December 13-15, 2022 Collectible Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/14/2022
Excellent example of a war-dated Army commission for Captain James S. Brisbin that is signed by 16th US President Abraham Lincoln. The commission was signed on August 5, 1861 and commissions Brisbin as a Captain in the 3rd US Cavalry. James Sanks Brisbin was born in 1837 at Boalsburg, Pennsylvania and was a lawyer when the Civil War commenced. He enlisted in the Pennsylvania volunteer services that April as a private. On April 26, he was appointed as a second lieutenant in the 2nd US Dragoons and fought in the First Battle of Bull Run on July 21. During the battle, Brisbin received 2 wounds, 1 in his side and the other in an arm, and was praised by his superiors for his performance during the fight. He is listed in the records as part of the 3rd Cavalry during August 1861 and would continue his flourishing military career. Brisbin was later transferred to the 1st US Cavalry but was then appointed captain in the 6th US Cavalry 2 days later. On June 9, 1862, he fought during the action near Beverly Ford and was wounded again when he fell off of his horse. Exactly 1 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. Brisbin was promoted to colonel on March 1, 1864, and organized the 5th United States Colored Cavalry later serving as the acting head of cavalry on the staff of General Albert L. Lee during the Red River Campaign, and was wounded in the right foot during the Battle of Mansfield in Louisiana on April 8. On December 12, 1864, Brisbin was brevetted to brigadier general in the Union Army, and 7 days later was appointed a brevet lieutenant colonel in the regular army for his performance at Battle of Marion in Tennessee. 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. He mustered out of the Army as a volunteer on January 15, 1866, after a short, but impressible time in the Army. The commission is framed with a copy of a photo of Abraham Lincoln, as well as a small copy of the 1890 lithograph by Kurz and Allison. CONDITION: The document exhibits scattered blemishes including creases, as it was once folded. Ink exhibits fading and is difficult to read in some areas. Frame exhibits scattered blemishes including handling wear but is ready to hang. Lincoln signed the commission with a dip pen and the document is accompanied by a James Spence Authentication Full Letter of Authenticity.
Item Dimensions: 28 - 1/2" x 23"
Paperwork
JSA Letter of Authenticity