The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1914-05-24
THE WAR DAY BYfDAY.
Fifty Years Ago frs1t,s.s


tcopyrisi
Fifty years ago today the Ninth Army
CORDS, Gen. A. z. Burnside. which hao
been serving under Grant as an inde-
endent command. was attached to the
Army OF the Potomac.
This change. which was ordered ~
Gen. Grant. was in the interest OF more
effective handling of the Federal forces
opposing Lee, which were then massed
at the North Anna River. about twenty
eight miles from 4tichmond.
On beginning his overland campaign
Grant had received the Ninth Corps as
reinforcement to the Army OF the
Potomac. The corps had been on duty
I'm East Tennessee, where Gen. Burnside
had commanded in the Knoxville CAM
paign. On being ordered North. II re-
tanned It's Identity as an independent
command.
Various considerations Influenced the
government to maintain a separate COM
mand for Gen. Burnside One was the
fact that he had formerly commanded
the Army Of the Potomac and was senior
In rank to Gen. Meade, who was then
in command Of il.
Gen. Grant had found the arrangement
OF two distinct commands an awkward
one. So also had Gen. Meade. who lacked
side. All orders for the Ninth Corps
came from Gen Grant. This resulted in
delays at times wher every moment was
precious Gen. Grant had seen the weak
ness of this arrangement from the first.
but had hesitated to make a change on
account of the position in which such
change would place Gen. Burnside.
At his first meeting with Gen Grant
after the order was issued he said:
IL H. l.. - +
necessity and I am glad it has been
issued"
This conduct of Gen. Burnside greatly
pleased Gen. Grant. 1t was In marked
contrast to the course pursued by some
other army officers when asked to sac
rifice their position for the common good.
Friends Chung to Hin.
The change in the status of the Ninth
Corps and Gen. Burnside's bearing In
connection with it served to strengthen
the position of this not always fortunate
oficer with the army and with the pub
lie.
Gen. Burnside's popularity rose from
his unselfishiness, his patriotism and his
genial character. He accepted the in
evitable as gracefully as any man I'm the
Federal service. He made friends who
chung to him. and many of them were
men Of influence in Washington This
explains MS retention Of high command.
His military abilities would not orli-
narily have kept him in the positions
he held. He always did his best. and
In many ways was a competent officer;
but he lacked something which made
for complete success. 1t is difficult at
this time - find the exact cause Of his
falling below a high standard. At times
he was rash to folly; at others he halted
on the threshold of victory. Very cften
he did not know his own mind at a time
when decision was imperative. Yet.
through 1t all, he retained the love of
his men and the respect Of his fellow
officers.
There was no more lovable or pic
turesque officer in the service than
Burnside His bluff and CHEEKY manner.
his perennial optimism and his kindness
of heart. endeared him to all around
him. Many stories are told of him,
and there is scarcely one without
smile in 1t.
called at this time an anecdote Of two
DAYS before, in which Burnside rad fig
ured.
Gen. Grant had halted at a :nansion on
the road to the North Anna for brief
rest and to examine maps Two gentle
women-all of the family who were AT
him civily and entered
into conversation with him. The men of
Burnside's Ninth Corps were marching
past the house at the time, and Ge".
Burnside rode up. Dismounting and re-
moving his hat. he made a sweeping
bow to the women and remarked to
them with a smile. II suppose you never
saw so many Yankee soldiers before:
20. yes" replied one Of them sweetly,
81 have seen more
"where?" asked Gen. Burnside
in Richmond" was the reply.
Gen. Burnside blushed and the other
officers present laughed. Federal sol
diers entered Richmond at that time
only as prisoners.
Was Once . Tailor.
Gen. Burnside's career to this point
had been in -eepinS with his character.
a series of successes and failures. Born
in Liberty, Ind, he had been in ms
youth a tailor. A local Congressman
coming to his shop found the young
man engaged in reading a military book.
which was propped up beside ms
goose" and held open with pair OF
shears in order that he might read as
he piled the needle.
The Congressman volunteered to Sc
cure for the young tailor an appoint
ment to the Military Academy. Burn
side. who had a good common schooi
education. studied hard in preparation
to enter the academy, but failed TO pass
the examination.
In his second attempt he was success
full. He entered the class of 1877, in which
he did not particularly distinguish HIM
self. Being graduated too late to par
ticipate in the Mexican war, he saw serv-
ice in the West. In 1852 he married at
Providence, R. l.. and resigned from the
army. He had invented breach-loading |
rife and went into the business of man !
ufacturing it. an enterprise which ended
in bankruptcy. |
He next secured employment from