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biography
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Hays, Brigadier-General Alexander, was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, graduated at West Point in 1844,
and passing through several grades, was made first lieutenant of infantry in June, 1846. He was distinguished during the war with Mexico in several battles. In 1848, he left the army, and,
at the beginning of the war, was engaged in the iron manufacture in Venango county, Pennsylvania. In 1861, he re-entered the service as colonel of the Sixty-third Pennsylvania volunteers,
and was made a captain in the Sixteenth regular infantry. Hays was conspicuous for bravery at the battle of Fair Oaks, and received a brevet of major. For gallant conduct in the seven days' battle,
he was breveted lieutenant-colonel, and his services during the Maryland campaign won for him the star of a brigadier-general. At the battles of Chancellorsville, where he was wounded, and Gettysburg,
he evinced his usual bravery. At the latter battle, he was in command of the Third division of Hancock's corps, and of the entire corps when that general was wounded. In the battles of Auburn, Bristow Station,
and Mine Run, General Hays was in command of the Third division; and when the Army of the Potomac was reorganized for the next campaign, he was placed in command of the Second brigade, Third division, Second corps,
under General Hancock. On May 5th, 1864, at the battle of the Wilderness, he was killed, while bravely leading his men.
A Complete History of the Great Rebellion of the Civil War in the U.S. 1861-1865 with Biographical sketches of the Principal actors in the Great Drama. By Dr. James Moore, Published 1875 Submitted by Linda Rodriguez.
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