Albert Taylor Goodwyn Alabama secession essay and notes

Albert Taylor Goodwyn was born on December 17, 1842, in Robinson Springs, Alabama. He attended South Carolina College until enlisting in the Confederate Army in 1861 as a member of the South Carolina College Cadets and fought in the Battle of Fort Sumter. In May 1862, Goodwyn enlisted in the 45th Alabama Infantry Regiment, where he was appointed first sergeant and served until he was discharged in July 1862 because of illness. After recovering, he rejoined the army, was promoted to lieutenant, and was transferred to the 58th Alabama Regiment in July 1863. In November 1863, Goodwyn was captured at the Battle of Missionary Ridge; he was imprisoned until 1865, when he was released after taking an oath of loyalty.

After the war, Goodwyn began his political career in Alabama. Between 1874 and 1880, he served as the state inspector of convicts. In 1886 and 1887, he was elected to serve in the state House of Representatives, and between 1892 and 1896, he served as a state senator. Running successfully as a Populist candidate, Goodwyn was elected to serve as a member of the United States Congress, where he served between April 1896 and March 1897. After an unsuccessful reelection campaign, Goodwyn returned to Robinson Springs to farm.

He was an active member of the United Confederate Veterans and was elected to serve as the organization's commander in chief in 1928. He died on July 2, 1931.

Sources: U.S. Confederate Pension Application, Ancestry; Biographical Directory of the United States Congress