University of Wyoming
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.
Collection contains 2 items on Brisbin family genealogy; an 1868 letter from Brisbin to his wife Jane near Fort McPherson, Nebraska; an 1877 letter to Jane near the Yellowstone River in eastern Montana; a photocopy of his military record; and an 1892 obituary. Transcripts are available for Brisbin's letters of 1868 and 1877, and the genealogy materials.
There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.
The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.
The James S. Brisbin letter to S.H.H. Clark, 1876 is in the Western Americana Collection, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library; Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520.
The James S. Brisbin letters to Jane his wife, 1863-1865 are at the Special Collections Department; University of Iowa Libraries, Iowa City, IA 52242.
Finding aid available in repository.
Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Collection Name, Collection Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.