CSA Bios: W.R. Terry, W. Terry, Terrill, T.H. Taylor, R. Taylor

[Battleline]

Brig. Gen. William R. Terry, CSA (b. 1827 d. 1897) Wounded seven times during the Civil War, including during Pickett’s Charge, William Richard Terry led a charmed life on the battlefield. Terry was born in Liberty, Va., March 12, 1827. He was a member of the Virginia Military Institute Class of 1850 and later graduated from the University of Virginia. He was a merchant in Liberty when the Civil War broke out. He entered Confederate service as the captain of a cavalry company from Bedford County, Va. His gallant conduct at First Manassas earned him a colonel’s commission in the 24th Virginia Infantry, where he succeeded Jubal Early. He suffered the first of his seven wounds at the Battle of Williamsburg May 5, 1862, but was back in command for Second Manassas Aug. 29-30, 1862. Serving in Kemper’s Brigade, Pickett’s Division, he participated in Pickett’s Charge July 3, 1863 and was wounded again, but ended the fight as one of two regimental commanders in the brigade to make it through the fight still in charge of their troops. He continued to lead his regiment until he was promoted to brigadier general May 31, 1864, and ascended to command his brigade. Terry suffered his final wound at Dinwiddie Court House March 31, 1865, which was one of the skirmishes before the Battle of Five Forks. After the war, Terry was a member of the Virginia senate for eight years. He served as penitentiary superintendent and was superintendent of the Confederate Soldiers’ Home in Richmond from 1886-93. He served as a member of the VMI Board of Visitors in 1873. He was paralyzed by stroke for some years. He died at Chesterfield Court House, Va., March 28, 1897. He is buried in Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Va., along with other famous people such as U.S. Presidents James Monroe and John Tyler, Confederate President Jefferson Davis, Virginia Gov. William “Extra Billy” Smith, fellow Confederate Generals JEB Stuart, Fitzhugh Lee and John Pegram, nearly 18,000 other Confederate soldiers and biographer Dr. Douglas Southhall Freeman.

Brig. Gen. William Terry, CSA (b. 1824 d. 1888) William Terry mirrored the career of similarly-named William Richard Terry in Confederate service. Born in Amherst County, Va., Terry received early education in a neighborhood “old field-school.” He graduated from the University of Virginia in 1848. He taught school and studied law. His studies led to his admission to the bar and he began a practice in Wytheville, Va. At times, he served as editor of the local Telegraph newspaper. He was a lieutenant of militia in Harpers Ferry at the time of John Brown’s 1859 raid. He entered Confederate service at the same grade, being assigned to the Fourth Virginia Infantry. Fighting at First Manassas, he was promoted to major following that battle and served in the Seven Days Campaign and Second Manassas. He was wounded at Second Manassas, but was back in action in time for the Battle of Fredericksburg. He participated in the Army of Northern Virginia’s major battles. He was a major in a colonel’s role at Gettysburg and received his promotion to that grade in September 1863. After Maj. Gen. Edward “Old Allegheny” Johnson was captured at the “Bloody Angle” at Spotsylvania, Terry ascended to brigade command with his promotion to brigadier general to date from May 19, 1864. He suffered his third wound while attacking Fort Stedman March 25, 1865, and was knocked out of the war. After the war, he returned to his law practice in Wytheville, Va., and twice was elected to Congress in 1871 and 1875. He was a delegate to the Democratic national convention in 1880. While trying to ford Reed Creek swollen with snowmelt, he drowned Sept. 5, 1888.

Brig. Gen. James B. Terrill, CSA (b. 1838 d. 1864) Neither James Barbour Terrill nor his brother, Federal Gen. William R. Terrill, survived the Civil War. And it’s likely James B. Terrill did not know he was a brigadier general when he was killed at Bethesda Church during the Cold Harbor Campaign May 30, 1864. He had been nominated by the Confederate Senate to rank from May 31, 1864, and confirmed later that day. His appointment was dated June 1, 1864, two days after his death. Terrill was born in Bath County, Va., Feb. 20, 1838. He was a member of the Virginia Military Institute Class of 1858 (his older brother was a West Point graduate). He studied law in Lexington, Va., and was practicing in Warm Springs, Va., at the start of the Civil War. Elected major of the 13th Virginia Infantry (A.P. Hill and James A. Walker were his superiors), Terrill served at First Manassas as part of Johnston’s Division of the Army of The Shenandoah, Fourth Brigade (Col. A. Elzey). At the Battle of Lewinsville, Sept. 11, 1861, Terrill won his first praise of then-colonel J.E.B. Stuart. He fought during Jackson’s Valley Campaign, the Seven Days Campaign and Cedar Mountain. By the time of Second Manassas, his command was in Early’s Brigade of Ewell’s Division of the ANV Left Wing, or Jackson’s Corps. His unit fought Sharpsburg (Antietam). Between Sharpsburg and Fredericksburg, Terrill received bad news about his brother, who was killed leading the 33rd Brigade, 10th Division, First Corps during the Battle of Perryville, Ky. Meanwhile, Terrill continued to move up through the ranks with his promotion to colonel coming May 15, 1863, after the Battle of Chancellorsville. During the Gettysburg Campaign, the 13th Virginia served as the provost guard for Winchester, Va., after forcing Federal Forces from the town during the march north. Gen. Early rewarded the unit with the duty as one of the unit’s companies was from Winchester. Fighting at the Wilderness and Spotsylvania Court House brought Terrill’s abilities under the spotlight. At the latter fight, 13th Virginia recaptured several guns lost in the Mule Shoe. Still with his regiment, the 13th Virginia engaged enemy forces near Bethesda Church. Terrill was killed May 30, 1864, and buried by the Federals near the spot he fell.

Brig. Gen. Thomas H. Taylor, CSA (b. 1825 d. 1901) Appointed as a brigadier general, but never confirmed by the Confederate senate, Thomas Hart Taylor served as an officer for the entire war. Hart was appointed brigadier general Nov. 4, 1864, while in command of the Mobile, Ala., post. However, Pres. Jefferson Davis failed to nominate him to the Senate at that grade, possibly because he was a Kentucky officer commanding troops not from his state in Alabama. It is likely he reverted to his rank of colonel. Taylor was born July 31, 1825, in Frankfort, Ky., and attended Kenyon College in Ohio and Centre College in Kentucky. He served in the Mexican War with the Third Kentucky Infantry, being promoted to first lieutenant. He lived an interesting life between the wars. He drove two herds of cattle to California. He enlisted in Confederate service in 1861, being named captain of infantry in the regular army and lieutenant colonel of the First Kentucky Infantry of the Provisional Army. He was nominated for his colonel’s rank to date from Oct. 14, 1861. After fighting in the Peninsular Campaign, the First Kentucky was one of 12 regiments mustered out of service during the summer of 1862. Taylor wasn’t ready to step away and reported to the command of Gen. Kirby Smith in east Tennessee. He led a brigade in Gen. Stevenson’s Division in the Army of Kentucky during the Kentucky Invasion of 1862. Later, he served as provost marshal on the staff of Gen. Pemberton and was captured at Vicksburg. Later exchanged, he commanded the District of South Mississippi and East Louisiana. He served as provost marshal on the staff of Gen. S.D. Lee before receiving his command as Mobile post commander. He stayed in Mobile after the war until 1870. Returning to Kentucky, he was a deputy U.S. marshal for five years and was chief of police in Louisville for 11 years. He died in Louisville April 12, 1901.

Lt. Gen. Richard Taylor, CSA (b. 1826 d. 1879) Son of one president and brother-in-law to another, Richard Taylor enjoyed success on the battlefield, even with meager resources. “He’s the biggest man in the lot,” commented Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest. “If we’d had more like him, we would have licked the Yankees long ago.” Taylor was born Jan. 27, 1826, at the “Springfields” estate near Louisville, Ky., His father, Gen. Zachary Taylor, would become U.S. president. Taylor’s grandfather had served in the American Revolution. Taylor spent much of his early life in frontier outposts with his father. His studies led him to Europe for a time. He started college at Harvard, but transferred to Yale and graduated in 1845. For a time, he served as his father’s military secretary during the Mexican War, but was sent back to the U.S. due to his rheumatoid arthritis. He was assigned to manage a family cotton plantation in Jefferson County, Miss., and in 1850, he persuaded his father to purchase “Fashion,” a large sugar plantation in St. Charles Parish, La. After his father’s death in office, Taylor inherited “Fashion” and steadily increased the plantation’s holdings. One of his sisters was Sarah Knox Taylor, the first wife of Jefferson Davis, who later became the Confederate president. Richard Taylor was elected to the Louisiana Senate in 1855 as a Whig. He later became a Democrat and was at the center of trying to patch up the party split at the 1860 convention. At the start of the Civil War, Taylor’s services were requested in Pensacola, Fla., where Braxton Bragg was training recruits. Taylor served as a civilian advisor until being appointed colonel of the Ninth Louisiana Infantry and sent to Virginia. His unit arrived on night of First Manassas, too late to see action. He was promoted to brigadier general Oct. 21, 1861. His Louisiana brigade served in Ewell’s Division under Jackson’s command during Jackson’s Valley Campaign. His brigade included Wheat’s “Louisiana Tiger” battalion and was used to trigger Jackson's successes. The brigade also fought at the Seven Days Campaign, though Taylor could not leave camp due to his arthritis. Promoted to major general July 28, 1862, Taylor was sent back to Louisiana to recruit and later take command of the District of West Louisiana. Before Taylor’s return to Louisiana, Federal forces were largely left to roam parts of the state. “Fashion” was looted by Federal troops in 1862. With little to work with, Taylor started to assemble his forces. He first faced Federal Gen. Nathaniel Banks during the Bayou Teche Campaign at Fort Bisled and Irish Bend. Banks was able to besiege Port Hudson. Taylor planned to recapture New Orleans, but was diverted to Richmond, La. on the way. Reinforced by Maj. Gen. John G. Walker’s Texas Division, Taylor initiated actions at Milliken’s Bend and Young’s Point, which were thwarted by Federal gunboats. Detaching Walker’s division, the army took Brashier City (Morgan City), La., and liberated supplies and weapons. Taylor’s command moved to the outskirts of New Orleans, but retreated when word of the fall of Port Hudson came. In the spring of 1864, Taylor dominated a larger Federal force under Banks during the Red River Campaign, winning at Mansfield and Pleasant Hill. Fighting in his command was another brother-in-law, Brig Gen. Allen Thomas, who married Mrs. Taylor’s sister, commanded several units under Taylor. (Taylor also had an uncle, Joseph Pannill Taylor, who served as a Federal brigadier general.) When Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith prevented him from following up on success, Taylor tried to step down. Instead, he was promoted to lieutenant general, to rank from April 8, 1864. He was moved to command the Department of Alabama and Mississippi, commanding the defenses of Mobile, Ala. Following John B. Hood’s disastrous campaign, Taylor added the remnants of the Army of Tennessee to his forces. He led the last Confederate force east of the Mississippi to surrender, giving up May 8, 1865. Following the War, Taylor wrote his memoirs, “Destruction and Reconstruction,” one of the most credited Civil War reports. Active in the Democratic Party, he worked to lessen the severest applications of the Reconstruction Acts. He lobbed on the behalf of Jefferson Davis with Pres. Andrew Johnson. Taylor died in New York City April 12, 1879, and is buried in New Orleans.

[Gil R.]

Thanks!

[Battleline]

Lt. Gen. Richard Taylor (b. 1826 d. 1879) Son of one president and brother-in-law to another, Richard Taylor enjoyed success on the battlefield, even with meager resources. “He’s the biggest man in the lot,” commented Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest. “If we’d had more like him, we would have licked the Yankees long ago.” Taylor was born Jan. 27, 1826, at the “Springfields” estate near Louisville, Kentucky. His father, Gen. Zachary Taylor, would become U.S. president. Taylor’s grandfather had served in the American Revolution. He started college at Harvard, but transferred to Yale and graduated in 1845. For a time, he served as his father’s military secretary during the Mexican War, but was sent back to the U.S. due to his rheumatoid arthritis. He was assigned to manage a family cotton plantation in Jefferson County, Mississippi, and in 1850, he persuaded his father to purchase “Fashion,” a large sugar plantation in St. Charles Parish, Louisiana, which he inherited. One of his sisters was Sarah Knox Taylor, the first wife of Jefferson Davis. Taylor was elected to the Louisiana Senate in 1855 as a Whig. He later became a Democrat and was at the center of trying to patch up the party split at the 1860 convention. At the start of the Civil War, Taylor’s services were requested in Pensacola, Florida., where Braxton Bragg was training recruits. Taylor served as a civilian advisor until being appointed colonel of the Ninth Louisiana Infantry and sent to Virginia. His unit arrived on night of First Manassas, too late to see action. He was promoted to brigadier general Oct. 21, 1861. His Louisiana brigade served in Ewell’s Division under Jackson’s command during Jackson’s Valley Campaign. The brigade also fought at the Seven Days Campaign, though Taylor could not leave camp due to his arthritis. Promoted to major general July 28, 1862, Taylor was sent back to Louisiana to recruit and later take command of the District of West Louisiana. With little to work with, Taylor started to assemble his forces. He first faced Federal Gen. Nathaniel Banks during the Bayou Teche Campaign at Fort Bisled and Irish Bend. Banks was able to besiege Port Hudson. Taylor planned to recapture New Orleans, but was diverted to Richmond, Louisiana. on the way. Reinforced by Maj. Gen. John G. Walker’s Texas Division, Taylor initiated actions at Milliken’s Bend and Young’s Point, which were thwarted by Federal gunboats. Detaching Walker’s division, the army took Brashier City (Morgan City), Louisiana. Taylor’s command moved to the outskirts of New Orleans, but retreated at the news of Port Hudson’s fall. In the spring of 1864, Taylor dominated a larger Federal force under Banks during the Red River Campaign, winning at Mansfield and Pleasant Hill. Fighting in his command was another brother-in-law, Brig Gen. Allen Thomas, who married Mrs. Taylor’s sister, commanded several units under Taylor. (Taylor also had an uncle, Joseph Pannill Taylor, who served as a Federal brigadier general.) When Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith prevented him from following up on success, Taylor tried to step down. Instead, he was promoted to lieutenant general, to rank from April 8, 1864. He was moved to command the Department of Alabama and Mississippi, commanding the defenses of Mobile, Ala. Following John B. Hood’s disastrous campaign, Taylor added remnants of the Army of Tennessee to his forces. He led the last Confederate force east of the Mississippi to surrender, giving up May 8, 1865. Following the War, Taylor wrote his memoirs, “Destruction and Reconstruction,” one of the most credited Civil War reports. Active in the Democratic Party, he worked to lessen the severest applications of the Reconstruction Acts. He lobbed on the behalf of Jefferson Davis with Pres. Andrew Johnson. Taylor died in New York City April 12, 1879, and is buried in New Orleans.

Edited to 3860 characters.

[Gil R.]

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