James Sanks Brisbin James Sanks Brisbin ( May 23 , 1837 – January 14 , 1892 ) was an American educator , lawyer , and soldier . He served as a Union Army general during the American Civil War . After the conflict he remained in the military for the rest of his life , and authored several works on a variety of subjects . Early life and career . Brisbin was born in 1837 at Boalsburg , Pennsylvania , a son of Margaret and Ezra Brisbin . He studied at the Boalsburg Academy , and upon graduating Brisbin began teaching . He later purchased and edited the " Centre Democrat " newspaper in Bellefonte , Pennsylvania , and also studied law and was later admitted to the bar of Pennsylvania . Brisbin was prominently known as an anti - slavery orator . Civil War service . When the American Civil War began in 1861 , Brisbin was a lawyer in practice . He enlisted in the Pennsylvania volunteer services that April as a private . On April 26 , he was appointed a second lieutenant in the mounted 2nd U . S . Dragoons . He fought in the First Battle of Bull Run near Manassas , Virginia , on July 21 . In this battle , Brisbin received two wounds , one in his side and the other in an arm , and was praised by his superiors for his performance during the fight . On August 3 , 1861 , Brisbin transferred to the 1st U . S . Cavalry ( previously known as the 1st Dragoons until a reorganization of the army ) but then was appointed a captain in the 6th U . S . Cavalry two days later . On June 9 , 1862 , he fought during the action near Beverly Ford , Virginia , and was again wounded when he fell off of his horse . Exactly one year later Brisbin was brevetted to the rank of major for his conduct at Beverly Ford . In 1863 he very briefly led the cavalry forces in the Federal Department of the Susquehanna , and was wounded in a leg during combat near Greenbrier , Virginia , on July 26 . Brisbin was promoted to colonel on March 1 , 1864 , and organized the 5th United States Colored Cavalry . He served as the acting head of cavalry on the staff of Brig . Gen . Albert L . Lee during the Red River Campaign , and was again wounded during the Battle of Mansfield in Louisiana on April 8 , this time in the right foot . On December 12 , 1864 , Brisbin was brevetted to brigadier general in the Union Army , and seven days later was appointed a brevet lieutenant colonel in the regular army for his performance at Battle of Marion in Tennessee . In 1865 , he was on recruiting duty in Kentucky , serving on the staff of Maj . Gen . Stephen G . Burbridge . On March 13 , Brisbin was brevetted to colonel in the regular army as well as brevetted major general in the Union Army , and on May 1 he was promoted to brigadier general . Brisbin was mustered out of the Union Army as a volunteer on January 15 , 1866 . Postbellum . After the war , Brisbin remained in the regular army , aiding in the establishment of other colored regiments and served in the Northwestern United States as an officer in several cavalry regiments . From 1868 – 92 , he served as an officer in several cavalry regiments , including the Second , Ninth , First , and Eighth regiments in the Northwestern United States . Brisbin was in command of the 2nd Cavalry of General John Gibbon ' s Montana Column at the time of the Little Big Horn campaign . Brisbin offered his 2nd Cavalry to Custer at the final command meeting of Generals Terry , Gibbon , and Custer just prior to the final march into the Big Horn valley , but Custer declined it , stating that the 7th Cavalry alone could defeat the hostiles . Brisbin never forgave Custer for this , and is alleged to have called the dead Custer an " insufferable ass " . In various correspondence ( see Graham " The Custer Myth " , Philbrick , " The Last Stand " ) Brisbin was openly critical of Custer ' s actions - whether or not because of personal jealousy cannot be determined . Brisbin also penned the then - bestselling " Beef Bonzana " which urged investment in Open Range Cattle . At the time of his death he was a colonel in command of the Eighth Cavalry Regiment and was in command at Fort Meade . Brisbin died on January 14 , 1892 in Philadelphia . He was buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Red Wing , Minnesota . Personal life . Brisbin married Mary Jane Wagner on June 15 , 1861 . They had four children . His wife died at Fort McKinney in 1887 . In 1891 he married Amelia Wilson in Red Wing , Minnesota . He was also a prolific writer , and contributed articles and letters to Eastern periodicals on many subjects throughout his career . He was known for his works on the Army Indian Wars , the West and Montana Territory .