Edward Asbury O'Neal

Residence Florence AL;
Enlisted on 6/20/1861 as a Captain.

On 6/20/1861 he was commissioned into "I" Co. AL 9th Infantry
He was discharged for promotion on 4/2/1862 at Richmond, VA

On 4/2/1862 he was commissioned into Field & Staff AL 26th Infantry
(date and method of discharge not given)
(His unit was stationed at Andersonville Prison)

He was listed as:
* Wounded 9/10/1862 Boonsboro, MD

Promotions:
* Major 6/26/1861
* Lt Col 10/21/1861
* Colonel 4/2/1862
* Brig-Gen 6/6/1863 (Commission not delivered)

Intra Regimental Company Transfers:
* 6/26/1861 from company I to Field & Staff

Other Information:
born 9/20/1818 in Madison County, AL
died 11/7/1890 in Florence, AL

Sources used by Historical Data Systems, Inc.:
- Index to Compiled Confederate Military Service Records
- Field Officers, Regiments & Battalions of CS Army
- Confederate Military History
- Photo courtesy of Massachusetts Commandery of MOLLUS

NOTES:

Brigadier-General Edward Asbury O'Neal was born in Madison
county, Ala., in 1818. His father, Edward O'Neal, was a
native of Ireland, and his mother was Miss Rebecca Wheat, a
member of one of the Huguenot families of South Carolina.

They moved to Alabama and settled in Madison county soon after
their marriage. When Edward Asbury was but three months old
his father died. His mother was a lady of much force of
character and managed her affairs well, giving to both her
boys, Basil and Edward, a good education, and equipping them
well for the battle of life.

Edward graduated at LaGrange college with the first honors of
his class in 1836. He read law in the office of Hon. James W.
McClung, was admitted to the bar in 1840, and located at
Florence. In 1841 he was elected solicitor of the Fourth
judicial circuit and served four years.

From that time forward, for many years, he devoted himself
almost exclusively to the study of law. He was a strong
believer in the right and advisability of secession. When
that policy was adopted and resulted in war, he proved his
faith by works, and was prompt to take up arms to make it a
success.

He raised a company for the Ninth Alabama, of which regiment
he was elected major, and commissioned June 26, 1861. In the
fall he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel (October 21, 1861).
He received another promotion in March, 1862, as colonel of
the Twenty-sixth Alabama, when in Richmond. The commission,
however, was not made out until April 2nd.

He led this regiment at Yorktown, Williamsburg, Seven Pines
and the battles around Richmond. At Seven Pines he had a
horse killed under him, and was himself severely injured by a
fragment of shell. During the advance into Maryland he
commanded Rodes' brigade until two days before the battle of
Boonsboro, when he was relieved and returned to the command of
his regiment.

In this battle he received a very painful wound in the thigh.
During the winter he again reported for duty and took command
of the brigade. He led the brigade at Chancellorsville,
Gettysburg and Mine Run, General Rodes having been put in
command of the division.

Early in 1864 his regiment was sent back to Alabama to
recruit, but was not permitted to long remain idle, being
ordered to Dalton and placed in Cantey's brigade. General
Cantey being now in charge of the division, Colonel O'Neal led
his brigade through the battles and marches of the Atlanta
campaign until after the removal of General Johnston.

Soon after that event Colonel O'Neal was relieved and during
the rest of the war served on detached duty. A commission of
brigadier- general was during this time issued to him, bearing
date, June 6, 1863; but on account of the irregularity of the
mails, he never received it, though acting in that capacity
for the last year and a half of the war.

Just four years from the time that he had left Florence for
the war he returned home. He resumed the practice of law, and
also took much interest in political matters. In 1874 he
entered the political fight which resulted in the restoration
of the Democratic party to the control of the State.

In 1875 he was elected to the constitutional convention, and
was chairman of the committee on education. In 1880 he was an
elector on the Hancock ticket, and in 1882 was elected
governor of Alabama. In 1884 he was re-elected. His
administration throughout was highly commended.

Retiring from the highest office in the gift of his State, he
resumed his residence at Florence and the practice of law, and
was actively engaged in a number of enterprises looking to the
development of his region of the State, until his death,
November 7, 1891.

Source: Confederate Military History, vol. VIII, p. 433