Oliver Evans Edwards was born to Zachary Edwards and Nancy Bobo on November 9, 1819 in Spartanburg District, SC. When he was young the family moved to Cass County, GA, where he grew up and joined the Baptist church. He later moved back to Spartanburg where he transferred his membership to the Baptist church. He chose the law as a profession and studied under the legal tuition of Simpson Bobo, Esq. He was a lawyer for about 15 years before the war.

In 1850 he was elected colonel of the 36th Regiment S.C.M. Prior to his promotion he was captain for several years of a volunteer company in Spartanburg.

On January 23, 1851 Colonel Edwards married Miss R. Jane Gary of Laurens district. In 1854 Edwards was chosen brigadier-general of the 9th Brigade S.C.M. which he held for a few years. He also represented his district for several terms in the lower house of the State Legislature. In 1861 he was elected Colonel of the Thirteenth regiment at its organization. He served bravely at the forefront of his regiment for the duration of his command. He was slightly wounded at 2nd Manassas and mortally wounded on May 3, 1863 at the battle of Chancellorsville. On his way home from the battle in early June his condition worsened at Goldsborough, North Carolina where he died on Sunday, June 21st, 1863.