Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Brisbin, James S. (James Sanks) (1837-1892) to Ulysses S. Grant

High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01504.02.15 Author/Creator: Brisbin, James S. (James Sanks) (1837-1892) Place Written: Lexington, Kentucky Type: Typed letter Date: 22 December 1867 Pagination: 2 p. ; 26.3 x 20.2 cm. Order a Copy

Typed and signed as a true copy by Albert L. Mills as First Lieutenant and Adjutant First Cavalry. Captain James S. Brisbin informs General Grant, Secretary of War and Interior, that he has "not received the Brevets in the Regular Army generally conferred on regular officers, who held like rank in Volunteers during the late War." Recounts a list of the Generals he served under, engagements he participated in, and regiments he led. Stresses that he organized many colored regiments at a time when soldiers were desperately needed. States "a bill has been offered in Congress, which, if passed, will prevent justice being done me in the future." These typewritten copies date to circa 1887-1891 based on Mill's rank and assignment at the time.

Mills, Albert L., 1854-1916
Brisbin, James S. (James Sanks),1837-1892
Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885
Brisbin, James S. (James Sanks),1837-1892

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources