Edward A. O'Neal

For those of a similar name, seeEdward O'Neill (disambiguation).

Edward Asbury O'Neal
26thGovernor of Alabama
In office December 1, 1882 – December 1, 1886
Preceded by	Rufus W. Cobb
Succeeded by	Thomas Seay
Personal details
Born	September 20, 1818 Madison County, Alabama,US
Died	November 7, 1890 (aged 72) Florence, Alabama,US
Political party	Democratic
Military service
Allegiance	Confederate States of America
Branch/service	Confederate States Army
Rank	Colonel
Unit	9th Regiment Alabama Infantry
Commands	26th Alabama Infantry
Battles/wars	American Civil War

Edward Asbury O'Neal(September 20, 1818 – November 7, 1890) was aConfederateofficer during theAmerican Civil Warand the26th Governor of Alabama.

Early life and career

O'Neal was born inMadison County, Alabama,to Edward and Rebecca Wheat O'Neal. His father was a native ofIreland,and his mother was a South Carolinian of FrenchHuguenotancestry.O'Neal's father died when his son was three months old. After receiving an academic education, including English literature and the classics, O'Neal graduated from LaGrange College (the predecessor of theUniversity of North Alabama) in 1836 at the top of his class with a bachelor of arts.In 1838, he married Olivia Moore, the daughter of Dr. Alfred Moore, and they had nine children.O'Neal studied law withJames W. McClungand was admitted to the bar in 1840.

In 1841 O'Neal was elected to Alabama's fourth judicial circuit to fill out an unexpired term and served four years. He strongly believed insecessionand advocated that Alabama should secede from the United States during the secession crisis of 1860.

Civil War

In June 1861, O'Neal was commissioned as acaptainand commanded three companies of soldiers. Upon reachingRichmond,he was appointedmajorof the9th Regiment Alabama Infantryand was promoted tolieutenant colonelin the fall.In March 1862, he was appointedcolonelof the 26th Alabama infantry; he commanded this regiment during thePeninsula Campaign.At theBattle of Seven Pines,his horse was killed under him, and a shell fragment severely wounded him. He received high praise for his performance at theBattle of Chancellorsville.In 1863, he commanded a brigade inMaj. Gen.Robert E. Rodes's division, and led it at theBattle of Gettysburg,Battle of Manassas Gap,and at theBattle of Mine Run.Early in 1864, his regiment was sent back to Alabama to recruit its depleted ranks but was quickly ordered toDalton, Georgia,where O'Neal took command ofBrig. Gen.James Cantey's brigade in theArmy of Tennessee.O'Neal commanded this brigade during the remainder of theAtlanta Campaign.AfterLt. Gen.John Bell Hoodwas given command of the Army of Tennessee, O'Neal was relieved and served on detached duty for the remainder of the war. He was appointedbrigadier generalon June 6, 1863. However, this appointment was held up by Gen.Robert E. Lee.The promotion was canceled byConfederate PresidentJefferson Davis.

Postbellum career

After the war, O'Neal resumed his law career. In August 1875, he was elected to the Alabama Constitutional Convention and served in that convention as chairman of the Committee on Education. In 1880, O'Neal was an elector on theWinfield Scott Hancockcampaign for president and made speeches throughout the state advocating Hancock's election. O'Neal served as theDemocraticgovernor of Alabama from 1882 to 1886.

Death and legacy

O'Neal died inFlorence, Alabama.His son,Emmet O'Neal,followed in his footsteps and served two terms asGovernor of Alabamafrom 1911 to 1915.The O'Neal Bridge, spanning theTennessee Riverbetween Florence andSheffield, Alabama,is named in his honor.

See also

• List of American Civil War Generals (Acting Confederate)

References

• Brown, William Garrott, and Albert James Pickett.A History of Alabama, for Use in Schools: Based as to Its Earlier Parts on the Work of Albert J. Pickett.New York: University Publishing Co., 1900.OCLC654938664.
• Eicher, John H., andDavid J. Eicher,Civil War High Commands.Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2001.ISBN978-0-8047-3641-1.
• McDonald, William Lindsey.Walk Through the Past - People and Places of Florence and Lauderdale County, Alabama.Killen, AL: Heart of Dixie Publishing, 2003.ISBN0-9719945-6-0.
• Sifakis, Stewart.Who Was Who in the Civil War.New York: Facts On File, 1988.ISBN978-0-8160-1055-4.
• Warner, Ezra J.Generals in Gray: Lives of the Confederate Commanders.Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1959.ISBN978-0-8071-0823-9.
• White, J. T.National Cyclopaedia of American Biography.New York: J. T. White, 1900.
• National Governors Association biography