15 Facts About Alexander Hays

Alexander Hays was a Union Army general in the American Civil War who was killed at the Battle of the Wilderness in 1864.

Alexander Hays studied at Allegheny College and then transferred to the United States Military Academy in his senior year, graduating in 1844, ranking 20th out of 25 cadets.

Alexander Hays became a close personal friend of Ulysses S Grant, who had graduated the year before.

Alexander Hays was brevetted as a second lieutenant in the 8th US Infantry.

Alexander Hays settled in Venango County, where he engaged in the manufacture of iron from 1848 to 1850 before briefly leaving for the California gold fields to seek his fortune.

From 1854 through 1860, Alexander Hays was a civil engineer for the city of Pittsburgh, helping plan several bridge building projects.

At the beginning of the Civil War, Alexander Hays re-entered the service as colonel of the 63rd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment, holding the rank of captain in the 16th US Infantry in the regular army to date from May 14,1861.

Alexander Hays fought in the battles of Yorktown, Williamsburg, Seven Pines, Savage's Station, and Malvern Hill.

At the close of the Seven Days Battles, he was appointed a brevet lieutenant colonel in the regular army for gallantry in action, as Alexander Hays had directed a bayonet charge with his regiment into the enemy lines to cover the retreat of his brigade.

Alexander Hays briefly went on sick leave a month later, suffering from partial blindness and paralysis of his left arm, injuries incurred from battle.

Early in 1863 Alexander Hays was made a brigade commander in XXII Corps in the defenses of Washington, DC His brigade, composed largely of troops surrendered after the Battle of Harpers Ferry, was added to the Army of the Potomac as the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, II Corps.

Stories about Alexander Hays being drunk on duty arose from that defeat by Confederates of Lt.

However, Alexander Hays was keenly aware of and sensitive to rumors of his drinking and specifically addressed them in letters to his family.

Alexander Hays was unhappy at losing division command but was happy to serve once more under Birney, with whom he had campaigned in III Corps.

Alexander Hays was buried in Allegheny Cemetery in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.