Joseph A. Edwards of Des Moines, Iowa served with Company A of the 51st Iowa Infantry as a part of the Philippine expeditionary forces. He mustered in on May 30, 1898 and mustered out on November 2, 1899 in San Francisco.
John Edwards was born in Kentucky, moved to Indiana to escape the institution of slavery, migrated to California and in 1853 settled in Chariton, Iowa where he practiced law. He was a member of the Iowa Constitutional Convention of 1857, served in the 7th General Assembly and in 1860 was chosen Speaker of the House. In July of 1862 he was commissioned colonel of the 18th Iowa Infantry. In 1864 he was promoted to brigadier-general. After the war he moved to Fort Smith, Arkansas.
From the description of Joseph A. and John Edwards papers, 1862-1906. (State Historical Society of Iowa, Library). WorldCat record id: 277623943
