Ambrose Burnside Monument: Commemorating a Unique Legacy
When pondering some of the most important figures of the American Civil War, several key names likely pop into your mind: Abraham Lincoln, Jefferson Davis, Ambrose Burnside, and so on. Well, unless you are a complete history geek like myself, perhaps the name “Ambrose Burnside” actually doesn’t ring much of a bell. Whether or not you are familiar with his name, I can assure you that by the end of this blog you will leave knowing more about this historical figure than you did 5 minutes ago. A principal figure in Rhode Island’s history, an equestrian sculpture of Ambrose Burnside has resided in downtown Providence since the late 1880s. While not one of the state’s most famous sites, it is a monument that is both significant and unique.
The History
Before discussing when the monument itself was created, let’s first dive into who Ambrose Burnside was himself. Born in 1824 in Indiana, Burnside first became known as a military officer in the US Army. After graduating from the US Military Academy, he traveled often and was a lieutenant in the Mexican-American War in the late 1840s. By 1852, he was assigned to Fort Adams in Newport, RI and a year later became a major general in the Rhode Island state militia.
By the time the American Civil War was underway, Burnside now led the first Rhode Island Infantry Regiment (essentially a military unit of troops that engaged in combat on foot) as a part of the Union army. He traveled a great deal throughout the war and took up various positions in other military departments. After the war, however, he returned back to Rhode Island and eventually became the state’s governor in a landslide race. Later in his life, he continued his political career as he was elected as a US Senator representing the state of Rhode Island. He was elected in the mid 1870s and served as a Senator until his death in 1881.
Burnside was remembered quite fondly at the time of his death from both his efforts in the Army and also his political leadership. While his contribution to the Union cause is well regarded today, some have criticized his military career and some of the actions he took during the Civil War. Some have claimed he was unfit for his role and questioned his authority particularly during one battle known as the Battle of Fredericksburg. Nonetheless, Burnside is generally thought of positively today and his monument that stands in commemoration today is seen as an important historical piece.
After Burnside’s death in 1881, a monument dedicated to him was commissioned also immediately thereafter. The monument was sculpted by Launt Thompson, a popular sculptor who has other works found today in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This was Thompson’s last major sculpture that he worked on and it took him several years to complete the project. It was completed in 1887 and received a celebratory dedication which included a march throughout Providence until it ended at the monument. The sculpture was made of Bronze, which represented Burnside’s military efforts when he led Rhode Island’s infantry regiment during the Civil War. The monument is commonly described as an equestrian statue as Burnside is depicted sitting upright while riding a horse. He is seen wearing a military uniform and holding a pair of binoculars as he looks off bravely in the distance. He is also rocking his signature facial hair in the monument, a look that actually has an important legacy of its own.
Fun Facts
It is clear Ambrose Burnside accomplished a lot during his lifetime, from his Army career, efforts in the American Civil War, and eventual political career that he pursued until his death. However, let’s forget about all that and redirect our focus to his unusual facial hair. Style and fashion choices obviously evolve over time, but even for his time Ambrose’s distinctive look was quite unique. As a result, some started referring to his facial hair as “burnsides.” Later on “burn” and “side” switched, now leaving us with the term “sideburns” used today. While most sideburns today are nowhere near as epic as those of the man for whom they were named after, it is certainly an interesting legacy that will live on for the foreseeable future.
As I mentioned earlier, the Ambrose Burnside Monument is found today in downtown Providence, a bustling location that has allowed for visitors across the world to stop by the site over the years. More specifically, though, the monument is found in Burnside Park, which includes another impressive landmark known as the Bajnotti Fountain as its centerpiece. You’ll never guess who this park was named after!
Simon Says
The equestrian statue of Ambrose Burnside is certainly an impressive monument. As someone who knows very little about the art of sculpting, coupled with the fact that I was quite young when I first visited the monument, I perhaps did not appreciate its beauty nor its history at first. However, I would still strongly suggest visiting the site if given the opportunity. Unlike other historical sites that might make for a day trip or at least a trip that lasts for several hours, I don’t think you need to dedicate too much of your time to this monument. That’s not to say it is not it isn’t a grand piece of art, though. The surrounding Burnside Park is also quite picturesque, especially if you can visit on a day with good weather. All in all, I would rate the Ambrose Burnside Monument a 7.5/10.
What are your opinions on Ambrose Burnside’s unique facial hair? Do you think it is a look that will make its way back into the mainstream again one day?
References
History staff. “Ambrose Burnside.” History, 21 Aug. 2018. https://www.history.com/topics/american-civil-war/ambrose-everett-burnside
Van Tilburg, Kees. “Ambrose Burnside.” Equestrian Statues, n.d. https://equestrianstatue.org/burnside-ambrose/