Written by Medal of Honor Recipient, John D. Terry! 3 pages, 5 x 8, in ink, on imprinted letter sheet, written by Sergeant John D. Terry, to Mrs. Captain William B. Alexander. U.S. General Hospital, Lexington Avenue, Corner of 51st Street, New York, Oct. 25, 1862. Mrs. Alexander, Dear Madam, It is with pleasure that I write to you in answer to your request. I have every day since I received your note been at work. Yesterday a lady friend of mine, a sister to General R.[ufus] King, told me she would go and see Gen. Van Vliet, Quarter Master Gen. of New York about it. She did so and he says by an order from the War Department stating that no lady who so ever cannot sail from this port for any place where there is troops, or pass through our lines, he also said that he would be very happy to let you go if it laid in his power, but he said that Governor Andrew could give you a pass to go from there. I also saw Col. Howe the next day after your note arrived and he said that there would be a nice boat go on Wednesday next so if you receive a pass from Gov. Andrew, or any other officer to pass you through to our lines, I will be most happy to let you know at what time and where a good boat will sail from. I am very sorry indeed that there is such orders, but I tried all I knew and done my best with the help and kindness of Miss King. I think she could as her brother's are all officers in the Regular Army and she is a very dear friend to the Quarter Master Gen. of New York which is Gen. Van Vliet. I expect to go down to New Bern next week to make a visit to my dear Capt. and friends and comrades and would be very happy indeed to see you there. If there is any thing that I can do for you, I will do it with much pleasure as I think I can never repay the Capt. for kindness to me while under him and in the Hospital. I received a letter from Lieut. Drew. He writes all are well and happy as ever! Yours Very Respectfully, John D. Terry. To Mrs. Capt. W.B. Alexander, Boston, Mass. Excellent. Very desirable war date letter written by a Medal of Honor recipient.

John D. Terry, was a 20 year old clerk from Boston, when he enlisted on 9/5/61, as a sergeant, and was mustered into Co. E, 23rd Massachusetts Infantry. He was wounded on 3/14/62, at New Bern, N.C., the same day his Captain William B. Alexander was also wounded! Terry's wound was so severe that it resulted in the amputation of his left leg. He was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his bravery at New Bern. Despite the fact that his leg was nearly blown off by a cannon shot, he stayed on the battlefield encouraging his men until being carried off! He was discharged from the service as a result of his wounds on 7/7/63.

William B. Alexander, was a 29 year old carpenter, when he enlisted on 4/22/61, as a 2nd lieutenant, and was commissioned into the 3rd Massachusetts Infantry. He was mustered out on 7/22/61. On 12/4/61, he was commissioned as captain, 23rd Massachusetts Infantry. He was wounded in action on 3/14/62, at New Berne, N.C.

Item Number: UL981