| Birth Date: | 4 February 1835 |
| Birth Place: | Jasper County, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Office: | Member of the Mississippi House of Representatives |
| Governor: | Robert Lowry |
| Office2: | Justice of the Mississippi Supreme Court |
| Governor2: | Anselm J. McLaurin |
| Predecessor2: | Thomas R. Stockdale |
| Successor2: | James H. Price |
| Allegiance: | Confederate States of America |
| Unit: | Company C of the 37th Mississippi Regiment |
| Rank: | Major |
| Battles: | American Civil War |
| Death Place: | Quitman, Mississippi, U.S. |
Samuel Heidelberg Terral (February 4, 1835 – March 20, 1903) was a justice of the Mississippi Supreme Court from 1897 until his death in 1903.[1]
Born in Jasper County, Mississippi, Terral was educated in the county schools and graduated from the University of Mississippi and its law school.[2] [3] While there, he was a member of the Fraternity of Delta Psi (aka St. Anthony Hall).[4]
On January 9, 1861, Terral attended the Mississippi Secession Convention, representing Clarke County where Mississippi would pass an Ordinance of Secession from the U.S.[5] [6]
Terral fought for the Confederates against the U.S. during the American Civil War, enlisting in Company C of the 37th Mississippi Regiment and served as its captain until 1863, when he was promoted to the rank of major.[6] [3] After the war he settled permanently at Quitman, Mississippi where he engaged in the practice of law, including working as a district attorney.[2]
In 1882, after the end of Reconstruction, Terral became a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives.[6] He then served as a circuit court judge until his 1897 elevation to the Supreme Court, by appointment of Governor Anselm J. McLaurin.[3]
He died at Quitman on March 21, 1903.