This is an early war view of General Burnside as Colonel of the 1st Rhode Island Volunteers. He is shown wearing what appears to be a very long battle shirt. The length of the shirt is a little longer than an issued sack coat. The shirt has a double breasted placard from mid chest to collar with a slash pocket on the left chest. He also wears his sword and belt rig and holds a Hardee hat in his right hand. His left hand rests on the hilt of his sword. Image is clear and very good. Back mark is "Manchester Bros. Prov. R. I."

Ambrose Everett Burnside is best known for his defeat as commander of the Army of Potomac at Fredericksburg, Va. on December 13, 1862. He was born in Indiana and was appointed to West Point in 1843. He graduated 18th in the Class of 1847 but arrived in Mexico too late to participate in the fighting. He eventually resigned from the Army in October of 1853 and went into business in Rhode Island. When the Civil War broke out he raised the 1st Rhode Island Infantry and served as a brigade commander at 1st Bull Run. He was promoted to Brigadier General on August 8, 1861 and led Union forces in an invasion of the North Carolina coast in late 1861-early 1862 with much success. He was promoted Major General on March 18, 1862. He was given command of the 9th Corps and served with that organization throughout the war except for his short stint as commander of the Army of the Potomac from November of 1862 to January of 1863. He was granted the thanks of Congress for his services during the war and resigned from the Army on April 15, 1865. He died September 13, 1881.