General+Ambrose+Everett+Burnside

Back = Franklin County Main Page = Home Page General Ambrose Everett Burnside  Burnside was born in Liberty, Indiana into a family of nine children and with a Scottish heritage. Originally, their family settled in the province of South Carolina where Burnside’s father lived as a slave owning native. Later, the Burnside family sold their slaves and moved to Indiana. There, Ambrose attended Liberty Seminary School as a young boy. In 1841 his mother died and Ambrose ceased his education and became an apprentice to local tailor. His fascination with military affairs and his father’s political connections led him to attend the United States Military Academy and graduated 18th in his class of 38 in 1847. His military training at West Point enabled him to attain many high ranking positions throughout the Civil War era. He was first commissioned as a brevet second lieutenant in the 2nd US Artillery. During antebellum America, Lt. Burnside obtained an extensive military record. He served in the Mexican-American War and assigned to protect Western mail routes in Nevada and Fort Adams in Rhode Island. In 1853, Ambrose unsuspectingly resign, however, he maintained a position in the state militia. While out of the service, Burnside created the famous Burnside Arms Company, which manufactured the Burnside Carbine. Unfortunately, his arms factory burned down in a fire and Ambrose travelled west in search for a job. He soon became friends with his future comrade George McClellan. As the Civil War sparked into action, the Union appointed Burnside colonel of the 1st Rhode Island Infantry. As the war progressed Burnside climbed the ranks, first he commanded brigades and then corps. Eventually he became the major general of the Army of the Potomac. However, he declined the position several times until he was forced to take the job by government officials such as Abraham Lincoln. His first military conflict as commander of the Union army resulted in an epic failure in Fredericksburg. Many delays in the Union forces led to General Lee of the Confederates to repulse the Union attack. After other failures including the Mud March in 1863, Major General Joseph Hooker replaced Burnside’s command of the Army of the Potomac. Lincoln sent him to serve for the Department of Ohio where he regained command over the 9th Corps. Burnside created his controversial General Order #38, making it a crime to express any kind of opposition to the war. His military career only went downhill from here. In Tennessee he led his carps into multiple battles including North Anna, Cold Harbor, and the famous Battle of the Crater. During the battle, Burnside took advice from miners to dig a tunnel under the Confederate fort and blow it up with explosives. Although to plan was successful, Grant relieved Ambrose Burnside on April 15, 1865. After the war, several large industrial companies hired Burnside and worked for the railroad for a year. In 1866, Burnside became Governor of Rhode Island until May of 1869. Later in 1874, he became a U.S. Senator from the state of Rhode Island and served until his death in 1881. During his time in the senate he played a vital role in multiple of military affairs and also served as the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee.