This is a Carte De Vista of Union Major General Ambrose Burnside of the American Civil War. Burnside was a graduate of West Point and served for several years on the western frontier. He resigned his commission to start the Burnside Rifle Company to manufacture the carbine he had designed. When the war broke out Burnside was living in Rhode Island. He raised the 1st Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry Regiment and was appointed as their Colonel. He was rapidly promoted to Major General after his victories in North Carolina. During the Battle of Antietam Burnside struggled to get his 12,500 man Corps across a stone bridge that today bears his name. He was named commander of the Army of the Potomac afterwards, and accepted complete responsibility for the disaster at Fredericksburg, where he suffered over 12,000 casualties. He was relieved of command of the Army of the Potomac, but continued to serve until the end of the war. He commanded troops at The Wilderness, Spotsylvania Courthouse, Cold Harbor and the siege of Petersburg. He resigned in 1865 and began what would become a very successful political career. One of his big claims to fame were his side whiskers, that eventual led to the term sideburns! The CDV itself is in good condition, with the image contrasting very well with the background. The image of Burnside is a bust shot with him dressed in a Major Generals double breasted frock coat sitting. The image is clear and blemish free. The card stock measures 4" high and 2 5/16" wide. The corners are crisp and uncut and there are no bends or fold lines. On the bottom left corner is the name Brady, and Washington on the bottom right. The rear of the CDV has a Matthew Brady back mark and lists both locations of his studios, one in New York and the other in Washington D.C. Written in ink above the back mark is the name Burnside. This is a very nice image of a very well known Union commander during the Civil War.

Item # AA1135

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