Ambrose Burnside

American general, politician, and inventor known for his role in the Civil War.

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:
Ambrose Burnside
Role / Field:
American general, politician, and inventor known for his role in the Civil War.
Born:
1824-05-23
Died:
1881-09-13
Century / Era:
1824s Historical Era
Database Source:
2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Foundations

Ambrose Everts Burnside (May 23, 1824 – September 13, 1881) was an American army officer and politician who became a senior Union general in the American Civil War and a three-time governor of Rhode Island, as well as being an inventor and industrialist. He achieved some of the earliest victories in the Eastern theater of the Civil War, but was then promoted above his abilities, and is mainly remembered for two disastrous defeats, at Fredericksburg (December 1862) and the Battle of the Crater (July 1864, during the Siege of Petersburg). Although an inquiry cleared him of blame in the latter case, he never regained credibility as an army commander. Burnside was a modest and unassuming individual, mindful of his limitations, who had been propelled to high command against his will.

Key Developments & Impact

He could be described as a genuinely unlucky man, both in battle and in commerce (due to various circumstances, most of them beyond his control, he was unable to profit from the successful cavalry firearm that had been his own invention). His style of thick facial hair became known as "sideburns", deriving from the two syllables of his surname. Burnside was born in Liberty, Indiana, and was...

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

  1. 1824 (1824-05-23): Birth of Ambrose Burnside — American general, politician, and inventor known for his role in the Civil War.
  2. 1862: 1862 Milestone — He achieved some of the earliest victories in the Eastern theater of the Civil War, but was then promoted above his abilities, and is mainly remembered for two disastrous defeats, at Fredericksburg (December 1862) and the Battle of the Crater (July 1864, during the Siege of Petersburg).
  3. 1881 (1881-09-13): Passing & Historical Legacy — Ambrose Burnside passed away on 1881-09-13, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Notable Quotes by Ambrose Burnside

“I was a modest and unassuming individual, mindful of my limitations.”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Ambrose Burnside

True or False: “Ambrose Burnside was primarily remembered for his brilliant, decisive victories throughout the Civil War.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): He is more notably remembered for two disastrous defeats, specifically at Fredericksburg and the Battle of the Crater.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

  • Agustín de Iturbide — Contemporary (Died in 1824) (1824): Mexican military officer and politician who became the first Emperor of Mexico.
  • Alexandre Dumas fils — Contemporary (Born in 1824) (1824): Master French playwright and novelist, celebrated for 'The Lady of the Camellias'.
  • Anton Bruckner — Contemporary (Born in 1824) (1824): Master of Austro-German Romanticism, renowned for monumental symphonies and sacred works.
  • Aleksey Pisemsky — Contemporary (Died in 1881) (1881): A prominent Russian novelist and dramatist, contemporary to Turgenev and Dostoyevsky.
  • Alexander Fleming — Contemporary (Born in 1881) (1881): Pioneering microbiologist known for the discovery of penicillin, revolutionizing medicine.
  • Alexander II of Russia — Contemporary (Died in 1881) (1881): Emperor of Russia, known as 'The Liberator' for abolishing serfdom.
  • ʻAbdu'l-Bahá — Shared historical date (05-23 · Born) (1844): Successor to Baháʼu'lláh and guiding light of the Baháʼí Faith.
  • Ablai Khan — Shared historical date (05-23 · Born) (1711): Last independent Kazakh Khan, leading struggles against Dzungars and Qing forces.
  • Alain Ducasse — Shared historical date (09-13 · Born) (1956): Renowned French-born Monégasque chef, celebrated for Michelin-starred cuisine.
  • Amon Göth — Shared historical date (09-13 · Died) (1946): Austrian SS functionary and war criminal, commandant of Płaszów concentration camp.
  • 1824 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1824
  • May 23 (05-23) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on May 23
  • 1881 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1881
  • September 13 (09-13) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on September 13

Frequently Asked Questions about Ambrose Burnside

Who was Ambrose Burnside and what are their primary contributions?

American general, politician, and inventor known for his role in the Civil War. Origins & Foundations: Ambrose Everts Burnside (May 23, 1824 – September 13, 1881) was an American army officer and politician who became a senior Union general in the American Civil War and a three-time governor of Rhode Island, as well as being an inventor and industrialist. He achieved some of the earliest victories in the Eastern theater of the Civil War, but was then promoted above his abilities, and is mainly remembered for two disastrous defeats, at Fredericksburg (December 1862) and the Battle of the Crater (July 1864, during the Siege of Petersburg). Although an inquiry cleared him of blame in the latter case, he never regained credibility as an army commander. Burnside was a modest and unassuming individual, mindful of his limitations, who had been propelled to high command against his will.

When was Ambrose Burnside born and during which historical era did they live?

Ambrose Burnside was born on 1824-05-23 and passed away on 1881-09-13. For complete historical world events during this era, explore the 1824 Chrono-Archive.

Where can I read more verified chronological archives on Ambrose Burnside?

Explore verified primary sources, interactive timelines, and contemporary figures in the 2Day Chrono-Wiki encyclopedia or review the original entry on Wikipedia.

Source: Wikipedia