Brisbin, James S. (James Sanks), 1837-1892

Army Major on the Sioux expedition with the 2nd U.S. Cavalry,stationed temporarily at Fort Pease on the north bank of the Yellowstone River about seven miles below the mouth of the Big Horn River.

James Sanks Brisbin was born at Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, May 23, 1837. He attended Boalsburg academy and received a college education. Upon completion of his schooling, he purchased and edited the Centre Democrat, at Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. During the same period, Brisbin studied law and was later admitted to the bar of Pennsylvania. He was known in Pennsylvania as an anti-slavery orator. He enlisted in the Union Army in 1861, and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the First Dragoons. Brisbin subsequently served in both major theaters of the war, as a line officer, staff officer, and organizer of regiments of Negro cavalry. In this latter capacity he was promoted to Colonel of the 5th U.S. Colored Cavalry. During his war service, Brisbin attained the commissioned rank of captain and the brevet rank of major general of volunteers. After the war he remained in the regular army, aiding in the establishment of the Freedman's Bureau and in organizing the colored regiments. In 1868 he was stationed in the West. From 1868 until the time of his death in 1892, Brisbin served in the northwestern United States as an officer in several cavalry regiments, including the Second, Ninth, First, and Eighth regiments. During his western career, he was a staff officer, battalion or squadron commander, post commander, and regimental commander; and served at Fort D. A. Russell, Fort Pease on the Yellowstone River, Boise Barracks, Omaha Barracks, Camp Stambaugh, Fort Ellis, Fort Assiniboine, Fort Keogh, Fort Custer, Fort Niobrara, Fort Robinson, Fort McKinney, and finally at Fort Meade in South Dakota. At the time of his death Brisbin was a colonel in command of the Eighth Cavalry Regiment and was in command at Fort Meade. In 1882 Brisbin purchased a ranch on the Yellowstone River and was very interested in agriculture, land, and cattle ranching, for which he acquired the nickname "Grasshopper Jim". He was also a prolific writer. His most widely known works are The Beef Bonanza and Beldon, the White Chief. Brisbin was a very active publicist and drew heavily upon his experiences and observations in the West to promote the area and its resources. Throughout his career he was a constant contributor of articles and letters to Eastern periodicals on a wide range of subjects. On June 15, 1861 James Brisbin married Mary Jane Wagner. The Brisbin's had four children, John, Marguerita, Alfred, and Catherine. Brisbin's wife died at Fort McKinney in 1887. He married his second wife, Amelia Wilson, in 1891 in Red Wing, Minnesota. In the 1880s due to failing health Brisbin was transferred to the east and resided in Red Wing. He died January 14, 1892 in Philadelphia and was buried in Red Wing, Minnesota.

Before the war, Brisbin was a prominent anti-slavery orator. During the war he commanded the 5th U.S. Colored Cavalry.

Brisbin was born in Pennsylvania and enlisted in the 7th Pennsylvania Volunteers for the Civil War in 1861 and fought in the first battle of Bull Run. Following extended service in the Civil War, Brisbin was eventually promoted to Major in 1868 and assigned to the 2nd U.S. Cavalry to fight in the Indian wars in northwestern Kansas. After serving at Omaha in 1872-1874, Brisbin campaigned in the Indian wars in Montana with General Sheridan in 1875-1877. The rest of his career was spent in Montana or at Fort Robinson, Nebraska and he died in 1892 at the rank of general. Brisbin was also the author of several books on his military career and President James Garfield.