Ambrose Burnside: The General, The Whiskers, The Legacy
Ambrose Burnside is a name that resonates deeply within the annals of American history, particularly for anyone delving into the complexities of the Civil War era. While often remembered for his distinctive facial hair and certain prominent military setbacks, his life was far more multifaceted, encompassing roles as an inventor, a railroad executive, and a dedicated politician. From his humble beginnings in Indiana to his pivotal, albeit often controversial, command roles in the Union Army, and ultimately to his post-war service as a governor and senator for Rhode Island, Ambrose Burnside's journey offers a compelling study of ambition, challenge, and enduring impact.
This article aims to provide a comprehensive look at Ambrose Everett Burnside, exploring not only the well-known aspects of his military career—including his command of the Army of the Potomac and the IX Corps—but also his lesser-known achievements, his personal life, and his lasting legacy. We will delve into the triumphs, the significant failures that shaped his reputation, and the controversies that often surrounded him, painting a complete picture of a man whose life was intricately woven into the fabric of 19th-century America.
Biography of Ambrose Burnside
Ambrose Everett Burnside was born on May 23, 1824, near Liberty, Indiana. His early life was marked by financial struggles, a common theme for many families in the burgeoning American frontier. Despite these challenges, the tall Hoosier possessed an innate drive that would propel him through a diverse and impactful career. His journey began with an appointment to the prestigious U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, which he attended from 1843 to 1847. He graduated near the middle of his class in 1847, commissioned as a brevet 2nd lieutenant of artillery, and served in the 2nd U.S. Artillery. This foundational military education laid the groundwork for his future roles, both on and off the battlefield.
After serving his commission until 1853, Burnside resigned from the military. For the next five years, he ventured into the world of invention and business, a period that showcased his innovative spirit. It was during this time that he developed a breech-loading rifle, a significant contribution to firearms technology, though financial difficulties plagued his manufacturing endeavors. His personal life also saw a significant development during this period, as he married Mary Bishop in 1852, a partnership that would last throughout his life.
The outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861 called Burnside back to military service, where he quickly rose through the ranks of the Union Army. He commanded the Army of the Potomac and the IX Corps, experiencing both substantial successes and devastating defeats. His military record was indeed mixed; while he achieved notable victories in Carolina and Tennessee, his name became inextricably linked with the catastrophic losses at the Battle of Fredericksburg and the ill-fated Crater assault during the Siege of Petersburg. These events, particularly Fredericksburg, cemented a reputation for incompetence in the eyes of many, leading to his eventual relief from command after the Battle of the Crater in 1864.
Beyond his military career, Ambrose Burnside was a prominent figure in American politics. He served as a United States Senator and Governor of Rhode Island, demonstrating a continued commitment to public service even after the war's conclusion. His later life was spent in Bristol, Rhode Island, where he passed away on September 13, 1881. His legacy is complex, a blend of military innovation, political leadership, and strategic blunders, all underpinned by a distinctive personal style that famously gave rise to the term "sideburns," a testament to his unique facial hair.
Personal Data: Ambrose Everett Burnside
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ambrose Everett Burnside |
| Born | May 23, 1824, near Liberty, Indiana |
| Died | September 13, 1881, Bristol, Rhode Island |
| Spouse | Mary Bishop (married 1852) |
| Education | U.S. Military Academy at West Point (Class of 1847) |
| Military Service | Union General, American Civil War; commanded Army of the Potomac, IX Corps |
| Notable Roles | U.S. Military Officer, Inventor, Railroad Executive, Governor of Rhode Island, U.S. Senator from Rhode Island |
| Known For | His inventions, his whiskers (sideburns), decisive defeat at Fredericksburg, unsuccessful Crater attack. |
| Origin | Born in a family of Scottish origin in Indiana |
Early Life and Military Beginnings
Born into a family of Scottish origin in Liberty, Indiana, Ambrose Everett Burnside's early years were characterized by a constant struggle with financial hardship. This early exposure to economic challenges likely instilled in him a resilience and determination that would serve him throughout his varied career. Despite the scarcity of money, his intellect and ambition were recognized, leading to his acceptance into the prestigious United States Military Academy at West Point. Attending from 1843 to 1847, Burnside immersed himself in military discipline and strategy, graduating in 1847.
Upon graduation, he was commissioned as a brevet 2nd lieutenant of artillery and served with the 2nd U.S. Artillery. His initial military career involved duty in the West, including service during the Mexican-American War, though he did not see significant combat. This period provided him with practical experience in military operations and logistics, even if it wasn't on the grand scale of the conflict that would later define his life. In 1853, after six years of service, Burnside made the decision to resign his commission. This was a pivotal moment, as he sought to apply his ingenuity and drive in the private sector, specifically in the field of invention.
During this interim period, Burnside focused on developing his own breech-loading rifle. This invention showcased his forward-thinking approach to military technology. While the design was promising and demonstrated significant improvements over existing firearms, the venture ultimately faced financial difficulties, leading to the collapse of his manufacturing efforts. This early failure in business, though disheartening, provided valuable lessons in entrepreneurship and the challenges of bringing innovative ideas to market. It also highlights a recurring theme in Burnside's life: periods of great promise often followed by unforeseen setbacks. His marriage to Mary Bishop in 1852 marked a personal milestone, establishing a stable foundation amidst his professional pursuits. Before the Civil War erupted, he also briefly served as a railroad executive, further diversifying his experience beyond the military.
The Rise of a General: Early Civil War Successes
When the American Civil War commenced, Ambrose Burnside's military background and experience made him a natural fit for leadership in the Union Army. He quickly re-entered service and distinguished himself in the early stages of the conflict. His initial commands were marked by substantial success, particularly in the coastal operations of North Carolina. In 1862, he led the "Burnside Expedition," a series of amphibious assaults that captured Roanoke Island and New Bern, North Carolina. These victories were crucial for the Union, providing strategic footholds along the Confederate coast and boosting Northern morale. His effective planning and execution in these campaigns earned him widespread acclaim and demonstrated his capability as a commander.
Following these successes, Burnside was promoted to major general and his IX Corps was transferred to the Army of the Potomac. He continued to perform commendably in various engagements, contributing to Union efforts in Tennessee as well. These early achievements painted a picture of a competent and reliable general, one who could deliver decisive victories. His reputation was growing, and he was seen as a rising star within the Union command structure. However, the true test of his leadership would come as the war escalated, and he was placed in increasingly demanding and high-stakes positions. The complex dynamics of the Army of the Potomac and the formidable opposition of Confederate generals would soon challenge his abilities in ways his earlier successes had not.
The Challenge of Command: Antietam and the Potomac
Ambrose Burnside's career took a significant turn during the Maryland Campaign, leading up to the Battle of Antietam. He was initially given command of the right wing of the Army of the Potomac for the Battle of South Mountain, a significant responsibility. However, his relationship with General George B. McClellan, the overall commander of the Army of the Potomac, was often strained. McClellan, known for his cautious approach, separated Burnside's two corps at Antietam, placing them on opposite ends of the Union battle line. This decision effectively returned Burnside to command of just the IX Corps, a move that arguably diminished his direct influence over the broader battle plan.
At Antietam, Burnside's role, though crucial, became a source of controversy. His IX Corps was tasked with crossing a stone bridge, now famously known as "Burnside's Bridge," to attack the Confederate right flank. The attack was delayed for several hours due to difficulties in forcing the crossing against a small but determined Confederate defense. These delays allowed Confederate reinforcements to arrive, ultimately blunting the Union advance and contributing to the battle's indecisive outcome. While Burnside's men eventually took the bridge, the time lost was critical. This episode began to cast a shadow over his reputation, raising questions about his decisiveness and tactical execution in the heat of a major engagement.
Despite the criticisms, Burnside's perceived loyalty and willingness to follow orders, even when he disagreed with them, made him an appealing candidate for higher command in the eyes of President Lincoln, who was growing increasingly frustrated with McClellan's inaction. In November 1862, Lincoln removed McClellan and, much to Burnside's own reluctance and surprise, offered him command of the entire Army of the Potomac. Burnside initially refused, citing his lack of experience in such a large command, but eventually accepted under immense pressure. This appointment placed him at the helm of the Union's largest and most important fighting force, setting the stage for one of the most devastating Union defeats of the war.
The Burden of Supreme Command
Taking command of the Army of the Potomac was a monumental task, one that Burnside himself felt unprepared for. The army was a complex entity, riddled with internal rivalries and a lingering loyalty to the recently dismissed McClellan. Burnside inherited a force that was powerful but also prone to internal dissent and strategic stagnation. His appointment marked a desperate attempt by Lincoln to find a general who would aggressively pursue the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, led by Robert E. Lee. Burnside's plan to bypass Lee's forces and strike at Fredericksburg was ambitious, but its execution would prove to be his undoing. The pressure on him was immense, and the weight of command would soon manifest in tragic consequences.
The Disastrous Defeat at Fredericksburg
The Battle of Fredericksburg, fought in December 1862, stands as a stark testament to Ambrose Burnside's failures in high command and remains one of the most lopsided defeats for the Union Army during the Civil War. Burnside's plan involved a rapid advance on Fredericksburg, Virginia, hoping to cross the Rappahannock River before Robert E. Lee could consolidate his defenses. However, delays in receiving pontoon bridges crucial for the river crossing allowed Lee ample time to entrench his forces on the heights overlooking the town, particularly on Marye's Heights.
Once the Union troops finally crossed the river, they faced a nearly impregnable Confederate position. Burnside ordered repeated, frontal assaults against the stone wall at the base of Marye's Heights, where Confederate infantry and artillery were dug in with devastating effectiveness. Wave after wave of Union soldiers marched across open ground, only to be mowed down by intense Confederate fire. The attacks were futile and resulted in horrific casualties. Union soldiers were literally piled up in front of the Confederate lines, unable to advance or retreat.
Burnside's persistence in these suicidal attacks, despite clear evidence of their futility, has been widely criticized by military historians. His decision-making was clouded by a combination of a rigid adherence to his initial plan and a desperate hope that sheer numerical superiority could break the Confederate lines. The battle was a decisive defeat for the Union, with over 12,000 Union casualties compared to fewer than 5,000 for the Confederates. The psychological impact on the Union Army was profound, leading to widespread demoralization and a further erosion of confidence in Burnside's leadership. The battle became synonymous with his name, solidifying his reputation for strategic incompetence and earning him a place in the pantheon of Civil War blunders. Following this disaster, the political pressure on Burnside mounted, and his command of the Army of the Potomac became untenable.
The Mud March and Burnside's Relief
In the aftermath of Fredericksburg, Burnside attempted to salvage his reputation and regain the initiative with another offensive, known as the "Mud March" in January 1863. This ill-fated campaign was plagued by severe winter weather, turning roads into impassable quagmires and bogging down the entire army. The movement quickly became a logistical nightmare, with troops and artillery stuck in the mud, unable to advance. The march was abandoned, further damaging morale and highlighting Burnside's inability to effectively command the large army. The constant failures and the mounting casualties led to significant friction within the Army of the Potomac's command structure. Burnside himself grew increasingly frustrated with his corps commanders, whom he felt were undermining his authority. Ultimately, President Lincoln, recognizing the dire state of the army under Burnside's leadership, relieved him of command of the Army of the Potomac in January 1863, replacing him with Joseph Hooker. This marked the end of Burnside's tenure at the helm of the Union's primary fighting force.
The Crater: A Controversial End to Military Command
Despite being relieved of command of the Army of the Potomac, Ambrose Burnside was not entirely out of the war. He was transferred to command the Department of the Ohio, where he achieved some success in stamping out Confederate guerrilla activity and arresting political dissidents. His IX Corps, which he had previously commanded, was eventually reunited with him. However, his most infamous and controversial engagement after Fredericksburg came during the Siege of Petersburg in 1864, specifically at the Battle of the Crater.
The plan for the Battle of the Crater was audacious: Pennsylvania coal miners in Burnside's IX Corps dug a massive tunnel under the Confederate lines and packed it with explosives. The idea was to detonate the mine, creating a breach in the Confederate defenses, through which Union troops would then pour, seizing Petersburg and potentially ending the siege. The explosion on July 30, 1864, was immense, creating a massive crater and initially achieving complete surprise.
However, the subsequent Union attack was a catastrophic failure. Burnside's initial plan was to send a division of well-trained African American troops, who had been specifically drilled for the assault, to lead the charge. They were instructed to move around the crater and secure the flanks. But at the last minute, Major General George Meade, Burnside's superior, overruled this plan, fearing that if the attack failed, it would be seen as sacrificing Black soldiers. Instead, an unprepared and poorly led white division was sent in. These troops, instead of bypassing the crater, foolishly charged directly into it, becoming trapped in the massive pit, which quickly became a deathtrap under Confederate fire.
Burnside's leadership during the battle was heavily criticized. While he protested Meade's change of plans, he failed to adequately adapt or ensure his troops understood the revised objectives. The battle devolved into chaos, with Union soldiers trapped and slaughtered in the crater, unable to advance or retreat. The Confederate forces quickly recovered and inflicted heavy casualties on the trapped Union soldiers. The Battle of the Crater was a humiliating defeat for the Union, and it directly led to Burnside's final relief from command. He was often controversial, and this event solidified his reputation for incompetence, leading to his permanent removal from active field command in 1864. This marked the effective end of his active military career in the Civil War.
The Aftermath and Court of Inquiry
The debacle at the Crater prompted a court of inquiry, which investigated the failure. While the blame was spread among several officers, including Meade and other corps commanders, Burnside received significant censure for his lack of leadership and his failure to properly supervise the attack. The findings of the court essentially ended his career as a field commander. Though he was not formally court-martialed, the public and military perception of his competence was irrevocably damaged. This event serves as a tragic climax to his military career, highlighting the immense pressures and often fatal consequences of command during the Civil War.
Beyond the Battlefield: Inventions and Politics
While Ambrose Burnside's military career, particularly his Civil War record, is the most frequently discussed aspect of his life, it represents only a part of his diverse contributions. Before and after the war, Burnside demonstrated a remarkable versatility, engaging in both innovation and public service.
His inventive spirit was evident early on. As mentioned, after resigning his commission in 1853, he dedicated himself to developing a breech-loading rifle. This invention, though not commercially successful for him due to financial woes, was innovative for its time and showcased his engineering acumen. His design was eventually adopted by the Union Army during the Civil War, a testament to its practical utility, even if Burnside himself didn't profit significantly from it. This period also saw him briefly working as a railroad executive, further expanding his professional experience beyond military pursuits.
After his final departure from military command in 1864, Burnside did not retreat from public life. Instead, he channeled his energies into politics, primarily in his adopted home state of Rhode Island. His transition from a military general to a civilian politician was relatively smooth, perhaps aided by his public recognition and a genuine desire to serve. He was elected Governor of Rhode Island, serving multiple terms. In this role, he focused on post-war reconstruction efforts and local issues, demonstrating a capacity for civil administration that contrasted sharply with his battlefield struggles.
His political career culminated in his election as a United States Senator from Rhode Island. He served in the Senate from 1875 until his death in 1881. As a senator, he continued to advocate for national unity and veterans' affairs, using his platform to influence federal policy. His time in politics allowed him to contribute to the nation's healing process and reconstruction, a less dramatic but arguably equally important role compared to his military service. This phase of his life underscores his enduring commitment to public service and his ability to adapt and find new avenues for contribution, even after significant professional setbacks.
The Origin of "Sideburns"
One of the most unique and enduring aspects of Ambrose Burnside's legacy is his distinctive facial hair. He sported a unique style of whiskers that grew from his temples down his cheeks and connected to his mustache, but with a clean-shaven chin. This particular fashion became so associated with him that it gave rise to the term "sideburns," a playful inversion of his last name. This sartorial contribution is perhaps the most widely recognized, albeit trivial, aspect of his fame. It speaks to his unique personality and how even seemingly minor personal characteristics can leave a lasting mark on popular culture and language. The term "sideburns" has persisted for over a century and a half, a curious linguistic monument to a complex historical figure.
The Legacy of Ambrose Burnside
Ambrose Everett Burnside's legacy is, without a doubt, a tapestry woven with threads of both triumph and profound failure. He was a notable figure in American history, particularly known for his role as a Union general during the Civil War. His leadership and unique personality left a mark not just on the battlefield but also in the hearts of many. He embodied the challenges and complexities faced by Union commanders during a brutal and unforgiving war.
On one hand, he demonstrated genuine capability and achieved substantial success in the early stages of the war, particularly in Carolina and Tennessee. These early victories were crucial for the Union cause and showcased his strategic acumen in amphibious operations. He was a loyal officer, willing to accept difficult commands even when he felt unprepared, a trait that endeared him to President Lincoln. His innovative spirit was also evident in his pre-war inventions, particularly his breech-loading rifle, which contributed to military technology.
However, his name is most often associated with his severe defeats at the Battle of Fredericksburg and his unsuccessful Crater attack during the Siege of Petersburg. These battles, particularly Fredericksburg, gave him a reputation for incompetence and strategic blunders that overshadowed his earlier achievements. He was often controversial and was eventually relieved of command after the Battle of the Crater in 1864, marking a tragic end to his active military career.
Beyond the battlefield, Burnside's legacy extends to his significant contributions in politics. Serving as Governor of Rhode Island and later as a United States Senator, he demonstrated a continued commitment to public service and played a role in the nation's post-war reconstruction. His life story is a testament to the fact that individuals can have mixed records, experiencing both great successes and significant setbacks, yet still contribute meaningfully to society.
Ultimately, Ambrose Burnside is remembered for his inventions, his whiskers (which literally gave us the word "sideburns"), and his failures at Fredericksburg and the Crater. His life offers valuable lessons in leadership, resilience, and the often-unpredictable nature of war and public life. He remains a compelling figure, a Union general whose triumphs, failures, and distinctive appearance ensure his enduring, if sometimes debated, place in American history.
What are your thoughts on Ambrose Burnside's complex legacy? Do you believe his successes outweigh his failures, or vice versa? Share your perspective in the comments below! If you found this article insightful, consider sharing it with fellow history enthusiasts or exploring other fascinating figures from the American Civil War era on our site.
Ambrose Everett Burnside | Civil War, Rhode Island, Union Army | Britannica
Ambrose Burnside - Alchetron, The Free Social Encyclopedia
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