Ambrose Burnside

Ambrose Everett Burnside (May 23,1824 – September 13, 1881) was a railroad executive, an industrialist, and a politician from Rhode Island, serving as governor and a U.S. Senator. As a Union Army general in the American Civil War, he was defeated in the disastrous Battle of Fredericksburg,

Early life and career

Burnside was born in Liberty, Indiana. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1847 and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the 2nd U.S. Artillery. He accompanied Braxton Bragg's Battery throughout the Mexican-American War, and with it entered Mexico City.

Related Topics:
Liberty, Indiana - U.S. Military Academy - 1847 - Second lieutenant - Braxton Bragg - Mexican-American War - Mexico City

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At the close of the war Lieutenant Burnside was detailed for duty against the Apaches in the New Mexico Territory, and served some two years in frontier warfare. In 1849 he was wounded by an arrow in his neck in Las Vegas, New Mexico. In 1852 he was appointed to the command of Fort Adams, Newport, Rhode Island, and while there he married Mary Bishop of Providence, Rhode Island. In 1853 he resigned his commission in the Regular Army, although maintaining a position in the state militia, and devoted his time and energy to the manufacture of the famous rifle that bears his name, the Burnside Breechloading Carbine. The Secretary of War under President James Buchanan, John B. Floyd, contracted with the Burnside Arms Company to equip a large portion of the army with his carbine, and induced him to establish extensive factories for its manufacture. The works were no sooner complete than another gunmaker bribed Floyd to break his contract with Burnside, who was ruined. He went west in search of employment and became treasurer of the Illinois Central Railroad, where he worked, and became friendly, with his future commanding officer, George B. McClellan.

Related Topics:
Apache - New Mexico Territory - 1849 - Las Vegas, New Mexico - 1852 - Newport, Rhode Island - Providence, Rhode Island - 1853 - Regular Army - Breechloading Carbine - Secretary of War - President - James Buchanan - John B. Floyd - Illinois Central Railroad - George B. McClellan

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