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James Sanks Brisbin papers
- Publication Year :
- 2023
-
Abstract
- James Brisbin, a Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, native, served as an Army officer in the Civil War and the Indian Wars, 1868-1891. He was stationed at Fort Ellis, Fort Assiniboine, Fort Custer, Montana Territory, and many other western forts. Brisbin was also a writer and publicist. The collection contains a small amount of correspondence (1860-1890), and writings (1850-1891) concerning the Army, the Indian Wars, the West, and Montana Territory.<br />This collection consists almost exclusively of drafts and copies of James S. Brisbin's writings. These writings generally focus on his army career, the Plains Indian and the Indian Wars, and other facets of his experiences in the Northwest. Also included are articles and handwritten copies of letters to newspapers on a wide variety of topics. The collection also contains a small amount of correspondence, including Civil War era letters, family letters and correspondence on Brisbin's military career in the West. A portion of this collection has been microfilmed (Microfilm 328). (Manuscript Collection 39).
- Subjects :
- Crow Indians Montana.
Dakota Indians Wars, 1862-1865.
Federal aid to Indians United States.
Frontier and pioneer life West (U.S.)
Indian agents West (U.S.)
Indians of North American Great Plains.
Mines and mineral resources Montana Fergus County.
Steamboats Missouri River.
Cattle raising Montana.
Crow Montana.
Dakota Guerres, 1862-1865.
Aide de l'État aux Peuples autochtones États-Unis.
Bateaux à vapeur Missouri (Rivière)
Armed Forces Military life.
Armed Forces Officers.
Crow Indians.
Dakota Indians.
Federal aid to Indians.
Frontier and pioneer life.
Indian agents.
Manners and customs.
Mines and mineral resources.
Steamboats.
United States Personal narratives. History Civil War, 1861-1865
West (U.S.) Social life and customs.
États-Unis Récits personnels. Histoire 1861-1865 (Guerre de Sécession)
Great Plains.
Missouri River.
Montana.
Montana Fergus County.
United States.
West United States.
Subjects
Details
- Database :
- OAIster
- Notes :
- Kathryn K. Power, Philadelphia, PA., 1957, 1964; AC1964-8., Madison County Board of County Commissioners, 1972, William Bertsche, Great Falls MT; 1976., 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.
- Accession number :
- edsoai.ocm70960057