Allegiance United States
Union Years of service 1861-1865 | Rank Brevet Major General Name Stephen Burbridge | |
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Nickname(s) "Butcher" Burbridge, "Butcher of Kentucky" Born August 19, 1831
Georgetown, Kentucky ( 1831-08-19 ) Battles/wars American Civil War
- Battle of Shiloh
- Battle of Fort Hindman
- Battle of Champion Hill
- Bayou Teche Campaign
- Battle of Bayou Bourbeux
- Battle of Mt. Sterling
- Battle of Cynthiana
- Battle of Saltville I Died December 2, 1894, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, United States Place of burial Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, United States Education Georgetown College, Kentucky Military Institute Battles and wars American Civil War, Battle of Shiloh, Battle of Champion Hill, Battle of Bayou Bourbeux, Battle of Cynthiana Service/branch United States Army, Union Army Similar People John Hunt Morgan, Thomas Green, Arthur W Radford | ||
Stephen G. Burbridge
Stephen Gano Burbridge (August 19, 1831 – December 2, 1894), also known as "Butcher" Burbridge or the "Butcher of Kentucky", was a controversial Union major general during the American Civil War.
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Early life
Burbridge was born in Georgetown, Kentucky. He attended college at Georgetown College and the Kentucky Military Institute in Frankfort, and subsequently became a lawyer.
Civil War
Upon the outbreak of the American Civil War, Burbridge formed his own Union regiment and joined the Union Army as a colonel.
After participating in several Civil War campaigns, including the successful final Battle of Cynthiana against John Hunt Morgan, Burbridge in June 1864 was given command over the state of Kentucky to deal with the growing problem of Confederate guerrilla campaigns. This began an extended period of military siege that would last through early 1865, beginning with martial law authorized by President Abraham Lincoln. On July 16, 1864, Burbridge issued Order No. 59 which declared: "Whenever an unarmed Union citizen is murdered, four guerrillas will be selected from the prison and publicly shot to death at the most convenient place near the scene of the outrages." During Burbridge's rule in Kentucky, he directed the execution and imprisonment of numerous people, including public figures, on charges of treason and other high crimes, many of which were baseless.
While continuing in charge of Kentucky, in October 1864, Burbridge led Union assaults against the salt works near the town of Saltville, Virginia as part of the Battle of Saltville. Burbridge controversially led black troops into battle, which ultimately failed. Wounded troops left behind were killed by Confederate soldiers, with special ire directed toward the black troops.
During the 1864 presidential campaign, Burbridge tried to ensure re-election of Lincoln, suppressing support for George B. McClellan. His actions included arresting prominent persons favoring the candidate, including Lieutenant Governor Richard T. Jacob, and Judge Bullitt, both of whom he deported to Richmond, Virginia.
After a falling out with Governor Thomas E. Bramlette, which included an attempt to take control of his troops and arms in February 1865, Burbridge was dismissed from his role of overseeing operations in Kentucky. Bramlette had quickly complained by telegram to Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, writing:
This unwarranted assumption of power by an imbecile commander is doubtless instigated by those who have long sought to provoke an issue with the State, and which I have prevented.
Lincoln revoked Burbridge's order, and decided to replace the general with Major General John Palmer. Burbridge soon resigned from the army.
Later years
Burbridge later moved to Brooklyn, New York, where he died. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.