Biography of General Edward Aylesworth Perry

Although born in Massachusetts, General Edward Perry is best associated with the state of Florida because of his long period of time spent as commander of the Army of Northern Virginia's Florida brigade.

Born in Richmond, Massachusetts on March 15, 1831, Perry entered Yale in 1850, but withdrew within a year to study law and teach school in Alabama. He moved to Pensacola, Florida in 1857 and practiced law there. He then enlisted as a captain, commanding company A of the 2nd Florida Infantry. By May 1862, he was that unit's colonel.

Perry was severely wounded at the battle of Frayser's Farm during the Seven Days. He was promoted to general to rank from August 28, 1862.

He led the "Florida" brigade -- the only regiments in the Army of Northern Virginia from that state -- at the battle of Chancellorsville. However, he then contracted typhoid fever. Thus, he missed the battle of Gettysburg. He returned to the army, however, and commanded his brigade during the "Overland Campaign." In the battle of the Wilderness, Perry was again wounded on May 6. He was bleeding so severely that he had to be helped down from his horse. He was back with the army in early September, but his wound made it impossible for him to serve on foot in the trenches around Petersburg. This led to Perry being assigned in late September to reserve duty in Alabama.

Perry returned to Florida and rose to prominence with the Florida bar. He then turned to politics. He was elected the governor of his adopted state of Florida in 1884 as an outspoken opponent of carpet bag rule.

At the end of his governor's term, Perry returned to private life. He died suddenly of a stroke on October 15, 1889 while visiting Kerrville, Texas. He was buried in Pensacola in St. John's Cemetery.