Civil War Medal of Honor recipient. Hays enlisted from Mahaska County, Iowa as a Private in Company "F", 4th Iowa Cavalry on 11 January 1864. At the Battle of Columbus, Georgia on 16 April 1865, Hays was part of the lead assault on a bridge over the Chattahoochee River, guarded by members of Austin's Battery (C.S.A.). As his Company overtook the position, he helped capture the Battery's flag and the flagbearer.
He mustered out in Atlanta on 8 August 1865. He married Nancy Jane Cox in Albia, Iowa on 21 November 1868; they had at least five children. After the War, he farmed in Kansas, then moved to Idaho in 1888 where he worked as a blacksmith, and later mined for silver. He was appointed City Marshall of Troy in 1894. While attempting to make an arrest, he was mortally wounded in a shootout with the suspect.
He mustered out in Atlanta on 8 August 1865. He married Nancy Jane Cox in Albia, Iowa on 21 November 1868; they had at least five children. After the War, he farmed in Kansas, then moved to Idaho in 1888 where he worked as a blacksmith, and later mined for silver. He was appointed City Marshall of Troy in 1894. While attempting to make an arrest, he was mortally wounded in a shootout with the suspect.
Civil War Medal of Honor recipient. Hays enlisted from Mahaska County, Iowa as a Private in Company "F", 4th Iowa Cavalry on 11 January 1864. At the Battle of Columbus, Georgia on 16 April 1865, Hays was part of the lead assault on a bridge over the Chattahoochee River, guarded by members of Austin's Battery (C.S.A.). As his Company overtook the position, he helped capture the Battery's flag and the flagbearer.
He mustered out in Atlanta on 8 August 1865. He married Nancy Jane Cox in Albia, Iowa on 21 November 1868; they had at least five children. After the War, he farmed in Kansas, then moved to Idaho in 1888 where he worked as a blacksmith, and later mined for silver. He was appointed City Marshall of Troy in 1894. While attempting to make an arrest, he was mortally wounded in a shootout with the suspect.
He mustered out in Atlanta on 8 August 1865. He married Nancy Jane Cox in Albia, Iowa on 21 November 1868; they had at least five children. After the War, he farmed in Kansas, then moved to Idaho in 1888 where he worked as a blacksmith, and later mined for silver. He was appointed City Marshall of Troy in 1894. While attempting to make an arrest, he was mortally wounded in a shootout with the suspect.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
Inscription
AGED
61 YEARS
MEDAL OF HONOR
CO F 4 IOWA CAV
CIVIL WAR
Family Members
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