys in Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, the Upper Midwest and other western states.
In Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan
Upper Peninsula of Michigan
The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is the northern of the two major land masses that make up the U.S. state of Michigan. It is commonly referred to as the Upper Peninsula, the U.P., or Upper Michigan. It is also known as the land "above the Bridge" linking the two peninsulas. The peninsula is bounded...
, Cram is honored for his historic 1840 treaty with the Ojibwa
Ojibwa
The Ojibwe or Chippewa are among the largest groups of Native Americans–First Nations north of Mexico. They are divided between Canada and the United States. In Canada, they are the third-largest population among First Nations, surpassed only by Cree and Inuit...
Chief Ca-sha-o-sha. As part of the settlement of the "Toledo War," between Michigan and Ohio, most of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan was granted to Michigan. Cram conducted a reconnaissance exploration and established the Mile Corner Zero in 1840 and the route of the line in 1841. He made a treaty for passage with Chief Ca-Sha-O-Sha and his band of Ojibwa (Chippewa) near a large tamarack tree near the Mile Corner Zero at the Brule River
Brule River
Brule River is a river in the U.S. states of Michigan and Wisconsin, and nearly the entire course forms a portion of the boundary between the two states.The Brule begins at Brule Lake, just inside the Michigan border, at...
. This event and the tamarac
Tamarac
Tamarac may refer to various places in the United States:Settlements* Tamarac, Florida* Tamarac Township, MinnesotaWild areas in Minnesota:* Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge** Tamarac Wilderness, within the RefugeRivers in Minnesota:...
tree that marked the spot of the agreement, is a Michigan historical landmark.
From 1855-1858 he was the chief topographical engineer for the Department of the Pacific
Department of the Pacific
The Department of the Pacific was a major command of the United States Army during the 19th century.-Formation:The Department of the Pacific was first organized on October 31, 1853, at San Francisco, California, taking over from the previous Pacific Division. The department reported directly to...
.
In the early months of the Civil War (1861), Cram was promoted to major
Major (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, major is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel...
and then lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of major and just below the rank of colonel. It is equivalent to the naval rank of commander in the other uniformed services.The pay...
. He served as aide to General Wool
John E. Wool
John Ellis Wool was an officer in the United States Army during three consecutive U.S. wars: the War of 1812, the Mexican-American War and the American Civil War. By the time of the Mexican-American War, he was widely considered one of the most capable officers in the army and a superb organizer...
from 1861–63 and was engaged in the campaign to capture Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
, in May 1862. Lt. Col. Cram was transferred to the Army Corps of Engineers
United States Army Corps of Engineers
The United States Army Corps of Engineers is a federal agency and a major Army command made up of some 38,000 civilian and military personnel, making it the world's largest public engineering, design and construction management agency...
when the Topographical Engineers were disbanded in 1863, and was promoted to full colonel
Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
at the end of the war in 1865. He was later brevetted
Brevet (military)
In many of the world's military establishments, brevet referred to a warrant authorizing a commissioned officer to hold a higher rank temporarily, but usually without receiving the pay of that higher rank except when actually serving in that role. An officer so promoted may be referred to as being...
to Major General to recognize his war service, and served until his retirement in 1869.
Cram died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, where he is buried.