James Lewis Hays (October 27, 1835 - March 21, 1920) served as a private in Company H, 13th Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry.
James L. Hays, ca. 1890.
Personal life[]
James Hays was born October 27, 1835 in Carter County, Tennessee to George and Honor (Snow) Hays. He married first Rebecca Lyon (1841-1895) with whom he had at least twelve children. He married second Martha Clauson (1835-aft 1920); they had no children.
Civil War service[]
Hays enlisted as a private in Company H on August 18, 1864 in Strawberry Plains, Tennessee for a period of three years and mustered in October 26, 1864 at New Market, Tennessee.
He is described as 29 years old, 5' 10" tall, fair complexion, gray eyes, light hair, and by occupation a farmer.
Hays is listed as present for duty throughout his term of service for which muster roll records have survived.
Hays mustered out with the regiment on September 5, 1865 at Knoxville. He had never been paid, owed $18.62 to the government for clothing, and was owed a $100 bounty.
Post-war life[]
Hays applied for an invalid's pension on February 21, 1883. He died March 21, 1920 in Elizabethton, Tennessee due to lobar pneumonia and is buried at Lyons Cemetery in Keenburg, Tennessee.