Virginia Civil War Biographies Page

Brigadier-General James B. Terrill, a brave Virginia soldier, never wore the title which is here given him, but won it by his bravery and devotion, and fell in battle upon the day his promotion was confirmed by the Congress of the Confederate States. He was born at Warm Springs, Bath county, February 20, 1838, and was educated at the Virginia military institute. In 1858 he began the study of law with judge Brockenbrough at Lexington, and two years later entered upon the practice of his profession at his native town. He was among the first to enter the military service in 1861, and in May was elected major of the Thirteenth Virginia infantry regiment, of which A. P. Hill was colonel. He served with his regiment under Jackson in the lower Shenandoah valley and at First Manassas, and at Lewinsville commanded the infantry in the gallant fight under Col. J. E. B. Stuart. Promoted lieutenant-colonel he served with credit in the Shenandoah Valley campaign of 1862, winning honorable mention at Cross Keys and Port Republic. He was commended in general orders for gallantry at Cedar Mountain and Second Manassas. At Fredericksburg he commanded his regiment, and took an active part in driving back the column of Federals which succeeded in penetrating the first line on the right. He continued in command of his regiment, sharing the operations of Early's division, until his death, contributing in no slight degree to the remarkable efficiency of his command, of which it was said that "the Thirteenth was never required to take a position that they did not take it, nor to hold one that they did not hold it. " After participating in the battles of the Wilderness and Spottsylvania he was killed in an encounter with Warren's corps, near Bethesda church, May 30, 1864, and was buried by the enemy.

Confederate Military History, Vol. III, pp. 672-673.

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