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 COLONEL OLIVER EVANS EDWARDS
Born November 9,
1819 in Spartanburg District, SC
Died June 21, 1863
at Goldsboro, NC
O. E. Edwards was
born in Spartanburg but his family moved to Cass County,
Ga. when young Oliver was about 12 years old. Some time
in the 1840s he returned to his native State, attended
school and studied law. As a lawyer, it is said he was
prompt, decisive, indefatigable, and always looking out
for is client.
In 1850 he was
elected colonel of the 36th Regiment, S.C.M.,
four years later chosen as the brigadier-general of the
9th Brigade, S.C.M., and served three terms
in the state House of Representatives.
Colonel Micah
Jenkins had just formed the 5th SC Regiment
and was sent to Virginia when Edwards joined him as a
volunteer. He was at the Battle of Manassas and then
after a few weeks returned to Spartanburg to raise the
13th SC Regiment. He was elected colonel of
the regiment, leading first around Charleston, and then
in Virginia.
Edwards’s regiment
never faltered under his leadership. Around Charleston,
they were stationed at Lightwood Knot Springs and
Pocotaligo. They also saw action at Gaines Mill,
Frasyer’s Farm, Second Manassas, Sharpsburg,
Shepherdstown, and Fredericksburg. At the battle of
Second Manassas, Edwards was wounded slightly but
recovered. The regiment then fought at
Chancellorsville.
It was at
Chancellorsville, on the morning after Jackson’s famous
flank mark on Hooker’s right and rear, that General
Samuel McGowan’s was taken wounded from he field and
Edwards assumed command of the brigade. The enemy had
just been driven from the Confederate works and the
brigade was holding against a furious charge for their
recapture. One soldier recalled Edwards, saying, “He was
walking dauntlessly on top of the breastworks a
conspicuous mark for the enemy’s bullets, one of which
did not long shun the mark.”
After Edwards was
wounded on May 3rd he lived until June 21st,
cared for by his wife. In an effort to return him to
his home, he grew weaker and was removed from a train at
Goldsboro, NC. He was carried to the home of a friend
where he died after a few days.
 Colonel
O. E. Edwards is interred at
Oakwood Cemetery in
Spartanburg, SC.
submitted by Ron
Crawley, Camp #68
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