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John Coffee Hays | |
|---|---|
 John Coffee Hays, circa 1857 | |
| Nicknames |
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| Born | (1817-01-28)January 28, 1817 Wilson County, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Died | April 21, 1883(1883-04-21) (aged 66) Piedmont, California, U.S. |
| Place of burial | |
| Allegiance | |
| Branch | Texas Ranger Division |
| Years of service | joined Rangers in 1836 |
| Rank | |
| Commands | 1st Mounted Texas Rifles Washoe Regiment |
| Battles / wars | Texas Revolution Texas–Indian Wars |
| Other work | Sheriff, politician |
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John Coffee Hays (January 28, 1817 – April 21, 1883)[1] was an Americanmilitary officer. A captain in theTexas Rangers and a military officer of theRepublic of Texas, Hays served in several armed conflicts from 1836 to 1848, including against theComanche Empire in Texas and during theMexican–American War.
John Hays was born at Little Cedar Lick,Wilson County, Tennessee. His father Harmon A. Hays fought in theWar of 1812, naming his son for a relative by marriage, ColonelJohn Coffee.[2]
In 1836, at the age of 19, Hays migrated to theRepublic of Texas.Sam Houston appointed him as a member of a company ofTexas Rangers because he knew the Hays family from his Tennessee years. He met with Houston and delivered a letter of recommendation from then-PresidentAndrew Jackson, his great uncle. Rachel Jackson was Hays' great aunt of the Donelson family, a relative of his mother.
In the following years, Hays led the Rangers on a campaign against theComanche in Texas, and succeeded in weakening their power. He rode with a Lipan Chief named Flacco who led the charge into every battle with him. The duo led and inspired the Rangers. In 1840Tonkawa Chief Placido and 13 scouts joined with the Rangers to track down a large Comanche war party,[3] culminating at theBattle of Plum Creek.[4] He would then led another group of Texas Rangers by himself in a gunfight that became known asBattle of Walker's Creek.[5]
Later, Hays commanded the force against theinvasion from Mexico of 1842. During the Mexican–American War (1846–1848), Hays commanded theFirst Regiment of Texas Rangers at theBattle of Monterrey, established six companies along the northern and western frontier of Texas. He then commanded the Second of Texas Rangers inWinfield Scott'sMexico City campaign. Later, while fighting under Gen.Joseph Lane, who wasdefending the American line of communications with Vera Cruz, Hays defeated superior numbers of Mexican cavalry at theAffair at Galaxara Pass and Mexican guerillas in theSkirmish at Matamoros and theaction of Sequalteplan.[6][7][8] The Rangers excelled during this conflict, gaining nationwide fame. Hays was the first to use the NavyColt Paterson five-shot revolver. He expedited Samuel Walker to meet with Samuel Colt which led to the design of the legendaryColt Walker six-shot revolver used in the Old West. HAys received Walker Pistol #1001; a second pistol he aquired in 1853 was a Colt .36 Model 1851 # 98229[9]
On April 29, 1847, in the Magnolia Hotel, Hays married Susan Calvert, a descendant of George Calvert, First Baron Baltimore, inSeguin, Texas, where he had his home.[10][11]
The Comanche held Hays in a high position of infamy and notoriety, given their studded past. Upon the birth of Hays' first son inCalifornia,Chief Buffalo Hump sent the Hays family a gift, a silver cup engraved "Buffalo Hump Jr," implying that John was not the Father.[12]
When son John Caperton Hays married Anna McMullin inSan Francisco, two Texas Ranger legacies were combined. Her father, Captain John McMullin, was one of Hays' closest friends; he had followed him to California.
Jack Hays' brother wasConfederate Brigadier GeneralHarry T. Hays ofNew Orleans. Their sister Sarah "Sallie" Hays Hammond was the mother ofJohn Hays Hammond.[13]John Hays Hammond, Jr., was an apprentice toThomas Edison and worked withNikola Tesla; he was on the board of directors forRCA.
In 1849, Hays was appointed by the United States government as the USIndian agent for theGila River country in New Mexico and Arizona.
The same year Hays joined the migration toCalifornia, leading a party ofForty Niners from New York that traveled in wagons to California from Texas. This party pioneered a shortcut onCooke's Wagon Road that saved a long journey to the south. That improved route became known as theTucson Cutoff. Hays was elected sheriff ofSan Francisco County in 1850, and later became active in politics. In 1853, he was appointed US surveyor-general for California.[14][4]
Hays was one of the earliest residents of the city ofOakland. In the following years, he amassed a considerable fortune through real estate and ranching enterprises. In 1860, while inVirginia City, Nevada, on business, he heard the news of theFirst Battle of Pyramid Lake. He commanded a force of volunteer soldiers at theSecond Battle of Pyramid Lake.
During theCivil War, Hays retired from military involvement.
In 1876, Hays was elected as a delegate to theDemocratic Party national convention, which nominatedSamuel J. Tilden for thepresidency of the United States.[4]
John Hays died in California on April 21, 1883, and his remains were interred atMountain View Cemetery in Oakland.[4]
John C. Hays is the namesake ofHays County, Texas.[15] "Hays" is etched in his honor, on the side of the Hall of State, Dallas, Texas.
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