Burbridge, Stephen Gano, 1831-1894

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Burbridge was born on August 19, 1831 in Georgetown, Kentucky. He attended Georgetown College and the Kentucky Military Institute in Frankfort. Afterward he apprenticed with an established law firm and subsequently became a lawyer. He also had a large plantation.

Upon the outbreak of the American Civil War, Burbridge organized the 26th Kentucky Infantry Regiment and joined the Union Army as the regiment`s colonel.

After serving as brigade commander in several campaigns, and winning the Battle of Cynthiana against John Hunt Morgan, in June 1864 Burbridge was given command of the District of Kentucky to deal with the growing problem of Confederate guerrilla campaigns. He imposed martial law, authorized by President Abraham Lincoln. His command was likened by some residents to an extended period of military siege that would last through early 1865.

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 imprisonment and execution of numerous people, including public figures, on charges of treason and other high crimes. His opponents said that many of these 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 first Battle of Saltville. Their attack did not succeed. Among his forces were black cavalry, later organized that fall as the 5th United States Colored Cavalry Regiment. A number of wounded cavalry were murdered on the battlefield by Confederate soldiers and guerrillas from Tennessee; others were killed while being treated at a field hospital set up at Emory and Henry College. These related incidents were known as the Saltville Massacre, a war crime for which Champ Ferguson was prosecuted in October 1865 and sentenced to death by hanging.

During the 1864 presidential campaign, Burbridge tried to ensure re-election of Lincoln, by suppressing support in Kentucky for Democratic candidate 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.

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 commander 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. He replaced him with Major General John Palmer. Burbridge soon resigned from the army.

After the war, Burbridge moved to Brooklyn, New York. He died there on December 2, 1894. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896,. Civil War Manuscripts, 1854-1868. Porterville Public Library
referencedIn Philip Case Lockwood memorial collection of Civil War portraits and autographs, 1862-ca. 1886. Houghton Library
referencedIn Speed family. Speed family papers, 1813-1981. The Filson Historical Society
referencedIn John Mason Brown, 1837-1890. John Mason Brown (1837-1890) papers, 1862-1864 The Filson Historical Society
referencedIn Hathaway family. Hathaway family papers, 1817-1954 1865-1954. University of Kentucky Libraries
creatorOf Barriger, John W. (John Walker), 1832-1906. The John W. Barriger papers, 1864-1867. U.S. Army Heritage & Education Center
referencedIn Record Group 94: Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1762 - 1984 Series: Letters Received, 1863 - 1894 File Unit: Consolidated File for Major General Stephen G. Burbridge, U.S. Volunteers National Archives at Washington, D.C
creatorOf Burbridge, Stephen G. (Stephen Gano), 1831-1894. Stephen Gano Burbridge : papers, 1862-1865. The Filson Historical Society
referencedIn Record Group 94: Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1762 - 1984 Series: Carded Records Relating to Civil War Staff Officers, 1890 - 1912 File Unit: Burbridge, Stephen G. -- Brigadier General National Archives at Washington, D.C
creatorOf Burbridge, Stephen G. (Stephen Gano), 1831-1894. Stephen Gano Burbridge letters, 1862-1865 [microform]. University of Kentucky Libraries
referencedIn Record Group 94: Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1762 - 1984 Series: Letters Received, 1871 - 1894 File Unit: Consolidated Military Officer's File of General Stephen G. Burbridge, Volunteers National Archives at Washington, D.C
creatorOf Burbridge, Stephen Gano, 1831-1894. Autograph letter signed : [n.p.], to the President, [n.d.]. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Allen, Theodore F., 1842-1919. Civil War Diaries 1864-1865. The Filson Historical Society
referencedIn Scott, John, 1767-1847. John Scott papers, 1821-1915 1821-1884 (bulk dates). University of Kentucky Libraries
referencedIn Autographs of Civil War generals, [ca. 186-]. Ohio History Connection, Ohio Historical Society
referencedIn Ranney, William W., b. 1830. William W. Ranney papers, 1858-1927 1858-1895 (bulk dates). University of Kentucky Libraries
referencedIn Frederick M. Dearborn collection of military and political Americana, Part III: The Civil War: The Union, 1804-1915. Houghton Library
referencedIn Smith, Dabney Howard, 1821-1889. Dabney Howard Smith : miscellaneous papers, 1847-1926. The Filson Historical Society
referencedIn Carrington Family papers, 1749-1929 Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
referencedIn Frederick M. Dearborn collection of military and political Americana, Part III: The Civil War: The Union, 1804-1915. Houghton Library
referencedIn Smith, E. Hubbard, 1827-1890. E. Hubbard Smith : added papers, 1818-1907. The Filson Historical Society
creatorOf Burbridge, Stephen G. (Stephen Gano), 1831-1894. Stephen G. Burbridge papers, 1863-1864. Duke University Libraries, Duke University Library; Perkins Library
Role Title Holding Repository
contributorOf Record Group 94: Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1762 - 1984 Series: Letters Received, 1805 - 1889 File Unit: 1864 - Burbridge, S G - File No. B1391 National Archives at Washington, D.C
contributorOf Record Group 94: Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1762 - 1984 Series: Letters Received, 1805 - 1889 File Unit: 1865 - Burbridge, S G - File No. B1137 National Archives at Washington, D.C
contributorOf Record Group 94: Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1762 - 1984 Series: Letters Received, 1805 - 1889 File Unit: 1864 - Burbridge, S G - File No. B619 National Archives at Washington, D.C
contributorOf Record Group 94: Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1762 - 1984 Series: Letters Received, 1805 - 1889 File Unit: 1864 - Burbridge, S G - File No. B1629 National Archives at Washington, D.C
contributorOf Record Group 94: Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1762 - 1984 Series: Letters Received, 1805 - 1889 File Unit: 1864 - Burbridge, S G - File No. B1394 National Archives at Washington, D.C
contributorOf Record Group 94: Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1762 - 1984 Series: Letters Received, 1805 - 1889 File Unit: 1865 - Burbridge, S G - File No. B1149 National Archives at Washington, D.C
contributorOf Record Group 94: Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1762 - 1984 Series: Letters Received, 1805 - 1889 File Unit: 1864 - Burbridge, S G - File No. B1409 National Archives at Washington, D.C
contributorOf Record Group 94: Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1762 - 1984 Series: Letters Received, 1805 - 1889 File Unit: 1865 - Burbridge, S G - File No. B196 National Archives at Washington, D.C
referencedIn Record Group 94: Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1762 - 1984 Series: Carded Records Showing Military Service of Soldiers Who Fought in Volunteer Organizations During the American Civil War, 1890 - 1912 File Unit: Burbridge, Stephen G - Age [Blank], Year: 1861 - Misc Card Abstracts of Records, Twenty-fourth Infantry and Twenty-fifth Infantry and Twenty-sixth Infantry, A-I National Archives at Washington, D.C
contributorOf Record Group 94: Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1762 - 1984 Series: Letters Received, 1805 - 1889 File Unit: 1868 - Burbridge, S G - File No. B676 National Archives at Washington, D.C
contributorOf Record Group 94: Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1762 - 1984 Series: Letters Received, 1805 - 1889 File Unit: 1864 - Burbridge, S G - File No. B1528 National Archives at Washington, D.C
contributorOf Record Group 94: Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1762 - 1984 Series: Letters Received, 1863 - 1917 File Unit: Consolidated Military Officer's File of L G Burbridge, Kentucky, 1865 National Archives at Washington, D.C
contributorOf Record Group 94: Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1762 - 1984 Series: Letters Received, 1805 - 1889 File Unit: 1882 - File No. 67 - Burbridge, S G - District of Columbia National Archives at Washington, D.C
contributorOf Record Group 94: Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1762 - 1984 Series: Letters Received, 1805 - 1889 File Unit: 1864 - Burbridge, S G - File No. B1450 National Archives at Washington, D.C
contributorOf Record Group 94: Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1762 - 1984 Series: Letters Received, 1805 - 1889 File Unit: 1864 - Burbridge, S G - File No. B1208 National Archives at Washington, D.C
contributorOf Record Group 94:Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1762 - 1984 Series: Letters Received, 1805 - 1889 File Unit: 1881 - File No. 254 - Burbridge, S G National Archives at Washington, D.C
contributorOf Record Group 94: Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1762 - 1984 Series: Letters Received, 1805 - 1889 File Unit: 1864 - Burbridge, S G - File No. B840 National Archives at Washington, D.C
contributorOf Record Group 94: Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1762 - 1984 Series: Letters Received, 1805 - 1889 File Unit: 1864 - Burbridge, S G - File No. B1449 National Archives at Washington, D.C
contributorOf Record Group 94: Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1762 - 1984 Series: Letters Received, 1805 - 1889 File Unit: 1880 - File No. 1792 (Burbridge, S G - Michigan) National Archives at Washington, D.C
contributorOf Record Group 94: Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1762 - 1984 Series: Letters Received, 1805 - 1889 File Unit: 1865 - Burbridge, S G - File No. B530 National Archives at Washington, D.C
contributorOf Record Group 94: Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1762 - 1984 Series: Letters Received, 1863 - 1917 File Unit: Consolidated Military Officer's File of S G Burbridge, District of Columbia, 1865 National Archives at Washington, D.C
contributorOf Record Group 94: Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1762 - 1984 Series: Letters Received, 1805 - 1889 File Unit: 1864 - Burbridge, S G - File No. B741 National Archives at Washington, D.C
referencedIn Record Group 94: Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1762 - 1984 Series: Carded Records Showing Military Service of Soldiers Who Fought in Volunteer Organizations During the American Civil War, 1890 - 1912 File Unit: Burbridge, Stephen G - Age 30, Year: 1862 - Twenty-sixth Infantry, Br-Co National Archives at Washington, D.C
contributorOf Record Group 94: Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1762 - 1984 Series: Letters Received, 1805 - 1889 File Unit: 1864 - Burbridge, S G - File No. W2033 National Archives at Washington, D.C
contributorOf Record Group 94: Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1762 - 1984 Series: Letters Received, 1805 - 1889 File Unit: 1863 - Burbridge, S G - File No. B1394 National Archives at Washington, D.C
contributorOf Record Group 94: Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1762 - 1984 Series: Letters Received, 1863 - 1917 File Unit: Burbridge, S G - Kentucky - 1864 National Archives at Washington, D.C
contributorOf Record Group 94: Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1762 - 1984 Series: Letters Received, 1805 - 1889 File Unit: 1864 - Burbridge, S G - File No. B1321 National Archives at Washington, D.C
contributorOf Record Group 94: Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1762 - 1984 Series: Letters Received, 1805 - 1889 File Unit: 1864 - Burbridge, S G - File No. B715 National Archives at Washington, D.C
contributorOf Record Group 94: Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1762 - 1984 Series: Letters Received, 1805 - 1889 File Unit: 1864 - Burbridge, S G - File No. B1483 National Archives at Washington, D.C
contributorOf Record Group 94: Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1762 - 1984 Series: Letters Received, 1805 - 1889 File Unit: 1865 - Burbridge, S G - File No. B98 National Archives at Washington, D.C
contributorOf Record Group 94: Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1762 - 1984 Series: Letters Received, 1805 - 1889 File Unit: 1864 - Burbridge, S G - File No. B1078 National Archives at Washington, D.C
contributorOf Record Group 94: Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1762 - 1984 Series: Letters Received, 1805 - 1889 File Unit: 1864 - Burbridge, S G - File No. B418 National Archives at Washington, D.C
contributorOf Record Group 94: Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1762 - 1984 Series: Letters Received, 1805 - 1889 File Unit: 1864 - Burbridge, S G - File No. B149 National Archives at Washington, D.C
contributorOf Record Group 94: Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1762 - 1984 Series: Letters Received, 1805 - 1889 File Unit: 1888 - File No. 4495 - Burbridge, S G - District of Columbia National Archives at Washington, D.C
contributorOf Record Group 94: Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1762 - 1984 Series: Letters Received, 1863 - 1917 File Unit: Consolidated Military Officer's File of S G Burbridge, Kentucky, 1864 National Archives at Washington, D.C
contributorOf Record Group 94: Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1762 - 1984 Series: Letters Received, 1805 - 1889 File Unit: 1864 - Burbridge, S G - File No. B823 National Archives at Washington, D.C
Relation Name
associatedWith Allen, Theodore F., 1842-1919. person
associatedWith Barriger, John W. (John Walker), 1832-1906. person
associatedWith Breckinridge, Robert J. (Robert Jefferson), 1800-1871. person
associatedWith Burbridge, O. H., 1821- person
associatedWith Carrington family family
associatedWith Carrington family. family
associatedWith Carrington family. family
associatedWith Clay, Brutus J. (Brutus Junius), 1808-1878. person
associatedWith Dearborn, Frederick M. (Frederick Myers), b. 1876 person
alumnusOrAlumnaOf Georgetown College (Georgetown, Ky.) corporateBody
associatedWith Hathaway family. person
associatedWith Herron, Francis Jay, 1837-1902. person
associatedWith John Mason Brown, 1837-1890 person
associatedWith Kentucky. Governor (1863-1867 : Bramlette) corporateBody
alumnusOrAlumnaOf Kentucky Military Institute (1845-1971) corporateBody
associatedWith Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865. person
associatedWith Lockwood, Philip Case, 1844-1897 person
associatedWith McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, person
associatedWith Morgan, John Hunt, 1825-1864. person
associatedWith Ranney, William W., b. 1830. person
associatedWith Scott, John, 1767-1847. person
associatedWith Smith, Dabney Howard, 1821-1889. person
associatedWith Smith, E. Hubbard, 1827-1890. person
associatedWith Speed family. person
associatedWith United States. Army corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Army. Artillery. corporateBody
memberOf United States. Army. District of Kentucky. corporateBody
associatedWith United States. Army. District of Kentucky. corporateBody
leaderOf United States. Army. Kentucky Infantry Regiment, 26th (1861-1865) corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
Georgetown KY US
Mount Sterling KY US
Frankfort KY US
Smyth County VA US
Shiloh TN US
Brooklyn NY US
Mississippi MS US
Georgetown KY US
Louisiana LA US
Arkansas Post AR US
Subject
African Americans
Atlanta Campaign, 1864
Champion Hill, Battle of, Miss., 1863
Civil War, 1861-1865
Cynthiana (Ky.), Battle of, 1864
Governor
Martial law
Morgan's Ohio Raid, 1863
Shiloh, Battle of, Tenn., 1862
Occupation
Lawyers
Soldiers
Activity

Person

Birth 1831-08-19

Death 1894-12-02

Male

Americans

English

Information

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Ark ID: w61z44bf

SNAC ID: 25414887