Edward A . O ' Neal Edward Asbury O ' Neal ( September 20 , 1818 – November 7 , 1890 ) was a Confederate officer during the American Civil War and the 26th Governor of Alabama . Early life and career . O ' Neal was born in Madison County , Alabama , to Edward and Rebecca Wheat O ' Neal . His father was a native of Ireland , and his mother was a South Carolinian of French Huguenot ancestry . 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 the University of North Alabama ) in 1836 at the top of his class with the degree of bachelor of arts . In 1838 , he married Olivia Moore , the daughter of Dr . Alfred Moore , and they had nine children . O ' Neal studied law with James W . McClung and 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 was a strong believer in secession , and advocated that Alabama should secede during the secession crisis of 1860 . Civil War . In June 1861 , O ' Neal was commissioned as a captain and commanded three companies of soldiers . Upon reaching Richmond he was appointed major of the 9th Alabama Infantry regiment , and was promoted to lieutenant colonel in the fall . In March 1862 , he was appointed colonel of the 26th Alabama infantry , and commanded this regiment during the Peninsula Campaign . At the Battle of Seven Pines , his horse was killed under him , and he was severely wounded by a shell fragment . He received high praise for his performance at the Battle of Chancellorsville . In 1863 , he commanded a brigade in Maj . Gen . Robert E . Rodes ' s division , and led it at the Battle of Gettysburg and at the Battle of Mine Run . Early in 1864 , his regiment was sent back to Alabama to recruit its depleted ranks but was quickly ordered to Dalton , Georgia , where O ' Neal took command of Brig . Gen . James Cantey ' s brigade in the Army of Tennessee . O ' Neal commanded this brigade during the remainder of the Atlanta Campaign . After Lt . Gen . John Bell Hood was given command of the Army of Tennessee , O ' Neal was relieved and served on detached duty for the remainder of the war . He was appointed brigadier general on June 6 , 1863 , but this appointment was held up by Gen . Robert E . Lee and the promotion was canceled by Confederate President Jefferson 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 the Winfield Scott Hancock campaign for president , and made speeches throughout the state advocating Hancock ' s election . O ' Neal served as the Democratic Governor of Alabama from 1882 to 1886 . Death and legacy . O ' Neal died in Florence , Alabama . His son , Emmet O ' Neal , followed in his footsteps and served two terms as Governor of Alabama from 1911 to 1915 . The great granddaughter and granddaughter of the O ' Neals - Mrs . Lisa O ' Neal Reed - is married to the Mayor of Tupelo , Miss . - the Hon . Jack Reed , Jr .