Edward Aylesworth Perry

Background

Edward Aylesworth was born on March 15, 1831, in Richmond, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, United States. He was the son of Asa Perry, a farmer, and his wife Philura Aylesworth.

Education

Edward attended Richmond Academy and left Yale College (now Yale University) in 1851. After a brief sojourn in Alabama, he studied law.

Career

Edward Aylesworth Perry began the practice law in 1857 in Pensacola, Florida.

At the coming of the Civil War, he abandoned his law practice, raised Company A of the 2nd Florida Infantry, and became the captain. His regiment was a part of Lee's army in Virginia, and upon the death of its commander, he was promoted to the rank of colonel in May 1862. He was badly wounded at the Battle of Frayser's Farm and was invalided home. He was appointed brigadier-general in August 1862 and, upon his return to active duty, took command of the little brigade of three Florida regiments, which he continued to lead throughout the war.

After the battle of Chancellorsville, Perry had typhoid fever and was again forced to retire from active service, thus missing the Gettysburg campaign. He returned to duty and led his brigade in Lee's defensive campaign until May 1864, when he was severely wounded in the Wilderness fighting and again forced to give up the service. During his absence, his decimated brigade was condensed into a regiment and consolidated with another brigade. Upon his recovery, he was assigned to duty with the reserves in Alabama.

At the end of the war, he resumed the practice of his profession at Pensacola and soon acquired a wide reputation as a lawyer. In 1884 he was elected governor of Florida on the Democratic ticket, his selection being due largely to his fame as a soldier.

At the end of his administration, Edward retired to private life and died as the result of a stroke of paralysis while visiting in Kerrville, Texas.

Achievements

• Edward Aylesworth Perry fought with distinction for the Confederacy, rising from the rank of Brigadier General. He was also the 14th Governor of Florida, his administration was a successful one but not distinguished for any great achievements; it was rendered memorable in state annals by the yellow fever ravages at Jacksonville and the disastrous St. Augustine fire. During his term of office, he helped to write a new state constitution.

Religion

Edward was a Mason and a Presbyterian.

Politics

Perry was without political affiliation before the war. Then he became active in Democratic politics throughout Reconstruction.

Connections

On February 1, 1859, Perry married Wathen Taylor. They had five children.

Father:

Asa Perry

Mother:

Philura Aylesworth Perry

Wife:

Wathen Virginia Taylor Perry

1837-1916

Son:

Edward Wathan Perry

1866-1916

References

• Confederate Colonels: A Biographical Register
  2008
• More Generals in Gray
  1995
• Civil War High Commands
  2002
• Who Was Who in the Civil War
  1988
• Generals in Gray: Lives of the Confederate Commanders
  2006
• Biographical Dictionary of the Confederacy
  1977