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Rh tary academy, and, although the first attempt was a failure, fortune at last favored him, and he entered the class of 1847, when there were at the academy more than a score of future generals, including MeClellan, Hancock, and "Stonewall" Jackson. The war with Mexico was nearly over when Burnside was graduated ; but he accompanied one of the last detachments of recruits to the conquered capital, and remained there as second lieutenant of the 3d artillery during the military occupation of the place. Then followed years of life in garrison and on the frontier, including some Indian fighting. In 1852 he married Mary Richmond, daughter of Nathaniel Bishop, of Providence, R. I., and in November of the same year resigned his commission, having invented a breech-loading rifle, the manufacture of which he wished to superintend. In August, 1857, a board of army officers reported favorably upon the Burnside breech-loader; but the inventor would not pay his way among the underlings of the war department, and was forced to go into bankruptcy. He devoted all his personal property to the liquidation of his debts, sought employment, found it at Chicago, under George B. MeClellan, then vice-president of the Illinois central railroad, and, by practising strict economy, he eventually paid every obligation. In June, 1860, he became treasurer of the Illinois central railroad, his office being in New York city. In the autumn of that year he visited New Orleans on business, and gained an insight into the movement for secession that shook his life-long faith in the democratic party. So confidently did he anticipate war that he set his business affairs in order, and was ready to start at once when, on 15 April, 1861, Gov. Sprague, of Rhode Island, telegraphed for him to take command of the 1st regiment of detached militia. On 20 April the regiment left Providence by sea, and marched, with the other battalions that had been hurried forward, from Annapolis to Washington, reaching the capital on 26 April. The preliminary operations about Washington soon culminated, owing mainly to popular outcry and political pressure at the north, in the premature advance of the federal army, and the battle of Manassas or Bull Run (21 July). Col. Burnside commanded a brigade on the extreme right of Hunter's division, which was detached from the main army early in the morning, and sent across an upper ford to turn the confederate left. The movement was anticipated by the enemy, and a sharp engagement took place, at the beginning of which Gen. Hunter was wounded, leaving Burnside in command. The Confederates were forced back, losing heavily, until nearly noon, when they were re-enforced by Gen. Johnston's advance brigade under Jackson, who stemmed the tide of fugitives, and there won his name of " Stonewall." By this time Burnside's ammunition was exhausted, and his command had to fall back. It made no further aggressive movement, but retained its organization after the rout of the main army, and on the retreat toward Washington. A period of comparative inactivity followed, during which Col. Burnside's regiment was mustered out on the expiration of its term of service. On 6 Aug., 1861, he was commissioned a brigadier-general of volunteers, and given a command composed of the three-year regiments then assembling at Washington. On 23 Oct., Gen. Burnside was directed to organize a "coast division" with headquarters at Annapolis. This force was largely composed of regiments recruited on the New England coasts, and was intended for operations along the lower Potomac and Chesapeake bay. The plan was changed, however, the expeditionary force was largely increased, and, on 12 Jan., 1862, a corps of 12,000 men, on a fleet of forty-six transports, sailed from Hampton Roads with sealed orders, directing them to rendezvous in Pamlico sound by way of Hatteras inlet. Within twenty-four hours a heavy gale arose, which lasted nearly two weeks, scattered the fleet, and imperilled its safety. On 25 Jan., however, all the vessels had passed through Hatteras inlet and were safe in the sound. On 5 Feb. the fleet, with an escort of gun-boats, moved toward Roanoke island, a fortified post of the confederates, and engaged the gun-boats and batteries. Within a few hours a landing was efi'ected, and on 8 Feb. the confederate position near the middle of the island was carried and the garrison captured, numbering 2,500 men. The possession of Roanoke island gave command of the extensive land-locked waters of Albemarle and Pamlico sounds, and was one of the earliest substantial successes of the national arms. Newbern, N. C, was occupied, after a sharp struggle, on 14 March. The surrender of Fort Macon and Beaufort soon followed, and, when Gen. Burnside visited the north on a short leave of abseence, he found himself welcomed as the most uniformly successful of the federal leaders.

During the campaign in the Carolinas and the early summer following, the army of the Potomac, under MeClellan, had been defeated before Richmond, and had in turn re])ellod the confederates at Malvern Hill. Burnside relinquished the command of the department of North Carolina, and, with his old divisions reorganized as the 9th corps, was transferred to the army of the Potomac, which held the north shore of the Rappahannock opposite Fredericksburg. The chief command was offered to Burnside. but he resolutely declined it, frankly declaring that he did not consider himself competent. On 27 June the order was issued relieving MeClellan and placing Pope in command. The fortunes of the confederacy now seemed so distinctly in the ascendant that it was determined at Richmond to assume the offensive. The preparations for the movement were at once known in Washington, and the administration urged Gen. Pope to create a diversion along the line of the Rappahannock. This he attempted, but was foiled almost at all points, and the army of Virginia, as it was temporarily designated, fell back sullen and demoralized after a second defeat at Manassas, upon the defences of Washington, where Burnside was again asked to take command, but again declined. In its extremity, the administration again called upon MeClellan, who in a remarkably short time brought order out of chaos and reinspired the army with a degree of confidence. By this time Lee's advance had crossed the Potomac near Sharpsburg, and Burnside was sent to meet him with the 1st and 9th corps. He left Washington Sept. 3. On 12 Sept. he met the enemy's pickets at Frederick City, and on the 14th encountered the confederates in force at South Mountain, and very handsomely dislodged them from a strong position. The energy of this movement was probably not anticipated by Gen. Lee. He retreated to Antietam creek, threw up intrenchments, and awaited attack. To Burnside's 9th corps, on the morning of the battle of Antietam (Sept. 17), was assigned the task of capturing and holding a stone bridge. This was done at a terrible sacrifice of life ; but it was the key of the position, and, according to a high Confederate authority (Edward A. Pollard, the historian), if the bridge could have been re-captured, the result of the battle of Antietam would have been decisive. The army remained in the neighborhood