[1][2] McDaniel joined the Confederate States Army on July 2, 1861, as a first lieutenant of the 11th Georgia Infantry Regiment.

[1] McDaniel first attracted attention during the American Civil War for taking command of the 11th Georgia Infantry after the death of his officers at the Battle of Gettysburg.

[5] McDaniel was elected Governor of Georgia to complete the term of Alexander Stephens, who died shortly after his inauguration in 1883.

[5] During his administration, the Georgia School of Technology was established, and construction began on the new State Capitol.

[5][1] He signed the General Local Option Liquor Law into effect on September 18, 1885[6] as part of the Temperance Movement in Georgia.

[1][4] Felker's father did not approve of the marriage, but Henry and Hester McDaniel were married for sixty years.