New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-01-14


hood at the present tme 1t is not an undressing
coincidence that this general, whose hesrt and soul
are so devoted TO the great work of defending tho
liter,ies and restoring the Union Of lis country,
should have been born at Liberty, in Union County.
He is Of Scotch descent both of bis grandparents
having been born Scotland but emigratiug to this
country, they settled in South Carolina, where
the father Of Gen. Burnside was born. Mr..
burnside having commenced the practice Of tue
law, married a lady Of South Carolina,
and was soon in possession Of a lucrative practice.
The new and fertile Districts Of Southern Indians
presenting to his mind great inducements for settlers
be disposed of bis property in 1921 and emigraed to
the town, IN Union County where the subject OF our
sketch was born. Mr.. Burnside successiyely filled
the Offices of Clerk Of Court and Judge Of the Circuit
Court, and always active supporter Of tho
old Wing party. The son educated at Horizons
Academy, a somewhat famous school III its day.
When Is years Of age, he Was admitted into the
West Point Military Academy, and in lS47 graduated
in the Artillery, fifteenth in Glars Of forty-seyen.
His rank of Breyet I'd Lieutenant in the ID Artillery
wsg exchanged tie following year for that Of
a full second Ieutenancy in The Sd Artillery,
TO which regiment be was Transferred 10y
the War Department. At the time of his graduation
from West Point his regiment was in Mexico, and.
joining it OF Vera Cruz, lie went, with PatteIson's
column to the City of Mexico, which capital they
reached after SCOTS triumphal entry. Lieut. Burn
side remained with Lis regiment 10 Mexico until peace
was declared, but. much against bis wishes, partic-
ipaed in none Of the brilliant engagements which
she'd 60 much uster our arms. On the promulga-
ton Of the treaty Of peace, be WAC ordered to New
port r. L. and served at that post until the Spring
Of 1919, when be went to New-Mexico, having been
detached to Braggs famous battery as First Lieuten-
ant For three or four years he was in
the exciting service of ekirmishing sgainst
the wsrke Indian tribes Of New-Mcxieo.
and in several perilous fights displayed such daunt-
less courage as TO earn the highest epcouiums from
his superior officers. The peculiar character of In
dian warfare making it impossible TO operate against
them with adiilery, Braegs men turned IN their
PIECES, and were organized as cavalry companies.
Their duties consisted chiefly in scouting and escort
ing the mails the States. Lieutenant burnside
landed in New-Mexico about the Isl Of August, and
on the 2lst of that month, when in command of
company, had an engagement with the Apaches.
near Las Vegas Although the odds we're more than
two TO one against them, Burnsdcs gallant fellows,
twenty-nine in number, killed eighteen ludians.
took nine prisoners, captured forty horses
with all their equipments, and scattered tie band in
every dir ecrion. The action was regarded as very
brilliant one by Capt. Judd, and III his report aS
Commandaut of the post TO the Secretary oil War.
he noticed Lieut.. Burnside gaantry in the most COM
plimeutary terms recommending him for promotion.
Tie was also recommended to President Fillmore for
promotion, but resgued from the service before
receiving tie reward to which be was fairly EN-.
titled. In the Winter Of 1861 he served AZ QGir
termaster on the Boundary Commission, which ran
the line between Mexico and the United States, andn
Sert 81 os the Plains ~ bearer If dispatches
from Colonel Graham TO the President With an
e,cort of only TIRES men lie started from tie ella
River on his Ierilous trip through the Indian
country. but fortunately passed through unnloested
trave,ing 200 miles in tie Incredibly short time
Of Il DAYS This is the fastest mule travel or record.
While at Fort Adams, Newport, he resigned from
he seryice. having invented bieoeLcading car
bine which be proposed to Manufacture iof Govern
mont. With tins object in view, he settled az Brs.
tol, r. l.. and tie strength OF a verbal contract
with the tibet Floyd, which was to be legally rll-
fed at once, lie invested all lis property, and noe,
10 his arms mandatory. Thieves are always liarS
aud Of course Floyd found il an e4sy matter
10 ruin a poor Lieutenant by breaking the
promises he had made and giving the con-
tract TO another inventor. IL 10 not likely
that his Objection of u single meal WAS disturbed by
the traneaction but it compassed the ruin Of Mr..
Burnside, and doomed him to several years Of toll
and pryation. As soon as the extent OF lis Disaster
WAS ascermined, Burnside, Eke bigh-minded and
honorable man, gave up everything TO bis creditors.
and began lie anew. Failing 10 find employment in
New-York, he determined TO try his fortune IN
Chicago, and to procure the means to deraJ his ex-
penses disposed of his military uniforms and trap
rings to the property man OF a theater for small
sum In Chicago he entered tue Office Of the Illinois
Central Railroad as cashier of the lana department,
which post he retained for nearly two yeaIs,
when LIE was elected Treasurer of the Com
pany and removed to New.York. White he wac
in Chicago Mr., now Major-General, Mcclellan
was excessively General Superintendent and
yice.Presdent of tie Company, aud with him
Burnside renewed the friendship which they mad
formed at the West Point Academy. Bach Is a.
noted man in his way: Mcclellan being possessed 0,
wonderful executive ability, an lion cons'itnt on and
a thoroughly practical mind; and Burnside adding to-
good business habits high moral principle ani up
rigbtness of character which impress Themselves
upou every one with whom he las dealings. Both
men have great suaviiy of wsuner join ID to decision
aud irmness; both are brave, Modest, puro IL word
and action; and while leither OF the friends are
members Of any religious socie'y, they bo.h seem
actuated BY high Christian principle.
Last Spring, when Gov. Spragues ofee Of i,co9
Rhode Island men WAS accepted by Government,
Burnside was fulfilling hs dudes O. Cashsr, IA the
oace in New-loIk but one day, WIS surprised ~