Resident of Wauseon, Ohio; born in Ellicottville, N.Y., the son of Harvey B. Hayes, a cousin of President Rutherford B. Hayes; moved to Fulton County, Ohio, operating his own business and serving in the city council and at the outbreak of the Civil War was an officer in the Northwestern Rifles, being transferred later to the 44th Illinois Volunteers. In the summer of 1862 he led in the recruitment of Fulton County men to form the 100th Ohio Regiment in in 1863 served as lieutenant colonel of that regiment. During Sept. of the same year he was captured and sent to Libby Prison where he was confined for 11 months, later being sent to Belle Isle and Andersonville. While at Libby he helped to build the famous underground passage through which a number of Union men escaped. Unfortunately he was stricken with rheumatism and was unable to avail himself of this chance for freedom. In Jan., 1865 he received the rank of Colonel and later Brigadier General. After the war he was sent to Wilmington, Del., in charge of confiscated property and later moved to New York City and New Jersey where he became involved in a successful commission merchant business.
From the description of Brigadeer-General E. L. Hayes collection, ca. 1862-1865. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 660171512
