Brisbin, James Sanks, 1837-1892

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Brisbin, James Sanks, 1837-1892

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Surname :

Brisbin

Forename :

James Sanks

Date :

1837-1892

eng

Latn

authorizedForm

rda

Genders

Male

Exist Dates

Exist Dates - Date Range

1837-05-23

1837-05-23

Birth

1892-01-14

1892-01-14

Death

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Biographical History

Brisbin was born in 1837 at Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, a son of Margaret and Ezra Brisbin. He studied at the Boalsburg Academy, and upon graduating Brisbin began teaching. He later purchased and edited the Centre Democrat newspaper in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, and also studied law and was later admitted to the bar of Pennsylvania. Brisbin was prominently known as an anti-slavery orator.

When the American Civil War began in 1861, Brisbin was a lawyer in practice. He enlisted in the Pennsylvania volunteer services that April as a private. On April 26, he was appointed a second lieutenant in the mounted 2nd U.S. Dragoons. He fought in the First Battle of Bull Run near Manassas, Virginia, on July 21. In this battle, Brisbin received two wounds, one in his side and the other in an arm, and was praised by his superiors for his performance during the fight.

On August 3, 1861, Brisbin transferred to the 1st U.S. Cavalry (previously known as the 1st Dragoons until a reorganization of the army) but then was appointed a captain in the 6th U.S. Cavalry two days later. On June 9, 1862, he fought during the action near Beverly Ford, Virginia, and was again wounded when he fell off of his horse. Exactly one year later Brisbin was brevetted to the rank of major for his conduct at Beverly Ford. In 1863 he very briefly led the cavalry forces in the Federal Department of the Susquehanna, and was wounded in a leg during combat near Greenbrier, Virginia, on July 26.

Brisbin was promoted to colonel on March 1, 1864, and organized the 5th United States Colored Cavalry. He served as the acting head of cavalry on the staff of Brig. Gen. Albert L. Lee during the Red River Campaign, and was again wounded during the Battle of Mansfield in Louisiana on April 8, this time in the right foot. On December 12, 1864, Brisbin was brevetted to brigadier general in the Union Army, and seven days later was appointed a brevet lieutenant colonel in the regular army for his performance at Battle of Marion in Tennessee. In 1865, he was on recruiting duty in Kentucky, serving on the staff of Maj. Gen. Stephen G. Burbridge. On March 13, Brisbin was brevetted to colonel in the regular army as well as brevetted major general in the Union Army, and on May 1 he was promoted to brigadier general. Brisbin was mustered out of the Union Army as a volunteer on January 15, 1866.

After the war, Brisbin remained in the regular army, aiding in the establishment of other colored regiments and served in the Northwestern United States as an officer in several cavalry regiments. From 1868–92, he served as an officer in several cavalry regiments, including the Second, Ninth, First, and Eighth regiments in the Northwestern United States. Brisbin was in command of the 2nd Cavalry of General John Gibbon's Montana Column at the time of the Little Big Horn campaign. Brisbin offered four companies of his 2nd Cavalry to General George Armstrong Custer at the final command meeting of Generals Terry, Gibbon, and Custer just prior to the final march into the Big Horn valley, but Custer declined it, stating that the 7th Cavalry alone could defeat the hostiles. Brisbin never forgave Custer for this, and is alleged to have called the dead Custer an "insufferable ass". In various correspondence (see Graham "The Custer Myth", Philbrick, "The Last Stand") Brisbin was openly critical of Custer's actions - whether or not because of personal jealousy cannot be determined. Brisbin also penned the then-bestselling "Beef Bonzana" which urged investment in Open Range Cattle. At the time of his death he was a colonel in command of the Eighth Cavalry Regiment and was in command at Fort Meade. Brisbin died on January 14, 1892 in Philadelphia. He was buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Red Wing, Minnesota.

Brisbin married Mary Jane Wagner on June 15, 1861. They had four children. His wife died at Fort McKinney in 1887. In 1891 he married Amelia Wilson in Red Wing, Minnesota.

He was also a prolific writer, and contributed articles and letters to Eastern periodicals on many subjects throughout his career. He was known for his works on the Army Indian Wars, the West and Montana Territory.

eng

Latn

External Related CPF

https://viaf.org/viaf/4047738

https://www.worldcat.org/identities/lccn-n88629504

https://id.loc.gov/authorities/n88629504

https://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q3161388

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5892343/james-sanks-brisbin

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Languages Used

eng

Latn

Subjects

African Americans

United States. Army

Authors

Bull Run, 1st Battle of, Va., 1861

Civil War, 1861-1865

Crow Indians

Dakota Indians

Dakota Indians

Dakota Indians

District of columbia

Federal aid to Indians

Frontier and pioneer life

Frontier and pioneer life

Frontier and pioneer life

Gold mines and mining

Horse industry

Horses

Indians of North America

Indians of North America

Indians of North America

Indians of North America

Mansfield, Battle of, La., 1864

Military

Military bases

Mines and Mineral Recources

Mines and mineral resources

Missionaries

Missouri River

Montana

Native Americans

Public lands

Red River Campaign, 1864

Sheep ranches

Steamboats

Transportation

Yellowstone National Park

Nationalities

Americans

Activities

Occupations

Abolitionists

Teachers

Authors

Editors

Lawyers

Soldiers

Soldiers

Legal Statuses

Places

Philadelphia

PA, US

AssociatedPlace

Death

James Sanks Brisbin died on January 14, 1892.

Omaha

NE, US

AssociatedPlace

Residence

James Sanks Brisbin was stationed at Omaha Barracks.

Louisiana

LA, US

AssociatedPlace

Work

James Sanks Brisbin served a portion of his Civil War Service in Louisiana.

Bellefonte

PA, US

AssociatedPlace

Residence

James Sanks Brisbin owned and edited the Centre Democrat.

Louisville

KY, US

AssociatedPlace

Work

James Sanks Brisbin performed recruiting duty in Kentucky.

Tennessee

TN, US

AssociatedPlace

Work

James Sanks Brisbin served a portion of his Civil War Service in Tennessee.

Gallatin County

MT, US

AssociatedPlace

Residence

James Sanks Brisbin served in the Indian Wars in Montana.

Virginia

VA, US

AssociatedPlace

Work

James Sanks Brisbin served a portion of his Civil War Service in Virginia.

Pennsylvania

PA, US

AssociatedPlace

Birth

James Sanks Brisbin was born in Harris Township on May 23, 1837.

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Identity Constellation Identifier(s)

w6pn9c7p

30708716