A Touch of Gray

Beginning of article

Byline: Jennifer Harper, THE WASHINGTON TIMES

A touch of gray

Sen. John Edwards has long criticized the Confederate flag as a "divisive symbol" that should not be flown on the Capitol grounds of Southern states.

But Mr. Edwards has family ties to the Confederacy, according to Brag Bowling, a member of the Virginia branch of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. Researchers in his group have traced Mr. Edwards' ancestry back to three soldiers who served in the 34th and 15th Georgia infantries of the Confederate States Army.

According to the "amateur genealogists" - who worked for a month to find the information - Mr. Edwards' forefathers include Joseph H. Edwards and Charles G. Edwards of Company G of the 34th Infantry, and WiIliam Edwards of Company B of the 15th Infantry, which surrendered to Union troops at Appomattox, Va., on April 9, 1865.

The researchers traced Mr. Edwards' family through Franklin and Stephens counties, Georgia and Oconee County, S.C., from 1832 all the way up to 1953 - and the birth of one Johnny …