U.S. Congressman. Born in Blacksburg, Virginia, he graduated from Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1838 and commenced to practice law in Salem, Virginia. In 1849, he was elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-first Congress and to the next five succeeding Congresses, serving until 1861. On May 22, 1856, he accompanied the infamous US congressman Preston Brooks when he brutally attacked anti-slavery senator Charles Sumner on the floor of the United States Senate with his cane. A unsuccessful resolution to censure Edmundson was introduced for his cowardly involvement in the incident along with Brooks and US Congressman Laurence M. Keitt (another accomplice) that held back other senators at gunpoint; while Brooks beat Sumner nearly to death with a heavy metal cane. During the Civil War, he served as a Lieutenant Colonel in command of the 27th Virginia Cavalry, Confederate Army. After the war, he resumed the practice of law and engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death at age 76 in Shawsville, Virginia.
U.S. Congressman. Born in Blacksburg, Virginia, he graduated from Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1838 and commenced to practice law in Salem, Virginia. In 1849, he was elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-first Congress and to the next five succeeding Congresses, serving until 1861. On May 22, 1856, he accompanied the infamous US congressman Preston Brooks when he brutally attacked anti-slavery senator Charles Sumner on the floor of the United States Senate with his cane. A unsuccessful resolution to censure Edmundson was introduced for his cowardly involvement in the incident along with Brooks and US Congressman Laurence M. Keitt (another accomplice) that held back other senators at gunpoint; while Brooks beat Sumner nearly to death with a heavy metal cane. During the Civil War, he served as a Lieutenant Colonel in command of the 27th Virginia Cavalry, Confederate Army. After the war, he resumed the practice of law and engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death at age 76 in Shawsville, Virginia.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
Family Members
Half Siblings
Advertisement
See more Edmundson memorials in:
Advertisement
