Description
James Sanks Brisbin was born at Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, May 23, 1837. Upon completion of his schooling, he purchased and edited the Centre Democrat, at Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, studied law and passed 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.
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