Brig. Gen. Alexander Hays commanded the Third Division of the Second Corps at Gettysburg.
About the Main Monument
When was it dedicated? Installed before July 1, 1919.
What is it made out of? Sculpture: bronze; Base: granite.
What size is it? Sculpture: approx. 6 ft. x 2 ft. 9 in. x 2 ft. 9 in.; Base: approx. 8 ft. 4 in. x 6 ft. 10 in. x 6 ft. 10 in.
Who made it? Schweizer, J. Otto, 1863-1955, sculptor. Gorham Manufacturing Company, founder. Van Amringe Granite Company, fabricator.
What does it depict? A standing portrait of General Hays holding a sword in each hand. The sculpture is mounted on rough granite base adorned with an inscription tablet on the front and a bronze tablet of bearing the Pennsylvania State seal. The monument is one of several that the Pennsylvania State Assembly appropriated money for on July 24, 1913. In September 2004, this monument was vandalized when thieves stole the sword.
When was this photograph taken? December 11, 2011.
Where is it located? Located Gettysburg National Military Park, North end of Hancock Avenue near Ziegler Grove, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325. Located at the northwest corner of Ziegler’s Grove fronting Hancock Avenue.
Is this monument located along the NPS Auto Tour route? Yes.
Has this monument been moved or changed? This monument has not been moved or materially altered.
Monument Details, Alternative Views, and Contextual Views
At Gettysburg
Commanded: 3rd Division of the Second (Hancock’s) Corps.
General Information
Brief Biography: Alexander Hays (July 8, 1819 – May 5, 1864) was a Union Army general in the American Civil War, killed in the Battle of the Wilderness. USMA 1844. Hays was wounded during the Seven Days. Promoted to general, he commanded the 3d Division of the 2nd Corps at Gettysburg. As such, his unit was one of those assailed by “Pickett’s Charge.” A soldier recalled of Hays at Gettysburg: “When the smoke cleared, Hays, who was unhurt but had had two horses shot out from under him, kissed his aide in the exhilaration of the moment, grabbed a captured Rebel battle flag and riding down the division’s line dragged it in the dirt.” Hays was a native of Franklin, Pennsylvania.
Bronze Portraits at Gettysburg
Brig. Gen. Francis Barlow – Brig. Gen. John Buford – John Burns – Brig. Gen. Samuel W. Crawford – Father William Corby – Brig. Gen. Abner Doubleday – Brig. Gen. John Geary – Brig. Gen. John Gibbon – Brig. Gen. George S. Greene – Brig. Gen. Alexander Hays – Brig. Gen. Andrew A. Humphreys – Maj. Gen. John Reynolds – Brig. Gen. Gouverneur K. Warren – Brig. Gen. James S. Wadsworth – Brig. Gen. Alexander Webb – Maj. William Wells
