While recovering from one of his wounds in the American Civil War as described below, in Enterprise, Mississippi, O'Ferrall met Annie Hand, whom he married on February 8, 1865, before returning to active duty.

The first surgeon to treat him told him he would die, but his mother (who had been born in Fauquier County) traveled sixty miles to tend to him personally, and with the assistance of Dr. Thomas Settle of Paris, O'Ferrall survived to fight again.

His regiment engaged in the last fight of the war on Virginia soil, dispersing Federal soldiers encamped at Pugh's Run near Woodstock.

[11] After former Confederates had their civil rights restored, O'Ferrall quickly returned to politics and successfully ran for the Virginia House of Delegates in 1871.

[12] O'Ferrall subsequently won reelection five times, serving ten years in the House of Representatives (and Paul became a U.S. District judge).

O'Ferrall's congressional career was largely unremarkable, though he did gain a reputation as a staunch advocate for Virginia and of Democratic President Grover Cleveland.

The Republicans decided not to contest the election, so O'Ferrall's only opponent was Populist Party candidate Edmund R. Cocke whom he defeated with 59.71% of the vote.

[15] O'Ferrall benefited from fears of populism and Black equality to win the election with the largest majority that any Virginia governor had ever received.

[17] Despite his public stance as a white supremacist, O'Ferrall was also quick to send troops to break up mob violence and prevent lynchings.

[19] In 1896, a Presidential election year, the issue of bimetallism and "Free Silver" dominated Democratic Party politicians, alienating O'Ferrall, who had always staunchly advocated the gold standard.

[23] Although O'Ferrall attempted to resume his legal practice, he faced significant health issues, many attributed to his war wounds.