Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography/Brisbin, James Sanks

BRISBIN, James Sanks, soldier, b. in Boalsburg. Pa.. 23 May, 1837; d. in Philadelphia, 14 Jan., 1892. He became known as an anti-slavery orator, and at the beginning of the civil war enlisted as a private in a Pennsylvania regiment, and in April, 1861, he was appointed second lieutenant of the 1st dragoons. At the battle of Bull Run, 21 July, 1861, he was twice wounded. He was promoted captain in the 6th cavalry, 5 Aug., served with his regiment in the peninsular campaign of the army of the Potomac (1862), and, under Gen. Alfred Pleasanton, accompanied the expedition to the Blue Ridge mountains in 1863. He was appointed colonel of the 5th U. S. colored cavalry, 1 March, 1864, and was engaged in the Red river expedition in the department of the Gulf in April and May, 1864. Later in the same year he was on recruiting service in Kentucky, and chief of staff to Gen. Burbridge. He was brevetted brigadier-general of volunteers, 13 March, 1865, for gallant conduct at the battle of Marion, Va., 16-19 Dec, 1864, and was promoted to the full rank of brigadier-general of volunteers, 1 May, 1865. He received the brevet of major-general of volunteers, 15 Dec, 1865. In the mean time he had received brevets of major and lieutenant-colonel in the regular service for gallantry at Beverly Ford, 9 June, 1863, and at Marion, Va. He was brevetted colonel in the regular army, 13 March, 1865, for "meritorious services during the war." He was transferred to the 9th U. S. colored cavalry in July, 1866, and was promoted major. 2d cavalry, 1 Jan., 1868, and lieutenant-colonel, 9th cavalry, 6 June, 1885.