(1824-1881) Graduated in the West Point class of 1847. Mexican War veteran. Serving on the western frontier, he was wounded in a skirmish with Apaches in 1849. He resigned his commission in 1853, invented a breech loading rifle, was appointed a Major General of the Rhode Island State Militia and was elected to Congress as a Democrat. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he organized the 1st Rhode Island Infantry, becoming their Colonel. He was in command of a brigade at 1st Bull Run. Having become a Lincoln favorite, he was given command of the expedition against the coast of North Carolina, fought at Antietam, and in December of 1862 commanded the Army of the Potomac during their bitter defeat at Fredericksburg. Burnside also saw action at Knoxville, the Overland Campaign, and Petersburg. In his post war career he was elected Governor of Rhode Island three times, and later a U. S. Senator.

Wet plate, albumen carte de visite photograph, mounted to 2 3/8 x 3 1/4 card. Bust view in uniform with rank of major general. Backmark: C.D. Fredricks & Co., New York, Habana and Paris, with 2 cents revenue tax stamp. Light age toning. Card is trimmed. Sharp image.