I 467 
 
 General Alexander Hays 
 
 AT THE 
 
 BATTIE OF GETTYSBURG. 
 
 EXTRACTS FROM 
 
 Life and Letters of Alexander 
 Hays," 
 
 BY GEORGE T. FLEMING, 
 
 Under the Red Patch/ 
 
 BY GILBERT ADAMS HAYS. 
 
 PITTSBURGH, PA., 1913. 
 

 GENERAL ALEXANDER HAYS. 
 
 "He dared to lead where ojhers dared to follow." 
 
 
IMILITAJJY RECORD GENERA f. ALEXANDER PIAYS. 
 
 Boni l^^ranklin, P;i.. -Inly D, ISI!). 
 
 (lUADirVTE IfNlTKl) StATKS ^MilITAUV AcADKMV, WeST PoINT, 
 
 .July 1, 1844. 
 COMMISSIONS: 
 
 I^revct S(hm.ih1 I ,iciil(Mi;iiii 41 h I'liilcd Stiitcs TiiFaiitiy, 
 July 1, 1844. 
 
 Second Lieuli'iiaiil 8lli riiitcd States rnfantry, June 
 18, 1846. 
 
 Brevet First Jii(nit('iiaiit 8th liuited States Infantry, 
 ]\lay 9, 1846, ''for gallant and distiny;nish('d serviees in 
 the battles of Palo Alto and Resaeea de la Paliiia," 
 Wonnded at Resaeea de la Palma. Participati-d in seven- 
 teen engagements in the Mexican War. 
 
 Resigned Ai)ril 12, 1848. 
 
 JMajor 12th Regiiiieiit Peiinsyh-ania \M)lunteers, April 
 25.1861. 
 
 Ca)>taiti T;th Piiited States Infantry, IMay 14, 1861. 
 Colonel (i;]|-d Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, August 
 25, 1861. 
 
 Brevet I\Ia.j()r, United States Army, June 30, 1862, "for 
 gallant and meritorous services at the Battle of Fair Oaks, 
 Peaeh Orchard and (ilendale, Va." 
 
 Brevet C'olonel United States Army, July 1, 1862, "for 
 gallant and meritorious services at Malvern Hill, Va." 
 
 Severely wounded at Second Bull Run, Va., August 
 30, 1862. 
 
 Brigadier General Uiiited States Volunteers, September 
 29, 1862. 
 
 Brevet Lieut. Col. I'nited States Army, July 2, 1863, 
 "for gallant and mei-itorous services at the Battle of 
 Gettysburg, Pa." 
 
 Brevet iMajor General United States Volunteers, IMay 
 5, 1864, "for gallant and distinguished conduct at the 
 battles of the Peninsula, Gettysburg and the AVilderness." 
 
 Participated in sixteen battles of the Civil War. 
 
 Killed at the Battle of the Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864, 
 aged 45 vears. 
 
THIRD DIVISION, SECOND ARMY CORPS AT 
 GETTYSBURG. 
 
 Coininaiulrd l)y Buigadiek General Alexander Hays. 
 
 First Brigade — Colonel Saiiiucl S. Carroll, 
 lltli Iiuliana, Colonel John Coons. 
 •Itli Ohio, Lient. Colonel Leonard W. Carpenter. 
 8th Ohio, Lieut. Colonel Franklin Sawyer. 
 7th West ViriJ'inia, Colonel Jonathan II. Loekwood. 
 
 Second Brigade — Colonel Thomas A. Smyth, wounded; Lieut. 
 
 Col. Francis E. Pierce, 
 lith Connecticut, ]\Iajor Theodore G. Ellis. 
 1st Delawar-, Lieut. Col. John P. Harris, Capt. Thomas 
 
 B. Hizar, wounded; Lieut. AVilliam Smith, killed; 
 
 Lieut. John T. Dent. 
 12th New Jers(^y, IMajor John T. Hill. 
 10th New York (battalion). Major George P. Hopper. 
 108th New York, Lieut. Col. Francis E. Pierce. 
 
 Third Brigade — Col. George L. Willard, killed; Col. Eliakim 
 
 Sherrill, killed ; Lieut. Col. James M. Bull. 
 39th New York (4 companies), Major Hugo Hildebrandt, 
 
 wounded, 
 lllth New York, Col. Clinton D. ]\IacDougaI, wounded; 
 
 Lieut. Col. Isaac M. Lusk, Capt. Aaron P. Seeley. 
 125th New York, Lieut. Col. Levin Crandell. 
 126th New York, Col. Eliakim Sherrill, Lieut. Col. James 
 
 M. Bull. 
 
 Artillery BRiGADE^Cai)t. John G. Hazard. 
 
 B— 1st New York' (14th N. Y. Battery attached), Lieut. 
 
 Albert S. Sheldon, wounded; Capt. James McKay 
 
 Rorty, killed; Lieut. Robert E. Rogers. 
 A— 1st Rhode Island, Capt. William B. Arnold. 
 B — 1st Rhode Island, Lieut. T. Fred Brown, wounded; 
 
 Lieut. AValter S. Perrine. 
 I — 1st United States, Lieut. George A. Woodruff, mortally 
 
 wounded ; Lieut. Cully ]\IcCrea. 
 A — 4th United States, Lieut. Alonzo H. Gushing, killed; 
 
 Sergt. Frederick Fuger. 
 
OFFICIAL KKFOirr. BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG. 
 
 I>ri(;adier Gexeral Aekxaxder IIavs. 
 
 IIc;i(l(juai'U'r.s Third Division, 2d Army Corps, 
 July 12th, 1863. 
 Lieut. Col. C. II. ^Iorgan, 
 
 Chief of:" Staff. 
 Sir: 
 
 I have the honor to r('[)ort. through yon. the part taken by 
 this Division, in the late battle of Gettysburg. 
 
 On the 2d day of July, the Division moving on the Taney- 
 town road, arrived Avithin about one mile of the town, where it 
 was assigned a position on a ridge, nearly parallel with the road, 
 facing eastward, a stone wall just below the crest of the hill gave 
 much strength to the position, and an open space of half a mile on 
 our front, afforded tht^ artillery posted on the riglit and left 
 Hanks, a fair field for effective service. 
 
 A strong line of skirmishers Avas thrown forward to our 
 front, and during the day contended successfully with the enemy. 
 
 Twice, at least, soldiers were sent from our position by the 
 12th New Jersey, 1st Delaware and 14th Connecticut Regiments, 
 against a barn and house,* one fourth of a mile in advance of 
 our position, returning in each case successfully with prisoners. 
 
 Colonel Willard, of the 125th New York Volunteers, com- 
 manding the 3d Brigade, was early in the day withdrawn from 
 the Division by the ]\Ia,jor General commanding and took a prom- 
 inent part in the engagement on our left. 
 
 The history of the Brigade's operations is written in blood. 
 Colonel AVillard was killed, and next day, after the Brigade had 
 rejoined the Division, his successor. Colonel Eliakim Sherrill, 
 126th New York Volunteers, also fell. Colonel Dougald ]\IcDoug- 
 all, 111th New York Volunteers and ]\Iajor Hugo Hildebrandt, 
 39th New York Volunteers, were each severely Avounded, leaving 
 the Brigade in command of a Lieutenant Colon el. t 
 
 The loss of this J^rigade amounted to one-half of the casual- 
 ties in the Division. 
 
 The operations of the First Brigade, commanded by Colonel 
 S. S. Carroll, are fully set forth in his own accompanying report. 
 Too much credit cannot be given him and his command, for the 
 
 * The Bliss Builcings. jiJames M. Bull, 126th New York. 
 
 5 
 
gallant luaniu'r in which they went to the relief of the troops on 
 our right. The darkness of night was no obstacle and I have no 
 doubt, their timely arrival and merits will be acknowledged by the 
 General commanding in that part of the field. t 
 
 The Second Brigade, Colonel Thomas A. Smyth, ]st Dela- 
 ware, remained continuously in protection of our front, along 
 the stone wall, and in support of our line of skirmishers. 
 
 Throughout the 2d the enemy kept up a desultory fire from 
 their artillery, posted in the skirts of the distant timber, fre- 
 quently shifting their batteries and opening suddenly on our 
 lines, but were silenced or driven off by the effective fire of our 
 artillery. 
 
 The ensuing night passed ni comparative quietness, our men 
 resting on their arms: the daylight of the 3rd was a signal for 
 renewed hostilities and during the forenoon was a repetion of 
 the practice of the proceeding day, except that their skirmishers 
 appeared more pretentious in their assault. About 11 o'clock A. 
 M., an entire lull occurred, which was continued until nearly 
 two o'clock P. ]M. 
 
 Anticipating the movement of the enemy, I caused the 
 house # and barn on .our front, which interrupted the fire of our 
 artillery, to be burned. At the hour last named, they opened 
 upon our front, the most terrific and uninterrupted fire came 
 from their artillery. I cannot believe there w^as less than eighty 
 pieces bearing on us, within good range. 
 
 It w^as continued, uninterrupted until half past four o'clock 
 P. M., when a heavy column of the enemy formed in three lines, 
 preceded by a strong line of skirmishers, debouched from the 
 wood opposite our lines. 
 
 Their inarch was as steady as if impelled by machinery, 
 unbroken by our artillery, which played upon them a storm of 
 missiles. When within a huiulred yards of our line of infantry, 
 the fire of our men could be no longer restrained, our lines arose 
 from behind the stone wall and before the smoke of our first 
 volley had cleared away, the enemy in dismay and consternation, 
 were risking safety in tlight; many attempts to rally them by 
 their officers were vain. In less time than I can count, they were 
 throwing away their arms and appealing most piteously for 
 mercy. 
 
 t Geueral Howard. jf Bliss Buildings. 
 
 6 
 
-^ I V 
 
 General Alexander Havs ' Headquarters Flag, carried at Gettysburg, 
 Blue Tre-Poil on White Ground. In possession of the Hays Family. 
 
The angel of death ahme can prodnee siieh a fiekl as was 
 presented. The Division captured and turned into Corps Head- 
 quarters, fifteen battle flags, or banners, a number of other 
 flag's were captured, but have been surreptitiously disposed of 
 in the subsequent excitement of battle before they could be 
 collected. 
 
 I transmit the report of Lieut. W. E. Potter, showing a 
 collection by him of 2,500 stands of arms, besides an estimate of 
 1,000 left on the field for want of time to collect them. From my 
 own personal examination of the field, I am satisfied the number 
 estimated is not too great. 
 
 Of the prisoners which fell into our hands I regret that an 
 accurate account could not be kept, but by estimate, they cannot 
 be less than 1,500. Colonel Smyth, commanding Second Brigade, 
 was severely wounded in the head and face by a shell, which 
 did not, however, prevent him from returning to duty the 
 next day. 
 
 I commend to the notice of the General connuanding and the 
 War Department, the gallant conduct of my commanders, of 
 Brigades and Regiments, trusting that they, in turn, will not be 
 forgetful of meritorious subordinates. 
 
 Where all behaved exceptionally, it is difficult to discrim- 
 inate. The coolness and determination evinced by our officers 
 and men, which reflect back credit on their former commander. 
 
 I cannot omit the high recommendation of credit which is 
 due Dr. Isaac Scott, Medical Director of the Division, and all 
 his assistants. No case of neglect or evasion of their duties has 
 come to my notice. 
 
 Lieutenant Sullivan (John S.), in charge of Ambulance 
 Corps, deserves the higliest credit for his courage and the fear- 
 less manner he discharged his duties, continually under the fire 
 of the enemy's skirmishers, bringing oft' the wounded and assist- 
 ing in keeping up the stragglers. 
 
 Lieutenant W\ E. Potter, Ordnance Officer, was indefa- 
 tigable in the discharge of his duties. 
 
 Captain George P. Corts, Assistant Adjutant General, and 
 juy Aide-de-Camp, Lieutenant David Shields, 63d Pennsylvania 
 Volunteers, were constantly by my side, exhibiting as always 
 heretofore, self possession and courage of the highest order. 
 Captain Corts lost two horses killed and Lieutenant Shields one. 
 
Division Quartcnuasti'i-, ('aptain J.udinoton and Commis- 
 sary Officer. Captain (^)iu'en. dis(;harged their duties to my entire 
 satisfaction and deserve the notice of their respective depart- 
 ments. 
 
 Second Lieutenant, E. J. Huston, lllth New York Volun- 
 teers, attracted my attention by his exemplary conduct in charge 
 of posting and encouraging our pickets, as a present recognition, 
 I have appointed him an aide on my staff. 
 
 By accompanying report, the entire loss of the Division in 
 the two days' action, will he seen to be 1285 men killed, wounded 
 and missing. 
 
 I am very respectfully, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 (Signed) ALEX. HAYS, 
 Brigadier General of Volunteers 
 
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 11 
 
AS 0TPIER8 SAW IILM. 
 
 "Oil the third day of the Batth^ of Gettysburg, General Hays, 
 eominanding the Third Division of the Seeond Army Corps, 
 finds himself opposed to General Pickett and others of General 
 Hays' classmates at West Point, and comrades of the ^Mexican 
 AA^ar, who had been cannonading the opposing lines for some 
 time, without effect, then moves his troops across the field, think- 
 ing, no doubt, that his veterans will drive these raw militia like 
 chaff before the wind. ]jut they meet General Hays and his vet- 
 erans ; he has jnit fight into them, lie restrains himself and his 
 men until the enemy is at close quarters. Then the word is 
 '■'Up and at them.'' His rapid, well directed firing sent the 
 colunui reeling in confusion back upon its rear and center. A 
 hurricane, charged with lead and fire and death, consumes them. 
 
 The battle was won. This was the decisive charge, and 
 General Hays was a hero among the heroes of Gettysburg. He 
 takes from the enemy that day, twenty-one regimental banners 
 or battl(> flags, three thousand stands of arms, and captures about 
 twice the number of liis command. Out of sixteen mounted order- 
 lies he has but two left. He has lost all of his Colonels; Lieuten- 
 ant Colonels conniiand Brigades; Lieutenants command Regi- 
 ments. Two of his horses are killed under him; his entire staff 
 is unhorsed. Their steeds lie dead where they fell, or are in 
 their last agonies." 
 
 Colonel S. D. Oliphant, 
 8th I'ennsylvania Reserves. 
 
 A correspondent of a Buffalo newspaper, himself a soldier, 
 and who was upon that fatal hill when the battle was at its 
 height, beholding the deeds of valor of this brave leader and his 
 fearlessness Avhen the very air seemed freighted with danger, 
 thus described him : 
 
 "I wish you coold have seen the picture, just at the close of 
 last Friday's battle, on the left of our center, of which his 
 splendid figure formed a prominent part. Our little brigade, 
 which had been lying on Cemetery Hill, was ordered over to the 
 position that was so valiantly, but unsuccessfully charged by 
 Pettigrew's Rebel Division. We hurried there through a storm 
 
 12 
 
of sliot and shell, l)ut (inly arrived in lime to see the grand 
 linale, the tahleau vivants, and, alas, uiorants, at the close of the 
 <lraina. The enemy's hatteries wei-e still playing briskly, and 
 their sharjishooters kejit up a lixely tii-e, l)ut their infantry. 
 slain and wounded and routed, were pouring, prisoners, into our 
 lines throughout their whole extent. 
 
 "Then enter Alexander Hays, Brigadier General United 
 States Army, the brave American soldier. Six feet or more in 
 height, erect and smiling, lightly holding in hand his horse — 
 the third -within an hour, a noble animal, his flanks be-spattered 
 with blood, he seized a captured rebel flag, handing one to each 
 of his aides, David Shields and George P. Corts, all three dash- 
 ing along in front of our Division line, trailing ignominiously 
 in the dust the enemy's flags, now rushing out in the opim field, 
 a mark for a hundred sharpshooters, but never touched, now 
 quietly cantering back to our lines to be welcomed with a storm 
 of cheers. I reckon him the grandest view of my life. I bar 
 not Niagara. It was the arch spirit of glorious victory triumph- 
 ing wildly over the fallen foe. 
 
 "The night after, I met General Hays again. After the fight 
 of Friday afternoon, we held the battlefield, our skirmishers 
 forming a line on the outer edge of it. The field was strewn 
 with Rebel wounded. It was impossible for us to bring them 
 in Friday night ; every apology for a hospital being crowded, 
 (»ur own wounded, in many cases lying out all night. But on 
 Saturday morning, bandsmen were sent out with litters to bring 
 in the poor fellows, and were fired upon so briskly liy the Rebel 
 sharpshooters that it was impossible to help them. Stories 
 similar to this I had often heard, but never believed, but this 
 came under my own observation. So all day Saturday the poor 
 fellows lay there, praying for death. When night fell, another 
 officer of my regimen.t and myself got a few volunteers to go with 
 us. thinking there might be some who could creep into our lines, 
 supported on either side, by one of us. IMay God preserve me 
 from such a position again! AVe could do almost nothing. Of 
 a thousand wounded men we found one whom four of us could 
 carry into our lines in a blanket. Other poor souls would think 
 they could accomplish it, but at the slightest change of position, 
 would fall back screaming in awful agony. Litters we had none. 
 Then appeared General Hays in another light, less of the 
 
 13 
 
1)ravad() perhaps, not less of the hero. He sent out two compan- 
 ies, who cleared the rebel sharpshooters from a position they 
 held in a mined building, busied himself in procuring litters and 
 bearers, and before morning many of the poor fellows were 
 safe within our lines. It is not my good fortune to be personally 
 acquainted with this General Alexander Hays, but I wish every- 
 one, as far as I can effect it, to honor him as the bravest of 
 soldiers, and love him as the best hearted of men. A true chev- 
 alier he nuist be, sans peur et sans reproche. It seems mirac- 
 ulous that General Hays escaped unharmed." 
 
 The character of General liays was manifested in the 
 letter acknowledging the receipt of a magnificent sword, pre- 
 sented him by the citizens of Pittsburgh, a few months after the 
 Battle of Gettysburg, in which he says: "When the rebellion 
 broke upon us like a tornado, in the desecration of our flag at 
 Sumter. I took oath never to sheath my sword until honorable 
 peace should restore us to one glorious Union." 
 
 General Walker, in his "History of the Second Army 
 Corps," thus speaks of General Hays at Gettysburg: 
 
 "Here was to be seen the new division commander. General 
 xMexander Hays, with his staff and his flag following him, 
 dashing along the skirmish line, inciting his men to renewed 
 activity, in the eye of both armies. Such demonstrations whieh^ 
 with General Hays, were of frequent occurrence, Avere likely to 
 give the impression that he was a mere hot headed fighter ; 
 whereas, in fact, his extraordinary Auvacity in battle was united 
 with a soundness of judgment and firmness of temper which 
 made him one of the most useful officers in the service." 
 
 14 
 

 o 
 
Of the Confederate battle flags captured. General Hancock's 
 Official Ki'port of the liattle of Gettysburg, is quoted: 
 
 ''There \\ere nndouljtedlv thirty-three colors captured." 
 
 Of these General .Mexander Hays' coirnnand, the Third 
 Division of the Second Army Corps, captured twenty-one. 
 
 In the history of the 12Gth New Yorlc Regiment, "Disaster, 
 Struggle and Triumph," this incident is described: 
 
 "At Gettysburg when Longstreet 's memorable charge of 
 the 3rd of July had been repelled, and the twelve regiments of 
 Hays' Division had captured 2600 prisoners and 21 stands of 
 colors, General Hays took a rebel l^ag, and two of his staff. Capt. 
 George P. Corts, Assistant Adjutant General, and Lieut. David 
 Shields, each with a captured flag, rode down in front of his 
 corainand and in the rear, trailing the rebel colors in the dust, 
 and, amid deafening shouts and cheers of the men, who for a 
 moment forgot the terrible scenes and thought only of the glory 
 of their victory." 
 
 The burning of the Bliss barn is thus mentioned in the 
 official report of Col. Thomas A. Smyth. 1st Delaware Volunteers, 
 commanding the Second Brigade of the Second Corps : 
 
 "Artillery firing from both sides began at 4 A. ^I. on the 
 morning of the 3rd. the hi^avii'st firing being on our right. 
 Skirmishing with artillery and infantry continued all along the 
 line untd 10:80 A. M., when the lull ensued, which lasted up to 
 2 P. ^I. The barn and house near it being re-occupied by the 
 enemy's sharpshooters, an order was received from General 
 Alexander Hays, commanding the Division, to take the house 
 and barn at all hazards and hold it. The 14th Connecticut were 
 detailed on this service, which it gallantly performed. Soon 
 after, an order came from General Hays to burn the house and 
 barn and they were accordingly fired." 
 
 How this firing was accomplished is told by General Clinton 
 D. ^lacDougal, Colonel of the 111th New York Volunteers, who 
 was in command of the Third Brigade during the fight, until 
 wounded : 
 
 16 
 
"T.ikc tlu' iiicifU'iit ol:' the l)uniiiiLC of tlic P)liss hnrn. As 
 soon as General Hays discovered that it was occupied by the 
 enemy's sharpshoot'Ts. he asked ine if I had a man in my com- 
 ninnd. who woidd N'oluntcei" to y'o down ;iiid fir,' tliat I)Mi'n. Tlu' 
 troops were lying down at the time. I stei)ped in fi'ont of my 
 I'cg'iment (the lllth New York), and asked 'who will go down 
 and tire that l)arn:' Fully half a dozen hands went up. Sergt. 
 Charles A. Hitchcock, of Company G, having raised the first 
 hand. I designated him, giving him a box of matches and a lot of 
 newspapers. He started on the double(|uiek. taking a zigzag 
 course on beyond our skirmishers until he reached the barn, 
 as soon as he passed beyond the skirmishers he was loudly 
 cheered. \Vith his bunch of papers he tired the bam in one 
 corner, under which he found some hay. On his return he was 
 Avounded in the arm. He was promot(^d to a Lieutenancy upon 
 the recommendation of General Hays for this gallant act, and 
 was the father of Raymond Hitchcock, the actor. Upon report- 
 ing to General Hays the success of his mission, he handed the 
 General a bunch of flowers picked u]) at the barn upon leaving 
 it, these flowers, carefully prt^served, b 'ing now in possession of 
 the Hays family." 
 
 Of this Hower, General Hays, in a letter written to his 
 daughter just after the fight, says: 
 
 "The flower I stnt to Grandma came from the garden of the 
 iield of Gettysburg, from the house where our pickets fought so 
 wickedly, and which I afterward caused to be burned. It was 
 given me by the Sergeant (Charles Hitchcock) who volunteered 
 to go forward amidst a shower of balls to burn the house. He 
 fulfilled his mission and returned severely wounded." 
 
 Another act of General Hays on the opening of the third 
 day's fight is vouched for. not only by many prominent officers 
 of the Union Army, as well as by Confederate. General ]\Iac- 
 Dougal thus describes it : 
 
 "On the arriA-al at Gettysburg on the morning of the 2nd, 
 the usual skirmisli lines were thrown out. I can never forget 
 the first act of superb gallantry I noticed in General Hays. 
 The line of skirmishers on our right was hard pressed and gave 
 way. In an instant General Hays rode down at a gallop 
 mounted on his big bay 'Dan,' with an orderly carrying his 
 
 17 
 
Division Flag, followed by his other orderlies.* The line was 
 at once re-estahlished and never liroken again. It was the first 
 and only time I ever saw a Division Commander with his staff 
 on the skirmish line, where they were targets for hundreds of 
 shar])shooters." 
 
 THE GENEKAL'S LETTERS HOME. 
 On the Battlefield. 
 
 Near Gettysburg, Pa., July 4th, 1863. 
 Yesterday was a warm one for us. The fight of my Division 
 was a perfect success. Corts, Shields and rnyself were untouched. 
 *'Dan"t was killed, and "Leet" severely wounded. Corts and 
 Shields each lost a horse. 
 
 We are all sanguine of ridding our soil of the invaders. 
 
 You have heard so much of Gettysburg, that as myself, you 
 desire to hear no more. Only that providence protected us, I 
 cannot account for our escape. AVomen may lecture on "The 
 Horrors of War, ' ' but such a scene of carnage I never imagined. 
 Carnage, himself (if an artist), could not paint the picture. 
 Dead horses, shattered carriages, dead and dying men, in all 
 the last agonies of death, for two full hours, would have para- 
 lyzed any one, not trained to the "butcher trade." I was fight- 
 ing for my native state and before I went in, thought of those 
 at home I so dearly love. If Gettysburg was lost, all was lost 
 for them, and I only interposed a life that would be otherwise 
 worthless. But if we suffered, the poor Rebels suffered terribly, 
 ten fold. 
 
 The night following the battle of the Third, I rode out and 
 over the battlefield at two o'clock A. M. I could scarcely find 
 passage for my liorse, for the dead and wounded. In one road 
 it was impassable, until I had them removed. The shrieks of 
 anguish and prayers for relief were heart rending. 
 
 I only feel that this is a trial, not a judgment, upon our 
 nation, and that we will come out of it as "refined gold" and that 
 my children will be enabled to sing "Columbia, Columbia, to 
 glory arise, the Queen of the world, and the child of the skies." 
 
 * Corporal Carrol, 5th New York Cavalry, carried the flag, the two 
 Orderlies being Privates Jonas Thornton and William Petemian, of the 
 Jst Ohio Cavalry, all three receiving commissions through General Hays 
 for this gallant act. t "Dan" and "Leet" were liis horses. 
 
 18 
 
Taiicytown, .Maryhiiid, July 7th, 18G3. 
 I have written sevenil limes since the eventfnl third, to 
 assure you that all was well with us. I mean Corts, Shields and 
 myself. Our tight with the Rebels on the 3rd was most territie. 
 
 I commanded the Third Division of the Second Army Corps. 
 Opposed to me were A. P. Hill and George E. Pickett, besides 
 several others of my old acquaintances. 
 
 They thought they were attacking raw militia. After can- 
 nonading us for an hour, they advanced across the plain and 
 were met from behind our stone wall by a volley which swept 
 them like a tornado. It will not be credited, but we (I mean the 
 Third Division), took double our own number of prisoners, 
 killed twice our own numbers and took nearly 3,000 stands of 
 arms. It is called the decisive battle of Gettysburg. 
 
 I am untouched, as are also Corts and Shields, which is 
 miraculous, although we all lost our horses. "Dave Shields had 
 the shoulder of his coat blown off by a shell." "Dan" was 
 killed by a cannon ball through the heart, just after I had 
 exchanged him for "Leet." "Leet" was shot severely in the 
 breast, three balls. One has been extracted and will be sent 
 to Leet Shields. Out of twt'uty mounted orderlies, I have but 
 five or six left. 
 
 Of your acquaintances, I have lost all my Colonels, Lieut- 
 enant Colonels commanding Brigades, and Lieutenants com- 
 manding regiments. 
 
 The battle cannot be described, except as the most terrible 
 fought between men. 
 
 My Division has taken twenty banners or battle tlags, more 
 than all the balance of the army and the Third Division is at 
 a high premium. 
 
 Near "Jones Cross Roads," Maryland. 
 
 July 13th, 1863. 
 "The Cross Roads" are six miles and equi-distant from 
 Hagerstown, AVilliamsport and Boones. 
 
 My Division is formed along the heights near the Hagers- 
 town road. It forms one of the links of the Anaconda which 
 holds Lee 's Army in its coils. 
 
 19 
 
AVhen [ took coininand of it. tlu^ Third Division, only two 
 weeks ago, it was considered large. Since then, however, it has 
 become more respectable, although its numbers have diminished. 
 In the Battle of Gettysburg I lost 1,262 men. AYe, however, can 
 count live of the enemy to one of ours. The killed of the enemy 
 alone outiunnbers my whole Division two to one. The arms we 
 captured will give us three guns to each man. Our prisoners 
 also, outnumber us two to one. I have sent forward to Headquar- 
 ters, seventeen (17) of the enemy's standards and know of at 
 least five others which were surreptitiously disposed of. Such a 
 capture of Hags was never known before. 
 
 The Second Corps .justly claim the honor of the repulse 
 of the enemy, and it is conceded that the Third Division 
 (Hays') Second Army (Jorps, fought the decisive action — • 
 killed, \^'ounded, prisoners and banners, speak convincingly of 
 our claims. I have written of the loss of my horse. Noble old 
 "Dan" died a soldier's death. A solid shot passed through his 
 heart just after I had dismounted from him and he died without 
 a struggle. He lies in an honored grave, dug by Henry and the 
 other servants. "licet" was soon afterwards shot in the breast 
 with three balls and totally disabled. ]\[y third horse was one of 
 ''Uncle Sam's" and of little account. Corts' horse, as well as 
 Shields' was killed. I had about fifteen mounted orderlies when 
 the battle began, at the end only two. One of them lost his 
 horse and the other — my Standard Bearer — had his flag staff 
 cut in two. The shoulder of Shields' coat was blown away. 
 Corts had his knuckles skinned. I escaped totally unscathed, 
 although all expected to see me go under. Once in the forenoon 
 my pickets (The Garilialdi Guards), who were posted near a 
 liarn, half a mile from my front, were repulsed by the rebel 
 sharpshooters and retreated in disorder. 
 
 "Dan" was then living and on him I dashed over the plain, 
 followed by my standard bearer (who is a reckless, devil-may- 
 care Irishman),! We rallied the runaways, put them in position 
 again, retaking the barn. This was in full view of both lines 
 and fair range of the enemy's bullets. Our line held their 
 breaths in surprise and I have since been told by several Generals, 
 that they expected to see me blown up each minute. The enemy 
 appeared to have been surprised, for not a gun of theirs opened 
 
 t Corpoi'al Carroll. 
 
 20 
 
■mill my missi,,,, 1k„I luvn ruHill,,! .-iihI I h;,,] ncjirly ivncli..,! cur 
 linos, when all the rebel batteries opened np,,,, ,„<■ ,•,,,. I shonvred 
 shot and shell around. Just as I entered onr lines, Colon..! 
 'Dick" Coulter eaiue to oon^n-atulate me, when a sliell stniek 
 a tree between ns, glanced off and killed several of our uwn 
 who had been drawn from behind their dc'l'enses from curiosity. 
 iMready there is shown a disposition to rob me of my rigli't 
 I'Ht i1 can't be done. You have heard that all the Colonels of 
 my old Brigade weiv lost, tw.. killed an<l two srverdv wound..! " 
 
 21 
 
TRIBUTES OF FELLOW OFFICERS. 
 
 "One of our excellent comnianders, General Alexander Ilays, 
 was killed. I had been with him at West Point and had served 
 with him in the same regiment in the Mexican War. He was a 
 most gallant oiheer, ready to lead his connnand wherever ordered. 
 With him it was "Come, boys, not Go ! " 
 
 General LI. S. Grant, "Personal I\remoirs." 
 
 ''General Alexander Hays, that dauntless soldier, whose 
 intre])id and eliih-alrie bearing on so many battle fields, had won 
 for him the highest renown, was killed at the head of his 
 command." 
 
 General Wintield S. ILmeoek 
 
 Tlie losses had been heavy. Among the killed that after- 
 noon was General Alexander Hays. At Gettysburg, at Bristoe, 
 at Aline Ran, at Morton's Ford, this devoted officer rode, his 
 staff and his flag behind him, a mark for a thousand riflemen, the 
 admiration of the two armies, only to fall in a tangled wilder- 
 ness, where scarce a regiment could note his person and derive 
 inspiration from his courage and martial enthusiasm. 
 
 General Francis A. Walker, 
 "History of the Second Army Corps." 
 
 "Hays himself (a classmate of Hancock, l)oth being in the 
 class after Grant), during a lull rode down the line of battle 
 with his staff and when he reached his old regiemnt, the 63rd 
 Pennsylvania, he stopped. While he was speaking a kindly 
 word, a bulhH struck him just below the cord of his hat, crashing 
 into his braiii ; he fell from his horse and died within a few 
 hours and a braver spirit never rose from any field." 
 
 Colonel Morris Schaff, 
 "Battle of the AVilderness. " 
 
 "Among our losses is General Alexander Hays, of Pitts- 
 burgh, Avho was killed. For a time Hays' Brigade bore the brunt 
 of the rebel attack. Hays asked for reinforcements. Hancock 
 
 22 
 
replied, 'T will send ;i I>i'i<i-;i(l(' in luciily iiiimilcs. 'I'dl TIays 
 to hold liis <ii"()Uiid. He can do it. 1 know him to be a [)o\verful 
 man.' lie did hohl it, but it cost him his life." 
 
 Special in New York Tribune. 
 "The liji.'htiiii'' had beeouie exceedingly severe on that part 
 of the field. General Alexander Hays, one of the most gallant 
 officers in the service, coiiimanding one of Hancock's Brigades, 
 iinding that his line had been broken, rushed forward to reorgan- 
 ize his troo])s and was instantly killed. * * * After remain- 
 ing some time with Hancock's men, I returned to headquarters 
 to report the situation to the General-in-Chief and carry to him 
 the sad intelligence of Hays' death. General Grant was by no 
 means a demonstrative man, but upon learning the intelligence 
 1 brought, he was visibly affected. He was seated upon the 
 ground with his back against a tree, still whittling pine sticks. 
 He sat for a time without uttering a word, and then, speaking 
 in a low voice and pausing between the sentences, said, Hays 
 and I were cadets together for three years. We served for a 
 time in the same regiment in the JMexican War. He was a nobl(3 
 man and a gallant ol'fieer. I am not surprised that he met his 
 death at the head of his troops; it was just like him. He was a 
 man who would never follow, but would always lead in battle." 
 
 General Horace Porter, 
 ''Campaigning with Grant." 
 
 What more fitting tribute could be paid the memory of 
 General Hays than that in the formal official report of his 
 death: ''The fighting became very fierce at once, the lines of 
 battle being so very close. The musketry continuous and deadly 
 along the whole line. General Alexander Ha^^s, an officer of 
 distinguished gallantry, was killed at the head of his command." 
 
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