Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-23

a lieutenant of his company.
Hardly had his service commenced when
he was commissioned captain of Company
X, 5Sth Pennsylvania Volunteers. In
short time he had made one of the heroic
records Of the civil war. At the battle OF
Chapin's Farm. or Fort Harris. Va. Sep
TENDER o. 1884 his heroism won him the
communication of his superior officers and
a medal Of honor from the government.
He was in command of his regiment, lead
ing his men over the parapet Of the enemy,
when the color bearer of another regiment
was shot down. Col. Clay. despite the
command of the regiment, seized the COL
ors and bore them aloft. In a minute he
was almost ridded with bullets. Two bull
let's plewed through his right arm below
the elbow. causing the loss of the limb
below that point. and another went through
his left hand. The very next day he was
Commended in general orders. and was
commissioned major. Upon recovering
from his wounds he was sent out on court
martial duty and commissioned a lieuten-
ant colonel. He didn't relish light duty,
however. and asked for field duty with his
regiment Upon going back to his regi-
ment he was commissioned colonel, re-
naming with the regiment until more than
year after the close of the war, being
in charge of a number of counties in Vir-
GINA. with headquarters at Staunton. As
further recognition Of his splendid serv-
Ices Congress. in March. 1866. created him
q brevet brigadier general, and he was
awarded a medal of honor.
Although his left hand was shot through
and his right hand was gone. Gen. Clay
became one of the most noted rifle shots in
the country. and was famous for his con-
quests of wild game. He went to Canada
and killed for the Smithsonian Institution
the great moose the head Of which is on
exhibition at the institution
Interest in National Guard.
Gen. Clay took a deep interest. along
with Gen. Ordway. in the organization of
the National Guard of the District, and for
many years was In command of the I'd
Regiment. His friends desired that he be
made commanding officer of the District
militia, and were greatly disappointed when
he failed to receive the appointment
Gen. Clay was a member of the Medal
of Honor Legion and of the Loyal Legion
being also member of the newly formed
Medal of Honor Club In this city and the
University Club. AS a churchman, Gen.
Clay untiring Christian worker.
He a member of ST. Andrews Prot
estant Episcopal Church and of the Prison
ers Aid Society of the District churches.
He was a ember of the National Council
Of the Brotherhood of ST. Andrew and had
been sNlected as chairman of the hospital
ity committee for the conv ention of the
brotherhood to be held here in short time.
Gen. Clay's Christian work and benevo-
lence extended far beyond the church For
many years he was member of the board
OF TRUSTEES of the reform school of the
District. at one time being president of the
board. Because of a pressure of work he
was compelled to resign about two years
ago
General Agent of Department of
Justice.
At the time of his death, Gen. Clay was
general agent OF the Department of JUS
tice. the best paying position in the de-
partment outside of presidential offices. He
had charge of federal prisons and prisoners
throughout the country His loss to the
department is keenly felt This was shown
by Attorney General Bonaparte today. when
he said to a Star reporter: This depart
ment feels keenly the loss of Gen Clay. He
was faithful. able. efficient officer, beloved
by all those with whom he came In con-
tact"
Before being made general agent of the
Department of Justice Gen. Clay had been
chief clerk for twenty years. having been
appointed to that position by Attorney Gen
eral Brewster. He entered the department
as clerk from West Virginia in 1881 and
two years later was made chief clerk hold
Ing the place until appointed general agent
four years ago.
Ger. S..y ieaves a wife, one son and a
daughter-John Cecil Clay. an artist in New
York. and Miss Cornelia Clay.
The funeral services will be held at 2:30
o'clock Wednesday afternoon at St An
drew's Church, and the interment will be
private In Arlington cemetery.