Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-12-23
Death ora Noted kentucky Guerrilla

From the Louisville Democrat, Dec IA /
At about halfpast 10 o'clock yesterday
morning one of the most terrible bushwhackers
that figured on either side during the war
breathed his last at our city hospital. The no
ted Captain Ed. Terrell is no more. These
words will cause feeling of relief to hundreds
of good men in Shelby aud other counties In
this State. He was without doubt one of the
most heartless and wicked men that has figured
in this age 1t is believed by those who know
whereof they speak that Ed. Terrell murdered
no less than twenty men during his life. He
was conspicuous in both the Confederate and
Federal armies
At the breaking out of the war he enlisted in
the Dixie Guards, company commanded by
Jack Thompson, of Owensboro' which was
mustered into the First Kentucky (Confed-
erate) regiment. He afterwards Joined Gen
eral Morgan's command, from which he de-
serted in 1868, and turned up as captain of
company of independent (Federal) scouts. 1t
will be remembered that it was Captain Ed.
Terrell, who murdered Hercules Walker In
1864 on his farm, few miles from the city, on
the Preston street road. Terrell rode up to
the house of Walker and inquired for him.
Walkers wife called him from his work in the
field, and, upon his coming UP to the door,
Terrell deliberately shot him down without ut
tering word. He said at the time that he
had commission to kill ten men, and Walker
was the frsto the number. After committing
this bloody deed the desperate rode off In
search of new victims.
He also murdered Ennis Wood, an indus
trious and worthy blacksmith, at TayIorsville,
In Spencer county. Terrell had got number
of horses shod, and upon being asked by Wood
who was to pay for the work he became en-
ragged aud shot the poor man down In cold
blood
In 1864 he murdered Mr.. johnson, worthy
citizen of Indiana who came to Kentucky with
drove of cattle, which he had sold, and for
which he had received the money. Terrell de-
coyed the unsuspeeting drover out few miles
from ShelbyvilIe, when he knocked him on the
head, stripped the body of what money was
upon it, and then threw it in Clear creek, where
it was discovered and the crime traced TO Ter
rell. He was indicted and lay in Jail for a long
time, until he broke out, and shortly after
wards visited Shelbyvie with his gang. tie
was attacked by possee of citizens and fairly
ridded with bullets, yet his time had not come
for death. He lived, but in a very crippled
condition. He was afterward captured, but ty
some machination got released on his own bond.
On one occasion, we are told, he was court
Ing beautiful girl. Her brother had come
into the parlor and was introduced to Terrell.
The young man had on line pair OF new boots.
Terrell set his affections upon them, and on
that same night shot and killed the young man
for the sole purpose OF getting his boots. Ter
rell afterwards boasted OF this exploit. His
trail was marked with the blood OF his innocent
victims throughout the war, and long after Its
close @
While on the Confederate side he was boon
companion of Sue Munday and Champ Fer
guson. He was outlawed by all Confederate
forces, and bushwhaeked on his own hook tor
punder, until he got into the Federal camp
He then obtained rowing commission, and
commenced his bloody career anew, killing the
friends with whom he had camped and fought
il common cause.
About three months ago Terrell was shot
and wounded in five or six places by brother
in law whom he had grossly wronged. thus,
We believe, finished his career, so far as splilng
blood was concerned. Some two months ago
he was brought to the Louisville city hospital,
where he fingered in great agony until death
came to his relief. He was a terror to the
people of Shelby county and other localities IN
Kentucky. Thus has passed away one OF the
last of the monstrous desperadoes to whom the
war gave birth.