James Sanks Brisbin

James Sanks Brisbin (May 23, 1837 – January 14, 1892) was an American educator, lawyer, historian, and author who served as a Union Army general during the American Civil War. After the conflict he remained in the military for the rest of his life, and authored several works on a variety of subjects.

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

Personal life 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.

Selected literary works 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)