He attended Georgetown College and Kentucky Military Institute, then practiced law and engaged in farming. He was commissioned Colonel of the 26th Kentucky (Union) Infantry on August 27, 1861, and Brigadier General of Volunteers to rank from June 9, 1862.

He took part in the battle of Shiloh and commanded a Brigade in the XIII Corps in the expedition which reduced Post of Arkansas and also in the Vicksburg Campaign. Early in 1864 he succeeded General Jeremiah T. Boyle in command of District of Kentucky. He was moderately successful in the field - he was, for example, awarded a brevet of Major General on July 4, 1864, for repulsing John M. Morgan's abortive invasion of the state -but his administration of Kentucky earned him the enmity of the duly constituted civil authorities as well as of the populace. Relieved from his command in January 1865, he resigned his commission in December.

After the Civil War he and family were socially and financially ostracized. He died at Brooklyn, New York, December 2, 1894 and was buried in Section 1 of Arlington National Cemetery.

BURBRIDGE, STEPHEN G
GEN US VOLS CW
DATE OF DEATH: 11/30/1894
BURIED AT: SECTION WSIDE  SITE 666
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY