Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography/Terry, William

TERRY, William, soldier, b. in Amherst county, Va., 14 Aug., 1824: d. near Wytheville, Va., 5 Sept., 1888. He was graduated at the University of Virginia in 1848, studied law, and in 1851 was admitted to the bar. Settling in Wytheville, he practised his profession and was one of the editors and owners of “The Telegraph,” published in that place. In April, 1861, he became a lieutenant in the 4th Virginia infantry, in Gen. Thomas J. Jackson's brigade. In 1862 he was promoted major, and in February, 1864, became colonel. He was commissioned brigadier-general on 20 May, 1864. At the close of the civil war he returned to practice in Wytheville, and in 1868 was nominated for congress, but, being under political disabilities, withdrew. He was afterward elected to congress from Virginia as a Conservative, and served from 4 March, 1871, till 3 March, 1873, and again from 6 Dec., 1875, till 3 March, 1877. Subsequently he resumed his legal business. He was drowned while trying to ford Reed creek, near his home.