CSA Bios: Hays, Hawthorn

[Battleline]

Brig. Gen. Harry T. Hays (b. 1820, d. 1876) Leader of the Louisiana Brigade for much of the war, Harry Thompson Hays fought much of the war with the Army of Northern Virginia. Born in Wilson County, Tennessee, April 14, 1820, Hays spent his youth in Wilkinson County, Mississippi. Orphaned at an early age, he was brought up by an uncle. He graduated from St. Mary’s College in Baltimore and studied law. He moved to New Orleans to practice law and later moved into politics. During the Mexican War, Hays fought with distinction as a member of the Fifth Louisiana Cavalry. Returning, he advanced in Whig Party politics. In 1852, he was an elector on the Scott ticket. When the Civil War came, Hays entered Confederate service as colonel of the Seventh Louisiana Infantry. In Virginia, the unit fought as an individual regiment at First Manassas (Bull Run) July 21, 1861. Sent to the Shenandoah Valley, the Seventh Louisiana captured four guidons in a skirmish at Middletown May 26, 1862. During a victory at the Battle of Port Republic, the unit was heavily engaged with Federal forces, suffering 156 killed and wounded, according to a report by Gen. Richard Taylor, the brigade commander. Hays was one of the wounded. While recovering, he was promoted to brigadier general (July 25, 1862) and given command of the Louisiana Brigade following the promotion and transfer of Taylor. Hays led his brigade into heavy combat at Sharpsburg (Antietam) Sept. 17, 1862. During the battle, a Federal victory, Hays led his veterans in a charge at Miller’s Cornfield. The brigade lost nearly half of its strength in this action. Part of Gen. Jubal Early’s division, the brigade was part of a counterattack during the victory at Fredericksburg, Dec. 13, 1862. During the Confederate victory at Chancellorsville, the brigade was engaged at Marye’s Heights. At the Battle of Gettysburg, Hays led two brigades up Cemetery Hill, briefly taking the strategic heights. Not supported, Hays had to retreat. The Louisiana brigade was overrun and routed at the Battle of Rappahannock Station, Nov. 7, 1863, a Federal victory. Hays briefly was captured, but escaped through a gauntlet of gunfire. Survivors then entered action opposed to Grant’s Overland Campaign. At times, Hays led the remnants of two Louisiana brigades. At Spotsylvania Court House, Hays was wounded again May 10, 1864. After his recovery, he was sent west to the Trans-Mississippi Department. Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith assigned Hays as a major general, but there was little left to command. After the war, Hays took an oath of allegiance and returned to New Orleans. Sheriff of Orleans Parish, Hays was removed from office by Gen. Phil Sheridan after the New Orleans Riot of 1866. Hays returned to his law practice until his death Aug. 21, 1876, of Bright’s Disease. He was buried in New Orleans.

Brig. Gen. Alexander T. Hawthorn (b. 1825, d. 1899) Lawyer, soldier and minister, Alexander Travis Hawthorn (last name sometimes spelled Hawthorne) enjoyed a variety of careers during his life. Born near Evergreen, Alabama, Jan. 10, 1825, Hawthorn received education at the Evergreen Academy, Mercer University and Yale University. After two years of law study at Yale, Hawthorn settled in Camden, Arkansas, to begin his law practice in 1847. When the Civil War began, Hawthorn joined the Sixth Arkansas Infantry, then forming at Little Rock. He was elected lieutenant colonel of the regiment. The regiment was hit by disease while in camp in 1861. In the spring of 1862, Hawthorn was promoted to colonel. The unit’s original commander, Col. Richard Lyon, died in an accident while overseeing the crossing of the Tennessee River Oct. 10, 1861. The unit’s first major action came at the Battle of Shiloh, April 6-7, 1862. On the Confederate left, the unit experienced the thrill of victory on the first day and was able to rearm itself with Springfield rifles captured from the Federals. On the second day, the regiment retreated with the rest of the Confederate forces. Under Gen. Braxton Bragg, Hawthorn’s command participated in the Invasion of Kentucky. After the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, Oct. 8, 1862, the Sixth and Seventh Arkansas were consolidated (Dec. 15, 1862). After the Battle of Murfreesboro (Stones River) at the end of 1862, Hawthorn received reassignment to the Trans-Mississippi Department. Hawthorn was cited for gallantry during a costly defeat at Arkansas Post (Jan. 10-11, 1863). He took a command in the division of Gen. Thomas Churchill. Promoted to brigadier general to rank from Feb. 18, 1864, Hawthorn commanded the Fifth Brigade, which consisted mainly of Tennessee troops. He commanded this force through the Red River Campaign of 1864 as the Federals attempted to take Shreveport, Louisiana. As Federal troops of Gen. Steele retired toward Little Rock, Hawthorn’s men were engaged in the Battle of Jenkins’ Ferry April 26, 1864. Steele’s command escaped, but at a cost. After the war, Hawthorn was one of a group who left the United States and settled in Brazil. Due to his wife’s illness, Hawthorn returned to the U.S. And settled in Atlanta. After spending six years in business, he was ordained into the Baptist ministry. He moved to Texas, dying in Dallas May 31, 1899. He was buried in Marshall, Texas.

[Gil R.]

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Just two weeks left in this hellish semester, after which I'll have time to start getting some bios done. My goal is to edit at least fifty in the next two months or so.