Page:Men of Mark in America vol 2.djvu/408

 SILAS WRIGHT TERRY ERRY, SILAS WRIGHT, rear admiral United States navy, was born in Trigg county, Kentucky, December 28, 1842, son of Abner R. and Eleanor Dyer Terry. When he reached school age his parents resided in Cadiz, the county seat, where he attended school. He was admitted to the naval academy as an acting midshipman, September 28, 1858. Something of his strength of character is evidenced in the decision he made in the spring of 1861, when so many midshipmen were resigning from the academy to takes sides with the seceding states. When the naval academy was transferred from Annapolis to Newport, Rhode Island, early in April 1861, the midshipmen were embarked in the frigate Constitution, which was towed to New York and thence to Newport. Up to this time it was well known that Terry was willing to resign had he received the parental authority, without which no midshipman was permitted to do so. Being without instruction from home, he determined to act for himself. Immediately after the Constitution started down Chesapeake Bay, Terry announced to a group of comrades that thence-forward he would be loyal and true to the Union, and that he should not resign under any circumstances. Two days later, on arrival at New York, he received a letter from Mr. Burnett, his brother-in-law, the member of congress who had secured his appointment, saying that it was his mother's wish that he resign at once, if ordered to active service. This letter he read and tore up in presence of his friends, and within a week he was ordered with his classmates to active service. Whatever success he may have attained in his career he attributes to this decision.

He was promoted ensign September 16, 1862; lieutenant February 22, 1864; lieutenant-commander July 25, 1866; commander July 11, 1877; captain January 9, 1893; rear-admiral March 24, 1900. During the Civil war he served on the Atlantic Coast, and for thirteen months in the Mississippi squadron on board the flagship Black Hawk. He took part in the expedition up Red river. From his flagship Cricket May 4, 1864, Admiral Porter addressed