Confederate Memorial Day

Since today is Confederate Memorial Day I thought I'd tell you about my Great Great Grandfather on my mama's side, Benjamin Travis Hayes. He was born August 31, 1829 in Pickens, SC and died October 16, 1864 in Staunton, VA. He married Elizabeth Hood on January 12, 1850. They had six children, including Daniel Travis Hayes, my Great Grandfather. He was a sharecropper and preacher before the Civil War. He never owned a slave. To him the Civil War was about one thing only -the defense of his home and native state. He was first part of Company H, 4th SC Infantry under Capt. Garvin. Later he would serve in Regiment B, 37th VAVCB, Anderson District. He died of lockjaw from a musket wound and was buried in Staunton, VA. His units fought in engagements in Tennessee and Virginia. The wound that would eventually kill him was incurred at the Battle of Fisher's Hill near Strasburg. We have copies of several letters written to his wife while he was away. He loved his wife and children dearly and wanted to keep them safe from the ravages of war. He wrote longingly of home but was determined to do his duty as he saw it. In one letter he wrote, "for independence we will have shed the last drop of our blood." Benjamin Hayes left his home and family to defend liberty. He fought under often cruel conditions and ultimately gave his life at the age of 35. Today we honor those brave souls like my ancestor Benjamin Travis Hayes who endured loneliness, deprivation, cold, and hunger to do what they thought was right. May we all follow their examples of devotion and sacrifice.