Background
Erwin, James Brailsford was born on July 11, 1856 in Savannah, Georgia, United States. Son of Robert and Mary Ann (Gallaudet) Erwin.
Erwin, James Brailsford was born on July 11, 1856 in Savannah, Georgia, United States. Son of Robert and Mary Ann (Gallaudet) Erwin.
Student Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut, 1872-1875 (Bachelor of Science, 1917). Graduated from the United States Military Academy, 1880. Honorary graduate Infantry and Cavalry School, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, 1883.
Commissioned Second lieutenant 4th Cavalry, June 12, 1880. Promoted through grades to brigadier general, North.A., August 20, 1917. Participated in Indian campaigns, 1885-1886.
Superintendent Yellowstone National Park, 1897-1898.
In Philippine Islands, 1898-1903; in charge relief work, Oakland, California, after San Francisco earthquake, 1906. Adjutant general, September 1915-August 1916.
Commanding 9th Cavalry, August 19-December 27, 1916. Commanding 7th Cavalry, December 27, 1916-August 1917, and in punitive expedition in Mexico.
Commanding 157th Depot Brigade, Camp Gordon, Georgia, August 25-November 16, 1917.
Commanding 82d Division, November 17-December 27, 1917. Assigned to 12th Brigade. 6th Division, December 27, 1917.
Commanding United States troops, Fort Oglethorpe and Chickamauga Park, Georgia, and 6th (regular) Division, December 28, 1917.
Commanded 6th Division, American Expeditionary Force, France, until September 1918. Commanded 12th Brigade, 6th Division, until December 15, 1918, taking part in two major offensives.
Commanded 92d Division, December 15, 1918, to its demobilization, February 1919. Commanded El Paso District, March 27-September 1, 1919, and ordered troops across boundary, attacking Villistas to protect lives and property of citizens of El Paso, June 15-16, 1919.
Remanded to regular rank of colonel of cavalry and assigned to 6th Cavalry, September 7, 1919.
Mason.
Married Isabel Doan, June 27, 1883.