Hays, Alexander (1819-1864)

Name:

Hays, Alexander (1819-1864)

Title:

Second Lieutenant, Mexican-American War.
Colonel, Union Army, 1861
Brigadier General, Union Army, 1862

Other Names:

"Fighting Elleck"

Born:

07/08/1819

Birthplace:

Franklin, PA

Died:

05/05/1864

Death Location:

Battle of the Wilderness, VA

Residence:

Franklin, PA
Venango County, PA

Nationality:

American

Occupation:

Engineer
Army officer

Father:

Samuel Hays (09/10/1783 � 07/01/1868)

Relations:

Classmate of Alfred Peasonton and Winfield S. Hancock
Close friend of Ulysses S. Grant

Notes:

Transferred to West Point from Allegheny College.
Graduated in 1844, ranked 20/25 in his class.
Brevetted 2nd Lt. in the 8th US Infantry.
Served in the Mexican War, earned distinction in an engagement near Atlixco.
Resigned comission post-war and returned to PA.
Manufactured iron 1848-50, then went to CA for the Gold Rush but was unsuccessful in the venture.
Assistant railroad construction engineer until 1854.
Civil engineer for city of Pittsburg, 1854-1860, helped plan several bridge building projects.
Re-entered regular army with rank of Colonel upon outbreak of Civil War, assigned to command 16th U.S. Infantry.
Participated in the Peninsula Campaign, fighting in the Battles of Yorktown, Williamsburg, Seven Pines, Savage's Station and Malvern Hill.
Appointed Lt. Colonel at the end of the Seven Days Battles for directing a bayonet charge with his regiment to cover the brigade's retreat. Injuries sustained resulted in partial blindness and Hays went on sick leave a month later.
Resumed command 08/1862, participating in the Second Battle of Bull Run, wounded again, shattering his leg.
Appointed Brigadier General of Volunteers 09/29/1862 while recovering.
Became a brigade commander in the XXII Corps in early 1863, defending Washington, D.C. Brigade eventually added to the Army of the Potomac as 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, II Corps.
Assigned command of 3rd Division during the Gettysburg Campaign.
During Battle of Gettysburg, defended right of Union line on Cemetery Ridge. Division held and counterattacked the Confererate charge on 07/03. Hays was brevetted to Colonel in the Regular Army (??).
Placed in command of 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, II Corps in Grant's 1864 reorganization of Army of the Potomac.
KIA at the Battle of the Wilderness during the Overland Campaign by a Minie Ball to the head.