Brisbin, James S. (James Sanks) (1837-1892) to Jane Brisbin
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01505.04 Author/Creator: Brisbin, James S. (James Sanks) (1837-1892) Place Written: New Orleans, Louisiana Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 4 March 1864 Pagination: 4 p. ; 25 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
Informs Jane, his wife, that he is in great distress due to the fact that he has not received a letter from her in over a month. States "It is now a Month since I stood on the back platform of the car at Milesbury and saw your sweet form vanish from my sight ... it seemed after you were gone as if I had left the world and when I met the snow shoe Cars I could hardly help going back on them ... You are young and sometimes foolish but what you do is done in the innocence of your heart I know you would not wrong your poor husband for the world." Promises to send money, and instructs Jane to purchase a bonnet and summer dress. Continues writing on 5 March 1864, stating that his regiment received marching orders and will depart on 6 March 1864 with General Banks (possibly Nathaniel Prentiss Banks). Likely preparing for the Red River campaign which lasted from 10 March to 22 May 1864.
Brisbin enlisted in the military as a private in 1861, advanced quickly in rank, and was brevetted numerous times for his bravery and meritorious service. He served in the campaign of the Army of the Potomac (1862), the Red River expedition (1864), as a recruiter in Lexington, Kentucky (1864), and as Chief of Staff to General Stephen Gano Burbridge (1864). Brisbin is noted for his leadership of the 6th United States Colored Troops Cavalry (1864) and for his recruitment of many African American soldiers. He received an appointment in 1865 as Major General, United States Volunteers.
4 March 1864, New Orleans
Dear Little Wife
I am now able after days of silence to write you again. A steamer will leave here for the North tomorrow, so mails go from here to the North except on Wednesdays and Saturdays and sometimes not then. I am in great distress about you. I have not had a line from you since I left you . What can the matter be? I have letters from the South but none from you. Oh, if I could only get a line even it would seem as if you were with me. It is now a Month since I stood on the back platform of the car at Milesbury and saw your sweet form vanish from my sight. Oh my wife, if you could have known my thoughts as the car rolled away you would have pitied me and yet thanked you for such a husband and such a heart. It seemed after you were gone as if I had left the world and when I met the snow shoe Cars I could hardly help going back on them. The world was empty and my heart sank down in my breast like a ball of lead. Did ever a man love a woman as I love you? When I am with you you sometimes grieve me but it seems as if it only made you dearer to me. I know how good your heart is and how it loves me. I am so proud of your affection. You are young and sometimes foolish but what you do is done in the innocence of your heart I know you would not wrong your poor husband for the world. I know how devoted you are. Oh my wife, I am so glad. I can now trust you implicitly. You are faithful and beautiful and but few beautiful wives are faithful. They are so flattered their heads generally get turned, but your little head I think is not easily turned. It is only the neglected wives who are untrue and God knows I have never neglected my wife. How could I neglect such a woman? For as God is my witness, I have never seen any woman with as sweet a face and form as you. At least, I think so. But I need not make love to you. You know how I love and admire you. Now if you only have me a child then our happiness will be complete. The longer I am away and the further I am away from you the more I love you. Day & night I think of you and oh how many times have I wept to be with you since I came here, but let us keep up brave hearts and pray to God to soon bring us together and make us happy. I will do my duty and God I know in the end will bless us and prosper us and make us happy. Let us try to be good and to merit God's blessing. Never in my life before have I thought so much of you. Never have I loved you as at this hour, dear, dear wife. Oh! My sweet wife, my poor heart is bursting with affection. I am far away yet I am happy when I think that I have such a wife anywhere in the world. Do not fret. Trust in God. Be patient and all will end well. I send you $10 I will send $10 more in my next letter. I do not like to send much at once, lest the letter get lost. If you need more money than I send you borrow. I will gladly pay it. Do you not want some summer dresses and a bonnet? Write me how much money you would like to have. Do not fear to ask for all you want. You shall have it. Just as much as you want. I would give my little finger to see you now. Yes, I believe if any one would say you can see Jane if you cut your arm off, I would say off with it! But I shall go wild if I think more of you now. I will add a line in the morning. Farewell and many God almighty bless and protect you. Keep you from harm and keep you true to your
Affection & devoted Jim
Saturday March 5th, 10 AM
We have marching orders. We will leave tomorrow or the next day at 10 o'clock. The Army is in motion. It has been moving for several days. Gen. Banks and all of us go. We expect a very active campaign. God grant my life may be spared. Oh, I hope on God's name I will hear from you before I start. Dear, dear wife, how hard it is to be patient with those we love. I know you have written many letters since I left yet, I have not got one. I go forth to battle trusting in God and my wife I know you will pray for me. I know you will be true and I know you will think of me every hour. God will protect me and bring me home safe back to your sweet arms. Oh, my wife! I never knew till now how dear you were tome. I kiss this paper. You kiss it. God bless you dearest and best of women.
Jim
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