a US General Sideburns

Just a polite correction, Helen, for the sake of history, and etymology...Gen. Ambrose Burnside, Union Major General who superseded Gen. McClellan in command of the Army of the Potomac in November of 1862. Gen. Burnside is widely regarded as one of the most inept leaders in military history. (YCLIU) See the Battle of Fredericksburg where he kept sending assaults of the famed Irish Brigade, among others, to certain slaughter at Marye's Heights for one example; or his sending his forces over a small stone bridge into enfilading fire at Antietam for another.
Here's a good photo of Burnside (sans his trademark hat) for noting the unique style of whiskers he sported that gave rise to the word "sideburns" as Helen pointed out:

http://www.civil-war.net/images/links/ambroseburnside.jpg