These short side-whiskers were originally named after the American Federal General Ambrose Everett Burnside (1824-81) who sported the peculiar whiskers.
He served in the regular artillery and in 1849 was wounded in a fight with Apaches in the New Mexico Territory. He resigned in 1853 to manufacture his breech-loading carbine but was forced into bankruptcy when he failed to gain a government contract.
During this time he served as a major general in the state militia. With the outbreak of the Civil War he raised a regiment and served in many different commands, across America. Abraham Lincoln was fond of Burnside and twice offered him command of the Army of Potomac.
After and long and semi-successful military career, he eventually resigned from the service in April 1865.
Burnside’s other claims to fame include his civilian successes as an engineer, business manager, three time governor of Rhode Island and US Senator.
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