Alfred Terry – Fighting the South and the Indians
Alfred Terry, a figure etched in the annals of American military history, navigated the complexities of a nation fractured by civil war and expanding westward across lands inhabited by Native American tribes. His career, spanning from the battlefields of the Civil War to the vast plains of the Dakota Territory, reveals a man of both strategic prowess and controversial involvement in the conflicts that defined his era. He served as a Union general during the Civil War and later as the military commander of the Dakota Territory, twice holding this crucial post, first from 1866 to 1869 and again from 1872 to 1886.
Born in 1827 in Hartford, Connecticut, Alfred Terry’s early life was steeped in privilege and opportunity. His family, prosperous and well-established, soon relocated to New Haven, where he spent his formative years. Terry received a comprehensive education, laying the foundation for a multifaceted career. He pursued legal studies and ultimately became a lawyer, demonstrating an aptitude for intellectual pursuits and a commitment to the principles of justice. His standing in the community led to his appointment as the Superior Court of New Haven County clerk in the 1850s, a testament to his character and abilities.
The outbreak of the Civil War irrevocably altered the trajectory of Alfred Terry’s life. He answered the call to arms, demonstrating his unwavering loyalty to the Union cause. Displaying both patriotism and leadership capabilities, Terry raised a regiment of Connecticut volunteers, preparing them for the grim realities of war. He led his men into the thick of battle, participating in significant engagements such as the First Battle of Bull Run. Throughout the war, Terry and his troops saw action in Virginia, the Carolinas, and Georgia, contributing to the Union war effort across diverse theaters of conflict. His battlefield successes and demonstrated competence earned him a well-deserved promotion to brigadier general, recognizing his growing influence within the Union Army.
Following the conclusion of the Civil War, Alfred Terry’s military career took him westward to the Department of Dakota. In 1866, he assumed the mantle of military commander, a position that would thrust him into the heart of the complex and often brutal relationship between the United States government and the Native American tribes of the northern plains. Terry played a critical role in the army’s campaign to assert control over this vast territory, a campaign marked by conflict, negotiation, and the displacement of indigenous populations.
A significant chapter in Alfred Terry’s involvement in the West unfolded in 1867 when he was selected to serve as a member of the peace commission tasked with resolving the ongoing conflict with Red Cloud and his Lakota warriors. Red Cloud’s War, a series of fierce clashes between the Lakota and the U.S. government, had disrupted the region and underscored the need for a negotiated settlement. Drawing upon his legal training and judicial experience, Terry contributed to the negotiation of the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868. This treaty, intended to establish peace and delineate territorial boundaries, represented an attempt to reconcile the competing interests of the United States and the Lakota people. However, the treaty’s promises would prove difficult to uphold, and future conflicts would continue to plague the region.
After his initial stint in the Dakotas, Alfred Terry was assigned to a post in Georgia, where he became involved in the complex and challenging work of Reconstruction. He served as a commander during this period, overseeing efforts to rebuild the South and integrate formerly enslaved people into society. Terry also took a firm stance against the emerging Ku Klux Klan, recognizing the threat it posed to the principles of equality and justice. His commitment to upholding the rights of all citizens, regardless of race, demonstrated his dedication to the ideals of the Union.
By 1872, Alfred Terry returned to the Dakota Territory, resuming his command of the military forces stationed there. His responsibilities included providing military protection for the Hayden survey of the Yellowstone region, a scientific expedition that sought to map and document the natural wonders of this area. He also oversaw a survey of the Canadian border, contributing to the demarcation of the international boundary. Terry’s role in these endeavors underscored the military’s involvement in the exploration and development of the American West.
In 1873, Alfred Terry’s career became intertwined with that of George Armstrong Custer when the Seventh Cavalry was posted to the Dakotas. Terry became Custer’s commanding officer, setting the stage for a complex and often fraught relationship. The following year, Terry found himself embroiled in controversy when Custer’s well-publicized expedition into the Black Hills triggered a gold rush onto land that had been set aside for the Lakota under the Fort Laramie Treaty, the very treaty that Terry had helped negotiate. The discovery of gold in the Black Hills ignited a frenzy of activity, as prospectors and settlers flooded into the region, disregarding the treaty rights of the Lakota. This influx of people created immense pressure on the government to seize the Black Hills, leading to further conflict with the Native American tribes.
The Black Hills gold rush and the escalating tensions between the U.S. government and the Lakota led to Alfred Terry’s involvement in the Allison Committee in 1875. This committee was formed to attempt to purchase the Black Hills from the Lakota, seeking a legal and ostensibly peaceful means of acquiring the land. However, the Lakota were deeply reluctant to relinquish their ancestral homeland, and the committee’s efforts ultimately failed.
Following the failure of the Allison Committee, Alfred Terry directed the 1876 campaign to force the Lakota and their allies onto reservations. This campaign marked a significant escalation in the conflict, as the U.S. military sought to assert its dominance over the Native American tribes and confine them to designated areas. The campaign culminated in the infamous Battle of the Little Bighorn, a devastating defeat for the U.S. Army in which Custer and his entire command were wiped out.
In the aftermath of the Little Bighorn, Alfred Terry faced considerable scrutiny and criticism. Despite the fact that Custer’s impetuous actions and disregard for orders contributed to the disaster, Terry accepted unmerited criticism rather than tarnishing Custer’s reputation further. He also ordered the court-martial of Major Marcus Reno, Custer’s second-in-command, who had survived the battle but was accused of cowardice and incompetence. Terry’s actions in the wake of the Little Bighorn reflected a complex mix of loyalty, responsibility, and a desire to maintain the integrity of the army.
Alfred Terry never engaged in combat again after the Little Bighorn. In 1886, he received a promotion to major general, a recognition of his long and distinguished service. He was given command of the Division of the Missouri, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, overseeing military operations across a vast region of the American heartland. Terry’s career culminated in this prestigious position, reflecting his continued dedication to the army and his contributions to the nation’s defense.
In 1888, Alfred Terry became seriously ill, forcing him to retire from the army after decades of service. He returned to his home state of Connecticut, seeking respite and medical care. Sadly, his health continued to decline, and he passed away in 1890 in New Haven, Connecticut. He was laid to rest in Grove Street Cemetery, a final resting place for a man who had dedicated his life to military service and had played a significant role in shaping the course of American history.
Alfred Terry’s legacy remains a subject of ongoing discussion and debate. He was a skilled military leader who served his country with dedication and valor. He played a key role in the Union victory in the Civil War, and he contributed to the expansion and development of the American West. However, his involvement in the conflicts with Native American tribes, particularly his role in the events leading up to the Battle of the Little Bighorn, has drawn criticism and raised questions about the ethical implications of his actions. Alfred Terry was a complex figure whose life and career reflect the turbulent times in which he lived, a period of both progress and injustice, of both national unity and profound division.