Burnside

Burnside, AMBROSE EVERETT, American general, born at Liberty, Indiana, 23d May 1824, served an apprenticeship to a tailor, but received a nomination to West Point, where he graduated in 1847. He left the army as first-lieutenant in 1852, but returned as colonel of volunteers in 1861, commanded a brigade at Bull Run, and in February 1862 captured Roanoke Island. Having rendered important services at South Mountain and Antietam, he in November reluctantly superseded McClellan. On December 13, he crossed the Rappahannock, and attacked Lee near Fredericksburg, but was repulsed with a loss of over 10,000 men, and was soon after transferred to the department of Ohio. In November 1863 he successfully held Knoxville against a superior force, and in 1864 he led a corps under Grant through the battles of the Wilderness and Cold Harbour. Resigning in April 1865, he was elected governor of Rhode Island (1866-68), and United States senator in 1875 and 1881. He died 3d September 1881.