Harry Thompson Hays

(1820 - 1876)
Home State: Louisiana
Command Billet: Commanding Brigade
Branch of Service: Infantry
Unit: Hays' Brigade

see his Battle Report

Before the Antietam Campaign:
Before the war, Hays was an attorney who studied law in Baltimore and practiced in New Orleans. He saw Army service in the Mexican War. In 1861 he was made Colonel of the 7th Louisiana Regiment and fought at First Manassas, in the Shenandoah Valley campaign, and at Port Republic, where he was wounded. In July 1862 he was appointed Brigadier General.

In the Antietam Campaign:
He commanded Hays' Brigade of Ewell's Division in Jackson's Command, and lost about half his men as casualties at Sharpsburg in combat near the Dunkard Church.

The remainder of the War:
He continued in command of his Brigade, then part of Early's Division, at Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Spotsylvania (again wounded), and in the Trans- Mississippi campaigns.

After the War:
He was appointed Sheriff for New Orleans Parish in 1866, but was removed by Gen. Sheridan. He then practiced Law in New Orleans until his death of Bright's Disease 10 years later.

References, Sources, and other notes:
Source: a brief biography, posted online by the Alexandria (VA) public library.

Birth Date: 4/14/1820    Place of Birth: Wilson County, TN
College: St. MaryÌs College (Baltimore, MD)
Death Date: 8/21/1876    Death Place: New Orleans, Louisiana    Burial Place: Washington Avenue Cemetery, New Orleans, LA

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