Commemorative biographical record of New Haven county, Connecticut, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and of many of the early settled families, V. I, Pt 1, Part 1

Author: Beers (J.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago, J.H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1040

USA > Connecticut > New Haven County > Commemorative biographical record of New Haven county, Connecticut, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and of many of the early settled families, V. I, Pt 1 > Part 1

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Gc 974.601 N41 v.l,pt.l 1628681

REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION

ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 00826 1882

Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2009 with funding from Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center

http://www.archive.org/details/commemorativebio 11beer

COMMEMORATIVE

BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD

NEW HAVEN COUNTY. 9

CONNECTICUT,

CONTAINING

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF PROMINENT AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS, AND OF MANY OF THE EARLY SETTLED FAMILIES.

ILLUSTRATED.

V.I Ptil CHICAGO:

J. H. BEERS & Co. 1902.

1628681

PREFACE.

HE importance of placing in book form biographical history of representative citizens- both for its immediate worth and for its value to coming generations- is admitted by all thinking people; and within the past decade there has been a growing interest in this commendable means of perpetuating biography and family genealogy.

That the public is entitled to the privileges afforded by a work of this nature needs no assertion at our hands; for one of our greatest Americans has said that the history of any country resolves itself into the biographies of its stout, earnest and representative citizens. This medium, then, serves more than a single purpose; while it perpetuates biography and family genealogy, it records history, much of which would be preserved in no other way:

In presenting the COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD to its patrons, the publishers have to acknowledge, with gratitude, the encouragement and support their enterprise has received, and the willing assistance rendered in enabling them to surmount the many unforeseen obstacles to be met with in the production of a work of this character. In nearly every instance the material composing the sketches was gathered from those immediately interested, and then submitted in type-written form for correction and revision. The volume, which is one of generous amplitude, is placed in the hands of the public with the belief that it will be found a valuable addition to the library, as well as an invaluable contribution to the historical literature of the State of Connecticut.

THE PUBLISHERS.

٠ ٠

٢٨٠٠٠

BIOGRAPHICAL.

ERRY. MAJOR GENERAL ALFRED HOWE, late of the United States Army, and a resident of New Haven, came of a distinguished Hart- ford family and an early Connecticut ancestry promin- ent from the Colonial period, while he himself won imper- ishable laurels in the Civil War and was especially characterized as the "Hero of Fort Fisher."

Alfred Howe Terry was born Nov. 10, 1827, in Hartford, son of Alfred and Clarissa ( Howe) Terry, and grandson of Gen. Nathaniel Terry, and was a descendant in the seventh generation from Samuel Terry, of Springfield, Mass., who was the first of the name to come to America. Samuel Terry was a mere boy at the time of his emigra- tion. He first appeared at Springfield in about 1654, and afterward removed to Enfield, Conn. His first wife was Ann Lobdel. and from these an- cestors Gen. Alfred H. Terry's line of descent is through Samuel (2), Ephraim, Nathaniel, Gen. Nathaniel and Alfred Terry. Among the Gen- eral's ancestors of other names were many prom- inent men of early Colonial days, notably Gov. Thomas Hooker. William Wadsworth and John Talcott, three of the founders of Hartford; Rev. James Pierpont and Rev. Noahdiah Russell of Mid- dletown, two of the founders of Yale College.

William Bradford. of Plymouth Colony; Rev. mainder of his life, an esteemed and respected ciri-

(V) Gen. Nathaniel Terry, son of Nathaniel Terry (1). born in Enfield Jan. 20, 1768, married March 14. 1798, Catherine, daughter of Col. Jere- miah Wadsworth, of Hartford, Conn., who during the Revolution and for years following was the most prominent man of the town, and probably the wealthiest. He was commissary general of the American forces for a time, and also of the French :

forces. He shared largely the confidence of Gen. Washington, and under his roof the General was entertained when he came East with Knox and La- Fayette for the first interview with Count Roch- ambeau and Admiral Ternay. Col. Wadsworth was a member of the State convention called to

ratify the Constitution of the United States, served six years in Congress, and held other important and honorable offices.

Gen. Nathaniel Terry was graduated from Yale in 1786, became a law student of Hon. Jesse Root, and was admitted to the Bar in 1790. His pro- fessional life covered a long period, from 1790 to IS44, and he practiced first in Enfield and then in Hartford; was a representative to the State Leg- islature from the latter place for twelve sessions; was judge of the county court from 1807 to 1809; a member of the XVth Congress, 1817-19; and was mayor of Hartford from 1824 to 1831. From 1819 to 1828 he was president of the Hartford Bank. During the prolonged infancy of the Hartford Fire Insurance Co., from 1810 to 1835, Gen. Terry was its president.

(VI) Alfred Terry, son of Gen. Nathaniel Terry, and the father of Gen. Alfred Howe Terry, was born July 28, 1802, in Hartford, and married, in September, 1825, Clarissa Howe, who was born July 23, 1803, daughter of Gen. Hezekiah and Sarah ( Townsend) Howe, of New Haven. MIr. Terry was graduated from Yale in 1822. studied law in Hartford, was admitted to the Bar, and practiced law in Hartford until 1833. when he re- moved to New Haven. There he passed the re- zen of the community, dying Dec. 14. 1860. His wife survived until June 27, 1874.

Gen. Alfred Howe Terry, son of Alfred Terry. was educated mainly in New Haven, studied law at Yale Law School, was admitted to the Bar, and began the practice of law in 1849. From 1854 to 1860 he was clerk of the Superior and Supreme Courts of Connecticut. An innate love of law and order led him to connect himself with the State militia. Having joined the New Haven Gravs when quite young, the outbreak of the War of the Rebellion found him Colonel of the 2d Regiment of the Connecticut Militia. In response to the Presi- dent's call for three months' volunteers he offered his services, and was appointed by Gov. Bucking- ham Colonel of the 2d Regiment of Connecticut Volunteer Infantry. He and his regiment were mustered into the service of the United States in

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

April, 1861. On arrival at Washington the regi- ment was assigned to the ist Brigade (Keye's), ist Division ( Daniel Tyler's), of MeDowell's army, operating against Beauregard at Manassas. The regiment participated in the battle of Bull Run, June 21st, and both the brigade and division com- manders make special mention of "the gallantry and good conduct" of Terry in that engagement.

On the expiration of the term of service of the 2d Connecticut Volunteers the governor of Con- necticut appointed Terry Colonel of the 7th Con- necticut Volunteer Infantry, then organizing. This regiment was assigned to the 3d Brigade (Wright's), of Gen. W. T. Sherman's Expedi- tionary Corps, then assembling at Annapolis. The regiment sailed for Hilton Head early in November, and on the 8th of that month we find Terry and his regiment making a reconnoissance of Hilton Head Island, of which the commander writes, "I have to acknowledge the cordial and efficient conduct of Col. Terry in carrying out the object of the recon- noissance." We next find him with his regiment on Tybee Island, actively engaged in the siege of Fort Pulaski, Ga., which was breached on April IIth, and arrangements were being made for an assault when the garrison surrendered. Gen. Gil- more, in speaking of these operations, says : "Throughout the siege Col. Alfred H. Terry, 7th Connecticut Volunteers, and Col. J. F. Hall, N. Y. Engineers, were conspicuous for the zeal and perseverance with which they discharged the vari- ons duties to which they were assigned." The dis- trict commander, Benham, makes special mention of the regiment as follows: "The 7th Connecticut Regiment, under Col. Terry, very ably manned the batteries which they had most laboriously con- structed, so that I designated them (as I was pleased to find had been, unknown to me. the pre- vions selection of Gen. Gilmore) for the honor of being the first garrison of the surrendered fort." On April 25th, two weeks after the occupation of Fort Pulaski, Terry received his appointment of Brigadier General of United States Volunteers. He continued on duty in the Southern District of the Department of the South until the following October, when he was assigned to the command of the United States forces on Hilton Head Island and continued to exercise that command until July 5, 1863. During this period there were various re- connoissances, the principal one being made on the 22d of October. against the railroad of Pocataligo. In this operation Gen. Terry commanded one of the two brigades. The command had a skirmish with the enemy near Pocataligo in which it lost 340 men in killed, wounded and missing.

In organizing the force for an effort against the defences of Charleston, in July. 1863, Gen. Terry was assigned to the command of the Ist Division. His division was designated to make a demonstration against James Island, by way of Stono Inlet, in order to occupy the enemy and draw

the forces from Morris Island, against which the main attack was to be made. The plan succeeded, and on the 16th Terry's division was attacked by a very superior force, which was driven back. After the failure of the second assault on Fort Wagner, on the night of the 18th of July, Terry was transferred to Morris Island and assigned to the command of all the forces on that Island, and the work of gaining possession of Fort Wagner by gradual approaches was begun at once. By the 6th of September it seemed quite practicable to take the place, and orders were issued and the troops put in position for a third assault the next morning, Sept. 7th, but the enemy evacuated the place during the night.

In April, 1864, Gen. Terry's division was trans- ferred to Virginia and rendezvoused at Yorktown early in May. The Ioth Corps was organized at that place and moved against Richmond by way of the James river. Terry's division contained the Connecticut troops of the Corps-the 6th, 7th and Ioth Regiments and Rockwell's battery. The divis- ion had its first opportunity to show its mettle at Chester Station. On the morning of the Ioth of May, while the division was engaged in destroying the track of the Richmond & Petersburg railway, the enemy attacked in force and compelled the pro- tecting troops to give ground, but the commands at work were promptly formed up and by a gallant attack forced the enemy to retire with loss. The division was in contact with the enemy until the 16th, when it took an important part in the battle of Drury's Bluff, and the Corps commander re- ports that "there have been three assaults made on Gen. Terry's front : each has been repulsed hand- somely. The assaults were in force." The losses in the division from the 9th to the 16th are given as 1,300. In August Gen. Terry and his division formed a part of the force assembled under Gen. Hancock at Deep Bottom, for an effort against the works around Richmond north of the James river. On the 14th the division carried the first line of intrenchments in front of Deep Bottom, capturing 71 prisoners and six guns. On the 16th Gen. Terry led the assault on the main line of the enemy's works near Fussell's Mills, carried the works, and captured about 300 prisoners and six battie flags. Of this assault Gen. Hancock says, in his report of Nov. 12th, that Gen. Birney having died no report of the Ioth Corps had been received, but "Gen Terry, whose division led the assault on the 16th. was commended for his gallantry on that occasion." The commendation has not been found in official publications, but it is evident that it was of such a character as to secure Gen. Terry a commission as Major General by brevet, which was accompanied by a personal letter from the Secretary of War, saying that he had earned a full Major General's commission and should have had it had it not been that the number of that grade allowed by law was filled.

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHIICAL RECORD.

On August 22d, Gen. Terry was ordered to pro- ceed with his division to the lines in front of Peters- burg and relieve the 1Sth Corps. He remained there until the 24th of September, when the toth Corps was assembled on the north bank of the James at Deep Bottom for an offensive movement against Richmond. Gen. Terry and his division were engaged in the assault on Fort Harrison and the New Market road, on the 29th of September. On the 7th of October he repulsed a vigorous as- sault made by Picket's command. On Oct. 10th Gen. Terry was assigned to the command of the Ioth Corps, which on the 13th attacked the enemy on the Darbytown road, where they were found in force and were driven from their first line back to their main line of defences. On Oct. 27th the. Ioth Corps pushed out the Darbytown road and extended the right to the Charles City road, driv- ing the enemy back.

After the failure of the first effort against Fort Fisher and the other defences at the mouth of Cape Fear river, North Carolina. Gen. Terry was select- ed to lead a second effort. In referring to this Gen. Grant states in his report: "This time I se- lected Brevet Major General ( now Major General) A. H. Terry to command this expedition. The troops composing it consisted of the same that com- posed the former, with the addition of a small bri- gade numbering about 1.500 men and a small siege train. The latter it was not found necessary to land. * * * It will be seen that the instruc- tions did not differ from those given for the first expedition and that in neither instance was there an order to assault Fort Fisher. % * On the afternoon of the 15th of January the Fort was assaulted and after most desperate fighting was captured, with its entire garrison and armament. Thus was secured by the combined efforts of the Army and Navy one of the most important suc- cesses of the war." This important success was not secured, however, without much thought and labor on the part of the commander. Seventy-two hours without sleep-busy engaged in safely-disembark- ing his command between Fisher and its garrison, and the covering command, which was located at Sugar Loaf, under Gen. Hoke (an officer of long experience and of acknowledged resolution and vigor) ; in finding a suitable line across from the sea to Cape Fear river, for defending his rear against Hoke with a greatly inferior force, while Fort Fisher was attacked with the other troops of his command ; in making a close reconnoissance of Fort Fisher and its surroundings, in order to deter- mine what course of action he would purstte: in arranging with Admiral Porter for a joint attack, and finally for the assault and capture of the fort and its garrison. The success was great. but the personal efforts made by the commander in order to secure that success entitle him to the high esteem of his countrymen. That the authorities of the time

thought highly of the resolution and vigor dis- played by Gen. Terry on that occasion is clearly shown in the despatches. The Secretary of War, who was returning to Washington from a visit to Gen. Sherman, at Savannah, Ga., called at the mouth of the Cape Fear river on the day after the taking of Fort Fisher. He informed Gen. Terry then and there that he would secure his appoint- ment as Brigadier-General in the regular army on his return to Washington, and a Major-General's appointment in the volunteer service if there was a vacancy in that grade. Before sailing the Sec- retary of War sent ashore the following letter:

STEAMER S. R. SPALDING. OFF FORT FISHER, JAN. 16, 1865.

Major General Terry.

Commanding :

The Secretary of War, in the name of the President. congratulates you and the gallant officers and soldiers of your command, and tenders you thanks for the valor and skill displayed in your part of the great achievement in the operations against Fort Fisher and in its assault and capture. The combined operations of the squadron under command of Rear Admiral Porter and your forces de- serve and will receive the thanks of the nation, and will be held in admiration throughout the world as a proof of the Naval and Military powers of the United States.

EDWIN M. STANTON. Secretary of War.

On receiving intelligence of the capture of the place, Gen. Grant wrote as follows:

CITY POINT, VA., JAN. 17, 1865. HON. E. M. STANTON. Secretary of War.

The following official dispatch from Brevet Major Gen. A. H. Terry, commanding the land forces against Fort Fisher, announcing the capture by the united valor of the Army and Navy, is just received. I have ordered a salute of 100 guns to be fired by each army here in honor of their great triumph.

U. S. GRANT. Lieut. General.

The following letter is of the same date.

CITY POINT, VA., JAN. 17, 1865.

HON. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of W'ar:

As a substantial recognition of the bravery of both officers and men in the capture of Fort Fisher, and the important service thereby rendered their country. I do most respectfully recommend Brevet Major General Al- fred H. Terry, U. S. Volunteers, their commanding officer. for appointment as Brigadier General in the regular army.

U. S. GRANT. Lieut. General.

CITY POINT, VA., JAN. 18, 1865.

HON. E. M. STANTON. Secretary of War:

The confirmation of Thomas and Sheridan to the rank of Major General in the regular army makes two vacancies. I hope General Terry will get one of these. U. S. GRANT, Lieut. General.

Rear Admiral Porter wrote as follows :

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHIICAL RECORD.

NORTH ATLANTIC SQUADRON, U. S. FLAG SHIP MALVERN.

OFF SMITHVILLE, N. C., JANUARY 20, 1865.

SIR: I have been so much pleased with General Terry, and the manner in which he has eondneted his part of the operations here, that I deem it worthy of a special despatch to express what I feel. General Terry is. no doubt, well known to his associates in the field who have served with him, and to the lieutenant general, who se- lected him for the service, but the American people should know and feel the very great service he has rendered them by his most admirable assault on these tremendous works. Young, brave and unassuming. he bears his suc- cess with the modesty of a true soldier, and is willing to give credit to those who shared with him the perils of the assault. No one could form the slightest conception of these works, their magnitude, strength and extent. who had not seen them, and General Whiting (the founder) must have had an abiding faith in the durability of the Confederacy when he expended so many years' labor on · them.

The result of the fall of Fort Fisher was the fall of all the surrounding works in and near this place. Fort Caswell, a large work at the West inlet. mounting twenty- nine guns, ali the works on Smith's island, the works be- tween Caswell and Smithville, np to battery on Reeves's Point, on the west side of the river-in all one hundred and sixty-nine guns falling into our hands; two steamers were burnt or blown up, and there never was so clean a scoop made anywhere.

A timid man would have hesitated to attack these works by assault, no matter what assistance he may have had from other quarters, but General Terry never for an instant hesitated; and though I feel somewhat flattered at the confidence he reposed in my judgment. I am quite ready to believe that he acted on his own ideas of what was proper to be done in the matter. and was perfectly qualified to judge without the advice of anyone. Through- out this affair his conduct has been marked by the greatest desire to be successful, not for the sake of personal con- siderations, but for the cause in which we are all alike engaged.

I don't know that I ever met an officer who so com- pletely gained my esteem and admiration.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedi- ent servant,

DAVID D. PORTER. Rear Admiral.

HON. GIDEON WELLS.

Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.

On arrival at Washington Mr. Stanton found that he could grant the appointment of Brigadier General in the regular army, but there was no va- cancy in the grade of Major General of Volunteers. Under the circumstances, and recognizing the merits of the case, America's greatest President added one to the list of Major Generals of Volun- teers, by appointing General Terry a Provisional Major General, so far as known the only instance of the kind that occurred during the war of the great Rebellion. Congress, not to be outdone in acknowledging the gallant deeds of the soldiers of the Republic, passed a resolution, which was ap- proved by the President on Jan. 24. 1865, extending the thanks of the Nation to Gen. Terry, his officers and soldiers, in the following language :

the unsurpassed gallantry and skill exhibited by them in the attack on Fort Fisher, and the brilliant and decisive victory by which that important work has been captured from the Rebel forces, and placed in the possession and under the authority of the United States; and for their long and faithful services and unswerving devotion to the cause of the country, in the midst of the greatest difficul- ties and dangers.

And be it further resolved, That the President of the United States be and hereby is requested to communicate this resolution to General Terry, and through him to the officers and men under his command.

SCHUYLER COLFAX. Speaker of the House of Representatives.

W. HAMLIN.

Vice-President of the United States and President of the Senate.

Approved Jan. 24th, 1865. ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

Of the hundreds of general officers of voltin- teers commissioned during the war of the Rebellion, who had not had previous service in the regular army, Gen. Terry's was the, unique instance in which a general officer's commission in the regular establishment was given.

In the operations against Wilmington, in Feb- ruary, 1865. Gen. Terry commanded the forces operating on the left bank of the Cape Fear river, and was commissioned a Brevet Major General in the United States Army for these operations. On the 27th of March the moth Corps was reorganized and Gen. Terry was assigned to the command of it. The 10th Corps moved on Goldsboro in co-opera- tion with the army of Gen. Sherman, and this junc- tion destroyed the last hope of effectual resistance in the army of Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, and the great Rebellion was ended.

Immediately after hostilities ceased. Gen. Terry took a leave of absence and returned to New Haven. and was making arrangements to restime the pro- fession of his choice-the law-when he received the following telegram :

ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE. WASHINGTON, JUNE 8, 1865.

MAJOR GENERAL A. H. TERRY,

New Haven, Conn.

The Secretary of War desires to see you here. Ac- knowledge receipt.

E. D. TOWNSEND. Asst. Adjt. Genl.

This innocent-looking despatch of only a line resulted in changing the whole course of Gen. Terry's after life. On reporting to the great War Secretary, with his traveling bag in hand, he was urged to go to Richmond and take hold of the helm there, and so urgent was the Secretary that the in- . terests of the public demanded his services there. that he at once gave up all his cherished personal plans and brilliant prospects in civil life, and again gave himself to the service of his country. On ar- riving at Richmond he assumed command of the Department of Virginia, which he held until Au-

Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representa- tives in Congress assembled. That the thanks of Congress are hereby presented to Brevet Major General Alfred H1. Terry and the officers and men under his command, for . gust, 1866, having in the meantime straightened

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

out the tangle into which the civil affairs of that State had fallen. The following letter from Sec- retary Stanton accompanied the order relieving Gen. Terry from this command :

WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON CITY, Aug. 18. 1866.

GENERAL :- In relieving you from command of the Department of Virginia and assigning you to another post of duty of importance and high responsibility in the West- ern territories, it is proper for me to express the cordial approval of this Department of your conduct during the whole period in which you have been in the military serv- ice of the country. Your gallantry and skill as a com- mander in the field have already received the testimonials of your official superiors and the universal approbation of the country. Your ability, integrity and wisdom in the administration of the Department of Virginia have been equally entitled to commendation and distinguished for success under the most embarrassing circumstances. To this official testimonial, so highly merited. I am happy to add the assurance of my personal esteem and friendship. Yours truly,

EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. BREVET MAJOR GENERAL AND BRIGADIER GENERAL TERRY.

In the Autumn of 1866, Gen. Terry assumed command of the newly created Department of Da- kota, in which he remained until March, 1869, when he was assigned to the command of the De- partment of the South, where trouble was found in reorganizing the civil government of the State of Georgia. In December of that year he was ap- pointed to exercise the duties of Commanding Gen- eral of the District of Georgia, as defined by Act of Congress, approved Dec. 22, 1869. In Novem- · ber, 1872, his work in Georgia completed, he was again assigned to command the Department of Da- kota, which command he held until all the bands of the great Sioux tribe were brought into sub- jection. In 1868 he was a member of the special commission appointed by the President to en- deavor to conclude a treaty of peace with the hos- tile Indians. In 1875 he was one of the commis- sioners appointed by the President to endeavor to secure an agreement with the Sioux tribe for the extinguishing of their rights to the Black Hills re- gion. In 1877 he was the head of a commission, appointed by the President, to visit the hostile Sioux, to endeavor to arrange terms with them. in order to secure their return to the United States from the British possessions to which his troops had driven them.

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Commemorative biographical record of New Haven county, Connecticut, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and of many of the early settled families, V. I, Pt 1, Part 1

Author: Beers (J.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1902 Publisher: Chicago, J.H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 1040

Author: Beers (J.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago, J.H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1040