Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1880-08-18
In Memoriam
COLONEL. WILLIAM BRISBANE.
By Ckapla,n William Earnshau.

1860 are rapidly passing away. More
than 100000 shed their blood on the
field of confl,c. or died in our hospitals
and in the prisons Of the South, each
one of whom deserved carefully writ
ten tribute to the .nemcry of his deeds.
The hurry and shock Of war making
this impossible, We can only write them
down as our beroes of 500 battles in
defense of liberty aud the Union.
Those who have fingered and suffered
from wounds aud diseases through all
these intervening years, and have been
spared to realize the glorious results
of the struggle IN which they played so
prominent part, may, when they f.
nally succumb to the hand of death,
have more special mention by friends
and comrades in arms.
On the 9TH day of July last, Colon
ell William Brisbane died very peace
fully at the residence Of his friend Hon.
j. J. Taylor Oswego, N. Y, whittier
he had gone two weeks previous, ac-
accompanied by his excellent wife, on
the invitation of the above named gen.
tleman. He was born at Leuistown,
Pa. September IA, 1928, aud had the
misfortune to lose his father when only
few weeks old His mother then
moved to Carlisle, Pa, where he re-
sided, with the exception of the years
spent as a student at Princeton College
n. j. ln lS49 he went to California
in the service of the Government, re
manned there about tive years, return
ed East, and settled in the city of
Philadelphia. He then gave his asten-
ton to the study of medicine at one of
the colleges, and in time graduated as
an NJ. ID.
In 1855 he removed to Wilkesbarre,
Pa, where be successfully praclsed his
profession until the breaking out of the
War of the Rebellion. Immediately
upon the call Of President Lincoln for
rs, 600 men he raised full company,
was made its captain, aud marched to
the front. His company was attach
ed to the 9Th Regiment Pennsylvania
Volunteer Infantry, Colonel A. II.
Emily commanding. The regiment
served its full time of three months,
when Captain Brisbane was commiss-
ioned by Governor Curtin as Lieuten-
aut. Colonel of the 49th Regiment
Pennsy lvania volunteer Infantry.
From the day Colonel Brisbane as
sumed his new position, he inspired
with confidence every man in the regi-
ment. His soldierly bearing, his man
E department, and genial spirit on and
off duty, were the admiration of all,
and frequently the remark was made,
'-Colouel Brisbane is natural soldier
The writer remembers distinctly on the
occasion of a grand revle. at Flint
Hill, Va, the 49,h Regiment was pass
ing the reviewing officer General Nc
Clellan said peinting to Colonel B.,
'sThcre's a soldier"
The 49.h Regiment vas attached TO
General Hancock's brigade, General
Smiths division, and afterwards to the
9th Corps, and stood prominent among
the most distinguished regiments of the
volunteer army. having participated
from frs, to last in more than thirty
battles and heavy skirmishes. At
Yorktown, Va, 1t FIRST confronted the
armed enemies of our flag and country
Several scouts and skirmishes near
Lees Mills tested the fighting qualities
of the 10th. On the evacuation by
the enemy of their works on Sunday,
May 4, 1862, the entire army marched
IN pursuit and met them in line of bat
tie tine following morning at Williams
burg. History has faithfully recorded
the story of the battle Of Williamsburg
and has as faithfully tod of the magni-
fcent charge of the lst Brigade, COM
posed of the 5th Wisconsin, 9th Maine,
49th Pennsylvania, and 43d New York.
The writer is unable to command
language strong enough to express his
adn:irction of the conduct of the officers
and mec of the 49tb, but now having
the special duty of writing brief his
tory of one mem Der of that honored or
ganization, he may truthfully say that
Colonel Brisbane was in every sense
equal to the occasion, acquitting him
self with the GOODNESS and bravery Of
hero of score of battles. In the midst
of the fight be spoke encouraging and
even cheerful. words to his men, among
others. "Aim low boys" "Give them
the best you have IN the shop" He
bore full share of the hardships and
hcnors of the movements of the army
until it crossed the Chickahominy and
was encamped before Richmond. Here
he was severely attacked with malarial
fever, but, notwithstanding its ravages
upon his system, he declined for weeks
to be relieved from duty, and not until
his surgeon insisted upon his taking a
leave of absence did he, very reluctant
ly, turn his weary steps in the direction
of his mountain home. In two months
afterwards he rejoined his regiment i'm.
raediately following the second battle
of Bull Run, and marched with it
through Maryland, and commanded it
at Champions Gap and at the battle of
Antietam. 1t was his custom to 60 in
to an engagement wearing bis best uni
form, saying, as he frequently did, elf
l fall, [ desire to die in the uniform Of
my country" He was, indeed, noble
representative of the volunteer soldier
of the Republic.
His health still continuing feeble, be
resigned his commission and returned
TO bis home. Governor Curtin, unwill-
ing to lose the services Of so gallant
and competent an officer, commissioned
him Colonel and gave him command
of the Camp of Instruction at York, Pa, 4,
whers he equipped and drilled regiments
for the held. He was on this duty
when lee invaded Pennsylvania IN
June, 1868, was ordered to report at
Harrisburg, and there his old division
commander, General William f. Smith,
having charge of all the troops at that