[1] He graduated from the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point, New York, in 1883, and, due to his deficiency in math and science, was ranked last in his class (52nd of 52).

[4] He was promoted to first lieutenant on February 25, 1891[5] while serving on detached service as Professor of Military Science and Tactics at St. John's College (now known as Fordham University), from which he received an Honorary degree.

Following another stint of detached service in the Military Information Bureau of the Adjutant General's Office, Edwards returned to the 23rd Infantry at Fort Clark, serving as a captain in command of a rifle company, and later as regimental quartermaster.

[7] In 1900, due in part to his knowledge of the conditions in the Philippines, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and named Chief of the Division of Customs and Insular Affairs in the War Department.

[9][10] In August 1917, four months after the American entry into the war, he was promoted to the rank of major general in the National Army and given the task of organizing the 26th Division.

General John Joseph "Blackjack" Pershing, Commander-in-Chief (C-in-C) of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) on the Western Front, in particular despised him.

In September 1920, he reverted to his Regular Army rank of brigadier general, and was placed in command of the 2nd Brigade, based at Camp Taylor, Kentucky.

He was promoted to major general in the Regular Army in June 1921, and given the command of the First Corps Area, headquartered in Boston, where he served until he retired on December 1, 1922, after nearly 40 years of service.

The high qualities of leadership and unfailing devotion to duty displayed by him were responsible for the marked espirit and morale of his command.

To his marked tactical ability and energy are largely due the brilliant successes achieved by the 26th National Guard Division during its operations against the enemy from 4 February 1918 to 11 November 1918.