General Ambrose Everett Burnside served his country as both an officer and politician. He was popular but had a few controversial disagreements. In fact, he was so well-liked by his peers and the public that the term side burns was named after him for his signature mutton-chop side whiskers style. Most historians agree that Burnside was a talented politician. However, there are mixed opinions on Burnside's skills as a military commander.
General Burnside's Early Military Career
Ambrose Everett Burnside was born in Liberty, Indiana on May 23, 1824. Early in life, he expressed an interest in a military career. He went on to graduate from the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, New York in 1847. After graduation from West Point, he was commissioned to serve on garrison duty in Mexico for six years.
Burnside resigned his commission in 1853 and set up a factory that manufactured a type of breech-loading rifle that he designed himself. The business did not thrive so he was more than ready to rejoin military life.
Burnside's Service in the American Civil War
When the American Civil War began in 1861, Burnside immediately began mobilizing men to fight for the Union cause. He raised the 1st Rhode Island Infantry and then commanded a brigade in the first Battle of Bull Run.
After the capture of Roanoke Island, Burnside was promoted to major general and took command of a corps in the Army of the Potomac in January 1862. He then served in the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. At Antietam, Burnside was in command of Major General George B. McClellan's left wing and launched a number of unsuccessful attacks across a bridge.
President Abraham Lincoln chose Burnside to replace McClellan as the army commander largely because he was well-liked by his peers and more popular than the other candidate, General Joseph Hooker. Yet, the job soon proved too much for his level of military command skill. He suffered a humiliating defeat at Fredericksburg in December 1862. President Lincoln relieved Burnside of his command. Lincoln replaced Burnside with the alternate candidate, Hooker, in January 1863.
Burnside was then transferred to Cincinnati, where he had a controversial disagreement. Burnside accused Clement L. Vallandigham of disloyal speech. The accusation led to Vallandigham's arrest and court martial.
In 1864, Burnside led IX Corps under General Ulysses S. Grant in the Wilderness and Petersburg campaigns. When Burnside was reprimanded for improperly handling the Crater battle and for the failure of the Burnside Mine at Petersburg, he resigned his commission.
Burnside's Political Career
After a career in the army, Burnside decided to go into politics. He became the governor of Rhode Island in 1866. A popular governor, he served three terms. After Burnside finished his third term as governor, he was elected to serve as a Republican Congressman in 1875. He served the U.S. Congress until his death on September 13, 1881.
Source:
Holmes, Richard (editor), The Oxford Companion To Military History, Oxford University Press 2001
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