The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Sanborn, John Benjamin

SANBORN, John Benjamin, American military officer: b. Epsom, N. H., 5 Dec. 1826; d. 1904. He was educated at Dartmouth College, studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1854, and in that year removed to Saint Paul, Minn., where he engaged in law practice. At the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861 he was adjutant-general and quartermaster-general of Minnesota and assisted in the organization of the troops sent to the front. In 1862 he went to the front with the rank of colonel. He commanded a brigade at Iuka, was engaged at Corinth, Port Gibson, Raymond, Jackson, Champion Hills, and at the siege and assault of Vicksburg. He had been commissioned brigadier-general of volunteers in 1863, and in October 1864 took command of the district of southwest Missouri. He bore the unique record of never having been defeated in action and with the exception of the assault of Vicksburg, never failed of complete success. He conducted a campaign against the Indians in 1865, amicably adjusted the Indian difficulties the next year, and in 1867-68 was a member of the Indian Peace Commission. He served in the Minnesota legislature for several terms.