The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-08
OBITUARY.

BRHvEr BRfaADIER GENERAL WIN. HAYS U.s.A.
The death OF Brevet Brigadier General william
Hays. OF the regular army occurred yesterday &C
Fort Independence, in Boston Harbor.
william Hays was one OF the many heroes OF the
late war He was born In Richmond, Va, moved
to Tennessee, and was appointed cadet at West
Point in 1886 by General Jackson from the Nash
vie dtstrtct) The General, writing to him at the
time, said:-T hope you will sustain the military
character OF Tennessee, and never draw your
SWORD except against foreign foe in defence OF
the Union." The old hero had his hope fulfilled to
tho letter. General Hays proved himself
worthy OF his friend. Among his class
mates were General william T. Sherman.
General Nathaniel Lyon. who was killed at Will
sons Creek MO-, August. 1851; General Stewart
Van Vliet and other officers who distinguished
themselves In the federal service during the re-
bellion. Besides these he had as classmates Gen.
erals Ewen and Bushrod Johnson, Of the Confed.
crate service. Graduating with his class high In
rank and order or meri. young Hays was breveted
q second lieutenant OF artillery and detailed TO the
Second regiment for duty. He found himself at
tached, on reporting, to Duncan's Light Battery.
and with that famous body OF men en-
tered the Mexican war, being present at
Palo Alto, where he nrst went under
fire. at the battles OF Resaca de la Palma,
Monterey, Cerro GOrdo. Contreras, Cherubusco,
Molino del Roy where he was wOunded) Chapul-
tepec and at the San Cosmo Garita. when peace
was declared Captain BAYS fred the salute in
taking down the American c0lOrs from the ma
tional palace In the City OF Mexico. During the
year Hays was repeatedly mentioned by General
Worth in his dispatches for gallant action oil Of
the engagements S MS battery partieipated in:
Monroe, and his EFFORTS in organizing !ne
Fosomso IN ssa and hs sss led the
his being assigned to the headquarters stan OF Gen.
ant Colonel On reporting to Mcclellan for duty
HAYS was given command OF the reserve artillery
pOrtant branch OF the reserve forces Colonel Havs
served az the battle OF Williamsburg, FAIR Oaks,
Malvern hIll and Anretam. under Mcclellan, and
also AT Fredericksburg, under Burnside. After
that disastrous campaign Hays was appointed
d., 6 Dr genera! OF volunteers, and
corps, under General Couch. When Hooker
crossed the Rappanannock General Hays
May, 1858, where his horse was shot rom unuer
MN and ne was taken prisoner by the enemy. The
General only surrendered after desperate resist
his STAFF that three OF the aids and Orderlies
were wounded On reaching Richmond. Va, his
Libby Prison, but was exchanged during the fol-
lowing June, and on reforming the Army or the Po-
General French's Old division In the second
Army corps. AS division commander Hays
entered upon the Gettysburg campaign, and when
General Hancock was wounded he assumed com.
mand OF the second corps. The draft riots and
the troubles in this city attending the evils OF
bounty jumping and the loose system OF recruit.
ing that prevailed IN 1883 made II necessary or
the federal government to send an experienced
and vigorous Officer to restore and maintain order.
General Hays was selected Tor the position and
as Acting Assistant Provost Marshal General he
soon succeeded IN periecting a system that OBJ.
Waited all the previous trouble and CONFUSION,
One OF his orders at that time was intended to
check the practice Of civilians wearing the United
states UNIFORM. General Hays directed that any
Individual found in uniOrIG without authority
or right thereto should be brought before any
provost marshal, who was to strip or all shoulder
straps, buttons other ornaments indicat ing
rank or service. The result was that many
''brave" noodles disappeared from the streets.
much TO the relief OF al veterans.
After this date General Hays was not in the
field. In 1865 he was brevetteu Colonel and Briga-
der General In the regular army, his Iu rank
being that OF Major. At the time oil his death ne
was In command at Fort independence. He died
OF organic disease OF the heart.