John H. Hays
Hays in 1895
Born(1844-08-04)August 4, 1844
Jefferson County, Ohio
DiedJanuary 27, 1904(1904-01-27) (aged 59)
Troy, Idaho
Buried
Moscow Cemetery, Moscow, Idaho
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
RankPrivate
UnitIowa Company F, 4th Iowa Volunteer Cavalry Regiment
Battles/warsCivil War
Awards Medal of Honor
Spouse(s)
Nancy Cox
​
(m. 1868)​

John Henry Hays (4 August 1844 – 27 January 1904) was a veteran of the American Civil War and recipient of the Medal of Honor.

Biography

Hays was born in Ohio, but moved to the state of Iowa at the age of fifteen. He worked on his family's farm for the next three years. In 1862, Hays volunteered to join the Union Army. He was injured multiple times throughout the war, surviving a gunshot wound to his left thumb and being struck by debris from a falling bridge.[1]

Battle of Columbus

On April 16, 1865, seven days following the surrender of Confederate General Robert E. Lee at Appomattox Court House, Hays marched on Columbus, Georgia to secure the city's naval yards, weapons factories and supply depots. During the ensuing battle, Hays stormed a bridge over the Chattahoochee River and helped to capture a fort guarding it. During the battle for the fort, Hays captured the flag and the flag bearer of an Austin Battery stationed there. He received the Medal of Honor for this act.[1]

Citation

Capture of flag and bearer Austin's Battery (C.S.A.).[2]

Later life

Hays returned to his family farm following the conclusion of the Civil War. However, he left to open a blacksmith shop in Greenfield, Iowa in 1868. He later moved to Troy, Idaho in 1888 and opened a new blacksmith shop. The shop was ultimately destroyed in a fire. Hays began prospecting following the destruction of his shop and experienced some success at mining for silver. In 1894, Hays was appointed City Marshall of Troy.[1]

Death

On January 27, 1904, Hays attempted to arrest Paine Sly for domestic disturbance. Sly killed Hays in the ensuing shoot-out. Although fatally wounded, Hays returned fire and was able to injure Sly. Sly was later convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.[3]

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 "Pvt. John Henry Hays". State Historical Society of Iowa. Archived from the original on 18 May 2014. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
  2. ↑ "HAYS, JOHN H." Home of Heroes. Retrieved 17 May 2014.
  3. ↑ "Marshal John Henry Hays, Troy Police Department, Idaho". The Officer Down Memorial Page, Inc. Retrieved 14 December 2021.

"John H. Hays". Claim to Fame: Medal of Honor recipients. Find a Grave. Retrieved 14 December 2021.


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