H. Hays

Confederate (CSA)

Brigadier General

Harry Thompson Hays

(1820 - 1876)

Home State: Louisiana

Education: St. Mary"s College (Baltimore, MD)

Command Billet: Commanding Brigade

Branch of Service: Infantry

Unit: Hays' Brigade

see his Battle Report

Before Sharpsburg

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.

On the 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 rest 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 & notes

Source: a brief biography, posted online by the Alexandria (VA) public library.

Birth

4/14/1820; Wilson County, TN

Death

8/21/1876; New Orleans, Louisiana; burial in Washington Avenue Cemetery, New Orleans, LA