Person:Andrew Edmondson (1)

From a Memphis, Tennessee newspaper - 1872

Captain Andrew Jackson Edmondson Sketch of his Life.

         The death of a citizen who, for more than three quarters of a century, has performed his part with honor to himself and with profit to the generation in which he lived, should not be permitted to pass without a tribute befitting his character, his services to his country, and his usefulness to his family, his neighbor, and countrymen.

Captain Andrew Jackson Edmondson, was born in Davidson County, Tennessee, six miles from Nashville, on the 3rd of April, 1793. He was the first child born in the State who was named in honor of the illustrious hero of the Hermitage, whom he followed to the tented field, as soon as he arrived at an age when he was able to carry a musket and discharge the duties of a soldier. Under the leadership of Jackson, he engaged in the campaign at Pensacola, the campaigns against the Creeks, and the last campaign against the British invaders, which resulted in their final discomfiture at New Orleans. On the night of the 23rd of December, 1814, Captain Edmondson was one of the two daring soldiers who volunteered to reconnoiter the British lines, then in front of the position of Colonel Williamson. In the darkness of night, the American commander was uncertain whether the force in his front were friends or foes, and hence requested the voluntary services of two of his men to develop the character and position of the unknown force. Captain Edmondson marched silently up to the very picket lines of the enemy, ascertained that he was in force, narrowly escaping capture, and after having drawn upon himself the concentrated fire of the whole line, which gave notice to the American army of the hostile design of the force before them. The American commander promptly attacked and routed the English, as the consequence of this discovery of the youthful Tennessee volunteer; after a much more sanguinary conflict than that which followed on the 8th of the following month.

           Captain Edmondson returned to the peaceful pursuits of life, married and settled down to the occupation of a farmer, after this campaign.  He removed to Pontotoc County, Mississippi, on the cession of North Mississippi to the Government by the Cherokees and Choctaws, and afterwards to his late residence, nine miles south of the city [Memphis], in Shelby County, where he has reared by a large and interesting family. The second son is our worthy fellow-citizen, Colonel James H. Edmondson, whose devotion to his father was and is of the most filial and affectionate character.  Captain Edmondson has never ceased to maintain the most lively and earnest interest in public affairs.  Being of the old school, now so rapidly passing away, who regarded their county with filial attachment.  His active zeal in politics was not the result of any propensity to hold office himself, but sprung from the ardent desire to see the affairs of the country conducted and advanced by the exertions and services of able, honest and pure men, and upheld upon sound and correct principles.  In the Democratic Party he was always regarded as one of its safest, most sagacious, and far seeing counselors and leaders.  In the late unhappy civil struggle he expressed the most earnest interest, and freely urged his sons, kindred and friends to engage in the sanguinary struggle for success of State rights and Southern Independence.  His cheerfulness and vivacity to the last moment of his life were remarkable, being one of the most pleasing of companions, drawing from the repertoire of well stored experience and accurate memory a fund of incidents  and anecdotes, which rendered him the charm of the social circle and the welcome guest wherever he went.  A gallant soldier, a useful, energetic and influential citizen, an unblemished patriot, a most kind, indulgent and exemplary father and husband, a true friend and an honest man, justly pronounced the “noblest work of God”, he has been gathered to his fathers at a ripe age, living and dying honored by his fellow-men, beloved by his neighbors, and mourned most sincerely and poignantly by his family and friends.--Dlbradley1 00:45, 9 April 2009 (EDT)

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 Ovvan D. Edmondson, editior - 4747 Westminster Circle, Eagan, MN 55122-2756. Edmondson Family Association Bulletin
   Jan-Mar, 1999.
2. ↑ Ovvan D. Edmondson, editior - 4747 Westminster Circle, Eagan, MN 55122-2756. Edmondson Family Association Bulletin
   April-June, 1998, pg. 50.
3. ↑ Memphis TN newspaper 1872.

   From a Memphis, Tennessee newspaper - 1872
   Captain Andrew Jackson Edmondson
   Sketch of his Life.