Alternator light on, not charging new battery replace battery?

Replaced battery and the car immediately started after parked following a deer/car collision on drivers side last fall. First, I cut off top cable and attempted to install side mount battery, It did not fit so I installed correct ( new) battery with new cable end. I did not reinstall auxiliary line attached to original positive cable. Is this the line from alternator to recharge the battery? The hew battery quickly died after a couple short trips, The drivers door is not latching after impact with deer!