Abstract

James Brisbin, a Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, native, served as an Army officer in the Civil War and the Indian Wars, 1868-1891. He was stationed at Fort Ellis, Fort Assiniboine, Fort Custer, Montana Territory, and many other western forts. Brisbin was also a writer and publicist. The collection contains a small amount of correspondence (1860-1890), and writings (1850-1891) concerning the Army, the Indian Wars, the West, and Montana Territory.

Abstract Established by the United States Army in 1879, Fort Assinniboine served to secure the Canadian border, and enforce a policy of intimidation and containment of the Native American nations. Over its 32 years as a military post, many hundreds of soldiers garrisoned there, including African American companies from the 24th and 25th Infantries and the 10th Cavalry. Records (1879-1906) include incoming correspondence regarding the Riel Rebellion, Canadian Indians, and other topics regarding the...

Abstract

Martin Maginnis (1841-1919) was a Democratic Montana Territorial Delegate to Congress from 1872 to 1882; a member of the 1889 Montana Constitutional Convention; and newspaper publisher. Papers (1864-1912) consist primarily of incoming correspondence concerning politics; and outgoing correspondence, court papers, legal documents, and a scrapbook. Incoming correspondence includes typescript copies.