James Sanks Brisbin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Sanks Brisbin
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James Sanks Brisbin
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| Born | May 23, 1837 Boalsburg, Pennsylvania |
| Died | January 14, 1892 (aged 54) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania] |
| Place of burial | |
| Allegiance |  United States of AmericaUnion |
| Service/ |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1892 |
| Rank |  Brigadier General Brevet Major General |
| Commands held | 5th United States Colored Cavalry |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
James Sanks Brisbin (born May 23, 1837 – died January 14, 1892) was an American educator, lawyer, historian, author, and soldier. He was a Union Army general during the American Civil War. After the war, he stayed in the military for the rest of his life. He also wrote many books on different topics.
Contents
Early Life and Career
James Brisbin was born in 1837 in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania. His parents were Margaret and Ezra Brisbin. He went to the Boalsburg Academy. After finishing school, Brisbin became a teacher.
Later, he bought and edited a newspaper called Centre Democrat in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. He also studied law and became a lawyer in Pennsylvania. Brisbin was well-known for speaking out against slavery.
Civil War Service
When the American Civil War began in 1861, Brisbin was working as a lawyer. He joined the Pennsylvania volunteer army in April that year. On April 26, he became a second lieutenant in the 2nd U.S. Dragoons, a cavalry unit.
He fought in the First Battle of Bull Run on July 21, near Manassas, Virginia. In this battle, Brisbin was wounded twice, once in his side and once in his arm. His commanders praised him for his bravery.
On August 3, 1861, Brisbin moved to the 1st U.S. Cavalry. Two days later, he became a captain in the 6th U.S. Cavalry. On June 9, 1862, he fought near Beverly Ford, Virginia. He was wounded again when he fell off his horse. One year later, he was given the honorary rank of major for his actions at Beverly Ford.
In 1863, he briefly led cavalry forces in the Federal Department of the Susquehanna. He was wounded in the leg during a fight near Greenbrier, Virginia, on July 26.
Brisbin was promoted to colonel on March 1, 1864. He helped create the 5th United States Colored Cavalry. This was a unit made up of African American soldiers. He also served as the acting head of cavalry for General Albert L. Lee during the Red River campaign. He was wounded again on April 8 during the Battle of Mansfield in Louisiana. This time, he was hit in his right foot.
On December 12, 1864, Brisbin received the honorary rank of brigadier general in the Union Army. Seven days later, he was given the honorary rank of lieutenant colonel in the regular army. This was for his actions at the Battle of Marion in Tennessee.
In 1865, he was helping with recruiting soldiers in Kentucky. On March 13, Brisbin received two more honorary ranks: colonel in the regular army and major general in the Union Army. On May 1, he was promoted to brigadier general. Brisbin left the Union Army as a volunteer on January 15, 1866.
Life After the War
After the Civil War, Brisbin stayed in the regular army. He helped set up other colored regiments. He served as an officer in several cavalry regiments in the American West from 1868 to 1892. These included the Second, Ninth, First, and Eighth regiments.
Brisbin was in command of the 2nd Cavalry during the Little Big Horn campaign. He offered four companies of his cavalry to General George Armstrong Custer. This was before Custer's final march into the Big Horn valley. However, Custer said no, believing his 7th Cavalry could win alone. Brisbin never forgave Custer for this decision. Brisbin often wrote letters criticizing Custer's actions.
Brisbin also wrote a popular book called "Beef Bonanza." This book encouraged people to invest in raising cattle on the open plains. When he died, he was a colonel in command of the Eighth Cavalry Regiment at Fort Meade.
Brisbin passed away on January 14, 1892, in Philadelphia. He was buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Red Wing, Minnesota.
Personal Life and Writings
Brisbin married Mary Jane Wagner on June 15, 1861. They had four children together. His wife died in 1887. In 1891, he married Amelia Wilson in Red Wing, Minnesota.
He was also a very active writer. He wrote articles and letters for newspapers and magazines throughout his career. He was known for his writings about the Army Indian Wars, the American West, and Montana Territory.
Selected Books by Brisbin
- The Campaign Lives of Ulysses S. Grant and Schuyler Colfax (1869)
- Beldon, the White Chief (1870)
- The Beef Bonanza, or How to Get Rich on the Plains (1881)
- Brisbin's Stories of the Plains (1881)
- Life of President Garfield (1881)
- From the Tow-Path to the White House (1881)
- Trees and Tree Planting (1888)
Images for kids
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James Sanks Brisbin
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Brisbin in later life
