Thomas Tipton Thornburgh (December 26, 1843 – September 29, 1879) was a career soldier, starting during the American Civil War when he enlisted with the Sixth East Tennessee Volunteers for the Union Army.

Mid-war, he left the ranks to study at the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating in 1867.

After serving in the west for a number of years, he was made the commander of Fort Steele and Indian scout who received orders to establish peace with the White River Utes.

[2] In 1861, Thornburgh enlisted in the Sixth East Tennessee Volunteers as a private and was quickly promoted to sergeant-major, lieutenant, and adjunct.

[5] Thornburgh enrolled at West Point, the United States Military Academy, on July 1, 1863, and graduated on June 17, 1867, and that day he was promoted to second lieutenant in the second artillery.

[4][7] Thornburgh was in the garrison at Fort Foote in Maryland from November 27, 1871, to June 20, 1873,[3][7] when he became an active member of the masonic degree of knighthood in the Demolay Commandery, No.

[7] He was promoted to the rank of Major in April 1875 and appointed to the position of paymaster in San Antonio, Texas on July 12, 1875.

[8] On September 16, 1879, Thornburgh received an order from army headquarters "to move with a sufficient number of troops to the White River Ute Agency, Colorado, under special instructions".

[10] Major Thornburgh, the commander of Fort Steele, arranged for around 180 soldiers from companies D and F of the Fifth Cavalry, led by Lieutenant B. D. Price and Captain J. S. Payne.

[1][10] Chief Jack (Nicaagat) met the expedition at Yampa River, seeking to understand the purpose and strength of the exhibition.

[3] After his death in 1879, his father-in-law, Major Clarke, traveled to the front to receive his body,[7] which was then transported by train to Omaha, Nebraska.