Edward Edmonds facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Edward Claxton Edmonds
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Edward Edmonds, ca. 1862
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| Born | January 21, 1835 Paris, Virginia |
| Died | July 3, 1863 (aged 28) Gettysburg, Pennsylvania |
| Buried |
Hollywood Cemetery
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| Allegiance |  Confederate States of America |
| Service/ |
 Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1861-1863 (CSA) |
| Rank |  Colonel |
| Commands held | 38th Virginia Infantry |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Edward Claxton Edmonds (born January 21, 1835 – died July 3, 1863) was an American military teacher. He became a colonel in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War. He led the 38th Virginia Infantry regiment. Colonel Edmonds was killed near Gettysburg while leading his troops during a famous attack called Pickett's Charge.
Early Life and Education
Edward Claxton Edmonds was born in Paris, Virginia. His parents were Dr. John Edmonds and Ellen Carter Edmonds. In the 1850s, his family lived in Alexandria. In September 1854, Edward started studying at the Virginia Military Institute. He graduated on July 4, 1858. Out of his class of 19 cadets, eight later died in the Civil War.
After graduating, Edmonds taught math for about a year in Staunton. On December 29, 1858, he married Margaret Tutwiler. They moved to Danville, where Edmonds helped start the Danville Military Institute. In May 1860, Edward and Margaret had a daughter named Molly.
Service in the Civil War
When Virginia decided to leave the Union, Edward Edmonds went to Richmond. He offered to help Governor John Letcher. The governor asked him to go back to Danville. His task was to recruit an infantry regiment. Edmonds quickly gathered a regiment by June 12. They traveled by train back to Richmond. On July 1, this group officially joined the Confederate Army. It was named the 38th Virginia Infantry. Edmonds became the colonel, or leader, of this new regiment.
Early Battles
The 38th Virginia Infantry first joined the Confederate Army of the Shenandoah. This army was led by Joseph E. Johnston. Later, Edmonds's regiment moved to Manassas. They arrived after the First Battle of Bull Run.
In late 1861 and early 1862, Edmonds's regiment was part of Jubal Early's brigade. In May 1862, they fought in the Battle of Williamsburg. On May 31, Edmonds was hurt during the Battle of Seven Pines. He was injured again on July 1 at the Battle of Malvern Hill. In September 1862, his regiment fought in the Battle of Antietam. In December, they were at the Battle of Fredericksburg. In the spring of 1862, the regiment went on an expedition to Suffolk. Because of this, they missed the Battle of Chancellorsville.
Battle of Gettysburg
On the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg, Edmonds's regiment took part in Pickett's Charge. This was a very large attack. His regiment was part of the Armistead Brigade. They were on the far left side of their brigade.
As another division on their left began to retreat, Edmonds's regiment was in danger. Enemies could attack them from the side. Colonel Edmonds decided to turn his regiment to protect their flank. At that moment, he was shot in the head and killed.
Command of the regiment then went to Major Joseph Cabbell. The previous second-in-command, Lieutenant-Colonel Powhatan Whittle, was already wounded. Major Cabbell could not get the regiment into position. He ordered them to retreat. During the retreat, the regiment's flag was lost. Soldiers from the 8th Ohio Infantry picked it up.
After Edmonds's death, his brigade thought he might have been captured. They sent a request to the military department. They wanted him to be appointed as the new brigade commander. This was because Armistead, the previous commander, had died.
The exact place where Edmonds was buried is not known. However, it is believed he was reburied in 1872. This happened at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond. Many other Confederate soldiers from the Gettysburg battlefield were also moved there.
