Harry T. Hays
| Harry Thompson Hays | |
|---|---|
Harry Thompson Hays
photo taken between 1862 and 1865 |
|
| Born |
April 14, 1820 Wilson County, Tennessee |
| Died | August 21, 1876 (aged 56) New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Place of burial | Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, New Orleans, La. |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America Confederate States of America
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Army Confederate States Army
|
| Years of service | 1846–48 (USA) 1861–65 (CSA) |
| Rank |
 First Lieutenant (USA) Brigadier General (CSA)
|
| Commands held | "Louisiana Tigers" Brigade |
| Battles/wars | |
Mexican-American War American Civil War
Harry Thompson Hays (April 14, 1820 – August 21, 1876) was an American Army officer serving in the Mexican-American War and a general who served in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War.
Known as the "Louisiana Tigers," his brigade played a major role during the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863, where they ascended Cemetery Hill in the darkness and overran several artillery batteries before finally being driven off for lack of support.
Harry Thompson Hays was born in Wilson County, Tennessee. His relatives had lived in a home known as the Hermitage, which was sold to Andrew Jackson in 1804 by Robert Hays, husband of Rachel Jackson's sister Jane Donelson.
Following the deaths of Harry's parents in 1833, he was reared by an uncle in Wilkinson County, Mississippi. He attended St. Mary’s College in Baltimore, and studied law. Hays soon established a prominent law practice in New Orleans.
Hays saw his first military service during the Mexican-American War, serving in the 5th Louisiana Cavalry. Returning to Louisiana, Hays became active in politics as a Whig and served as a Presidential Elector supporting Winfield Scott in 1852. His brother was the famous Texas Ranger John Coffee Hays. Author Shelby Foote described him as a "Tennessee-born, Mississippi-raised, lawyer from New Orleans."
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Wikipedia