Source Collection
University of North Alabama Archives and Special Collections, William Lindsey McDonald Collection, Box 2: Biographical, Folder 2.16 - Correspondence – 1991, Collier Library.
Description
Correspondence from Debra A. Novotny, an American History Teacher at the Gettysburg High School, to William Lindsey McDonald inquiring about the grave location of Edward Asbury O'Neal, General, C.S.A.
William Lindsey McDonald's reply to Novotny is included within the file and explains O'Neal's relation to Florence, Alabama, as well as O'Neal's later position as Governor of the State of Alabama.
Several of the Florence sites McDonald references can be located on the Historical Marker Database, including the Edward A. O'Neal Home: Home of the Father-Son Governors.
Date Created
11-10-2026
Date
December 19-21, 1991
Document Type
Letter to the Editor
Recommended Citation
Novotny, Debra A. and McDonald, William Lindsey, "Civil War General Edward Asbury O'Neal Correspondence from Debra A. Novotny with reply, Dec. 1991" (2026). Correspondence. 60.
https://roar.una.edu/mcdonald_letters/60
Rights
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First Page
1
Last Page
3

Comments
Debra Novotny's February 9, 1992, response and a transcript are attached as additional files. Within the response, Novotny includes a Gettysburg Card, which references a July 1, 1863 battle that included Edward O'Neal. More information on the altercation can be found on the historical marker for the site.
The additional file is derived from the following source collection:
University of North Alabama Archives and Special Collections, William Lindsey McDonald Collection, Box 2: Biographical, Folder 2.17 - Correspondence – 1992, Collier Library.