more than 30 bills, many concerning public support for transportation initiatives, including railroads. Alabama's bank had failed, which caused his particular concern about state finances. However, Winston still encouraged public education and, in 1854, signed a bill creating Alabama's public school system. In 1855 he won re-election by a narrow margin over the Know Nothing party candidate, George D. Shortridge. Confederate officer Following Alabama's secession, Winston was colonel of the 8th Alabama Infantry Regiment. His strict discipline did not endear him to his troops. His unit was involved in the Peninsula campaign, most notably the Battle of Seven Pines. Winston's cousin was the Mississippi's wartime governor, John Jones Pettus, who was born in Wilson County, Tennessee on October 9, 1813, and died in Pulaski County, Arkansas on January 25, 1867. Governor Pettus' wife, Permelia Virginia Winston (1809–1857), was also Winston's sister. Postwar Winston won an election as a delegate to the 1865 Alabama Constitutional Convention. In January 1867, he presented his credentials to the United States Senate as Senator-elect from Alabama for 1867–1873. However, he was not permitted to take his seat because he refused to take an oath of allegiance to the United States. Death and legacy Winston died December 21, 1871, in Mobile, Alabama and is buried in the Winston Family Cemetery (privately owned) near Gainesville in Sumter County, Alabama, as is Permelia Virginia Winston Pettus. References 1812 births 1871 deaths People from Madison County, Alabama Democratic Party governors of Alabama 19th-century American politicians