Autographs
Union Civil War & Indian Wars General Alfred Howe Terry
ALFRED HOWE TERRY (1827-1890). Union General in the American Civil War and the Military Commander of the Dakota Territory during the Indian Wars Period from 1866 to 1869 and again from 1872 to 1886. In Command of the expedition against the Sioux Indians when Colonel George A. Custer was killed at the Battle of Little Big Horn in June of 1876.
September 17, 1861-Dated Civil War Period, Partially-Printed Document Signed, “Alfred H. Terry” as Colonel Commanding the 7th Connecticut Infantry, Fine. This original Vellum Military Commission is 1 page, measuring 10” x 15”, oblong folio, with some age lines along the folds, Appointing John Day as a Sergeant in Company B, in the 7th Connecticut Volunteers. Day was later taken Prisoner of War at Drewery’s Bluff.

Alfred Terry's greatest achievement of the Civil War came when he was placed in Command of the Fort Fisher Expeditionary Corps. Benjamin Butler had previously failed in his expedition against Confederate Fort Fisher at the end of 1864, while Terry actually took that Fort for the Union in January of 1865. The Union Army’s capture of this Fort ended the Confederate’s ability to use Wilmington, North Carolina as a shipping port. Terry later led U.S. troops against the Plains Indians, and was in Command of the expedition against the Sioux Indians when Colonel George A. Custer was killed at the Battle of Little Big Horn in June of 1876.
General Alfred Howe Terry (1827-1890) was born in Hartford Connecticut. He was one of 15 officers to receive the “Thanks of Congress” for his part in capturing Fort Fisher, North Carolina during the Civil War (1865). The Union Army’s capture of this Fort ended the Confederate’s ability to use Wilmington, North Carolina as a shipping port, and was therefore a significant victory. Terry later led U.S. troops against the Plains Indians, and was in command of the expedition against the Sioux when Colonel George A. Custer was killed at the Battle of Little Big Horn (June 1876). He retired from the Army due to illness in 1888, and died two years later.

MacNeil's 1934 Statue of General Alfred Howe Terry is located on the South elevation of the Connecticut State Capitol.