James Barnet Fry

James Barnet Fry ( February 22, 1827 - July 11, 1894 ) was an American soldier and prolific author of historical books.

Biography
He was born in Carrollton, Illinois. He graduated from West Point in 1847 and served for a time as assistant instructor of artillery there, in the fall going to Mexico to serve under General Scott in the Mexican-American War. He was stationed successively in Oregon, Louisiana, and Texas, and at West Point in 1853–54. He was adjutant of the Academy from 1854 to 1859. In 1861 he acted as chief of staff to General Irvin McDowell in the American Civil War, and in 1862 held a similar position under Don Carlos Buell. He served as the last provost marshal general of the United States from 1863 to 1866, when this office was abolished at the close of the war. Subsequently, he served as adjutant general and was successively brevetted colonel, brigadier general, and major general in the Regular Army.

He retired in 1881 to devote his time to writing military histories.

Published works

 * Final Report of the Operations of the Bureau of the Provost-Marshal-General in 1863-1866 This was issued as a congressional document (2 parts, Washington, 1866).
 * A Sketch of the Adjutant-General's Department, United States Army, from 1775 to 1875 (1875)
 * History and Legal Effects of Brevets in the Armies of Great Britain and the United States, from their Origin in 1692 to the Present Time (1877)
 * Army Sacrifices (1879)
 * Operations of the Army under Buell (1884)
 * McDowell and Tyler in the Campaign of Bull Run (1884)
 * New York and Conscription (1885)
 * Military Miscellanies (1893)
 * The Conkling and Blaine-Fry Controversy (1893)