Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant · Character

Ambrose E. Burnside

A corps commander whose Ninth Corps sat poised at Annapolis, uncertain whether it was meant to reinforce the Army of the Potomac or strike the coast—a question even he could not answer.

supporting

Also known as Burnside, General Burnside, Major-General A. E. Burnside

First appearance: i

As a supporting figure in Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant, Ambrose E. Burnside is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

Mentioned indirectly as General Prentiss; Burnside is not present, but Prentiss is the focus.

In the storyCommissioned Brigadier-General — Command at Ironton, Mo. — Jefferson City — Cape Girardeau — General Prentiss — Seizure of Paducah — Headquarters at CairoOpen this moment free

Burnside waits at Annapolis with over twenty thousand men, an admirable position whose purpose remains unsettled up to the last moment; he and the War Department both believed the corps was destined for a coastal expedition. Grant's grand plan of simultaneous movements across the whole line depends on commanders like him being placed where they can threaten Richmond or support the main army. He matters because his uncertainty mirrors the broader problem of coordinating vast forces before a single order is given.

See Ambrose E. Burnside in Commissioned Brigadier-General — Command at Ironton, Mo. — Jefferson City — Cape Girardeau — General Prentiss — Seizure of Paducah — Headquarters at Cairo Book page

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Character Web

37 connections

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Relationship types

Professional
Other

Character groups

High Command & Cavalry
Army of the Potomac
Grant's Inner Circle
Political Leadership
Protagonist

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

Grant’s severe sick headache—a physical manifestation of immense psychological strain—reaches its peak just as…

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Relationships

Winfield S. Hancock
professional · ambivalent
Burnside and Hancock served as corps commanders in the Army of the Potomac, often… How this plays out →

Relationship notes

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See Ambrose E. Burnside in i

In the story

Ambrose E. Burnside appears across 17 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Commissioned Brigadier-General — Command at Ironton, Mo. — Jefferson City — Cape Girardeau — General Prentiss — Seizure of Paducah — Headquarters at Cairo
Mentioned indirectly as General Prentiss; Burnside is not present, but Prentiss is the focus.
XXIV
Not directly mentioned in excerpts; included as placeholder for completeness.
First Meeting with Secretary Stanton—General Rosecrans—Commanding Military Division of Mississippi—Andrew Johnson’s Address—Arrival at Chattanooga
Grant telegraphs him from Jasper to secure ammunition for his artillery and small-arms.
XLII
Burnside is besieged in Knoxville, holding out with limited supplies; Grant communicates plans for his relief and encourages him to hold his position.
XLIII
Under siege at Knoxville, the relief of whom was a primary objective of Grant's operations.
The Relief of Knoxville
Besieged at Knoxville, Burnside reports his supplies are nearly exhausted and faces the prospect of surrender or retreat; he is relieved by Sherman's approach.
The Military Situation—Plans For the Campaign—Sheridan Assigned to Command of the Cavalry—Flank Movements—Forrest at Fort Pillow—General Banks's Expedition—Colonel Mosby—An Incident of the Wilderness Campaign
Burnside commands the 9th Army Corps, over 20,000 strong, initially rendezvoused at Annapolis and later moved to support the Army of the Potomac.
The Battle of the Wilderness
Commanded the Union IX Corps, arrived late to support Hancock.
LI
Commanded the 9th Corps; positioned with wagon trains on the extreme left.
LII
Commands left wing, gains position near Spotsylvania Court House but is ordered to withdraw.
LIII
Ordered to attack on the left of the salient; his division under Potter briefly gets over the parapet but cannot hold.
Movement by the Left Flank—Battle of North Anna—An Incident of the March—Moving on Richmond—South of the Pamunkey—Position of the National Army
Commands the 9th Corps; moves to New Bethel Church and crosses at Jericho Ford; interacts with the plantation lady.
Chapter LV
Corps commander; thinks something could be done in his front.
Chapter LVII
Commences mining operation under Confederate lines at Petersburg, approved by Grant and Meade.
The End of the War — The March to Washington — One of Lincoln’s Anecdotes — Grand Review at Washington — Characteristics of Lincoln and Stanton — Estimate of the Different Corps Commanders
Liked and respected but not fitted to command an army; admitted his own blunders.
Organization Charts—Union and Confederate
Commanding the Ninth Army Corps.
Union Army on the Rapidan, May 5, 1864
Commanding the Ninth Army Corps.

Chapter companion notes

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See Ambrose E. Burnside in i

See Ambrose E. Burnside in Commissioned Brigadier-General — Command at Ironton, Mo. — Jefferson City — Cape Girardeau — General Prentiss — Seizure of Paducah — Headquarters at Cairo