Sold – Burnside, Having Given His All For the Union, Is Bitter After Being Fired

Union general, Commander of the Army of the Potomac. Burnside instantly put down his business the moment he heard about Lincoln’s call for troops on April 17, 1861, and rallied to the colors. He had some good success early in the war in North Carolina, but led the army to a disaster at Fredericksburg and was reassigned to Ohio. Returning to field command with Grant in his 1864 Virginia campaign, he hesitated to commit troops and performed inadequately. Then on July 30, 1864, he mishandled the Battle of the Crater, and that was the last straw. He was relieved of responsibility the first week in August, and on August 14 left the service. Burnside was bitter and considered himself as fired, a fine thank you for all the effort he had put into a Union victory. His senior and most loyal general, Orlando Wilcox, wrote him a letter of commiseration on his dismissal, and we offer Burnside’s reply.

Autograph Letter Signed to Wilcox on his Headquarters, 9th Army Corps letterhead, August 12, 1864. “My dear General: Your kind note with "drop of comfort" are most acceptable. Please thank Mr. McKenzie in my name when you write him for his kind consideration. I will call at your headquarters on my return from the South. Truly your friend, A. E. Burnside.” The attempt to console Burnside, though appreciated, was, as he says, a “drop” in the bucket to the pain of his removal. Wilcox, who was Burnside’s natural successor, was passed over for the promotion, probably as the result of his association with Burnside. A poignant letter, deacquisitioned from a major institution.