The American Civil War: Ambrose Everett Burnside (1824-1881)
Edited by: Robert Guisepi
2002
Ambrose Everett Burnside, though often criticized for his tenure as commander of the Army of the Potomac, faced unique challenges and exhibited a mix of success and failure throughout his military career. Notably, Burnside had twice declined the post of Army commander, acknowledging his lack of experience, before reluctantly accepting the role at the urging of others.
Born in Indiana, Burnside graduated from West Point in 1847 and served six years in the regular artillery, including garrison duty in Mexico and sustaining a wound in a 1849 Apache skirmish in New Mexico Territory. After resigning from the military in 1853, he attempted to manufacture a breech-loading carbine, but struggled financially and eventually had to assign the patent to creditors. During this period, he was also a major general in the state militia.
When the Civil War broke out, Burnside raised a regiment and quickly rose through the ranks. His assignments included: colonel of the 1st Rhode Island (May 2, 1861); commanding 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, Army of Northeastern Virginia (June-July 1861); brigadier general, U.S.V. (August 6, 1861); commanding the North Carolina Expeditionary Corps (December 1861-April 1862); major general, U.S.V. (March 18, 1862); and various commands including the 9th Corps, Army of the Potomac, and the Department of the Ohio.
Burnside achieved early success at Roanoke Island and New Bern, earning a second star. After McClellan's failure on the Peninsula, Burnside declined command of the main Union army. He fought at the battles of South Mountain and Antietam, where his two corps were stationed on opposite ends of the Union line. His slow response at the Stone Bridge at Antietam delayed a Union breakthrough and allowed Confederate reinforcements to contain the advance.
Despite the setbacks, Burnside was assigned to command the Army of the Potomac after McClellan's removal. His rapid advance toward Fredericksburg was followed by delays, allowing General Robert E. Lee's forces to repulse Union attacks. After the failure, Burnside took full responsibility, offering to retire, but President Lincoln refused. The disastrous "Mud March" in January 1863 further undermined his position, and Burnside offered to resign, which Lincoln accepted.
Burnside's next significant role came in the Department of the Ohio, where he dealt with Copperhead sympathizers and Confederate raiders. He earned the Thanks of Congress for his defense at Knoxville, where he was besieged by Confederate General James Longstreet until relieved by Sherman. He then returned to Virginia to fight under General Ulysses S. Grant during the Overland Campaign but faced further struggles at battles like the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, and Cold Harbor.
His failure at the Battle of the Crater, where he mishandled the aftermath of a mine explosion at Petersburg, led to his being sent on leave and ultimately to his resignation on April 15, 1865.
After his resignation, Burnside served in various business and industrial roles, including railroad and manufacturing directorships. He was elected governor of Rhode Island three times (1866, 1867, 1868) and later served as a U.S. Senator until his death on September 13, 1881, in Bristol, Rhode Island. Burnside was also the origin of the term "sideburns," reflecting his distinctive facial hair style.
(Sources: Poore, B.P., The Life and Public Services of Ambrose E. Burnside; Woodbury, Augustus, Major General Ambrose E. Burnside and the Ninth Army Corps)
