He was mustered out at the close of the war as captain of a company of sharpshooters and was decorated with the Southern Cross of Honor.

In 1894, Goodwyn as a Populist challenged incumbent Democrat James E. Cobb for the Congressional seat from Alabama's 5th district.

He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection as the nominee of the Populist and Republican parties in 1896 to the Fifty-fifth Congress, losing to Silver Democrat Willis Brewer, 8,742 (39.2%) to 13,587 (60.2%).

[3] In 1896, Goodwyn also ran as the Populist nominee for governor of Alabama, but was defeated by Joseph F. Johnston 89,290 (41%) to 128,540, although the official returns may indicate fraud.

This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress