James Morrison Hawes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Morrison Hawes
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| Born | January 7, 1824 Lexington, Kentucky |
| Died | November 22, 1889 (aged 65) Covington, Kentucky |
| Place of burial |
Highland Cemetery, Fort Mitchell, Kentucky
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| Allegiance | United States of America Confederate States of America |
| Service/ |
United States Army Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1854–1861 (USA) 1861–1865 (CSA) |
| Rank |  Captain (USA)Brigadier General (CSA) |
| Unit | 2nd U.S. Dragoons |
| Commands held | Chief of Cavalry, Western Department (CSA) |
| Battles/wars | Mexican–American War |
| Relations | Father, Richard Hawes Uncle, Albert Gallatin Hawes |
| Other work | Hardware merchant |
James Morrison Hawes (born January 7, 1824 – died November 22, 1889) was an important military leader. He became a brigadier general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. This was a big war fought in America between 1861 and 1865.
Contents
Early Life and Education
James M. Hawes was born in Lexington, Kentucky. His parents were Richard and Hettie Nicholas Hawes. The Hawes family was well-known in politics. James's father, Richard Hawes, and his uncle, Albert Gallatin Hawes, were both members of the United States House of Representatives.
Even though his family was involved in politics, James Hawes chose a different path. On July 1, 1841, he joined the United States Military Academy. This famous school trains future military officers. Four years later, he graduated as a second lieutenant in the dragoons. Dragoons were soldiers who rode horses and fought on foot.
Serving the United States
After graduating, Hawes was sent to help with the occupation of Texas. Soon, a war started with Mexico. Hawes took part in several important battles. These included the Siege of Veracruz, the Battle of Contreras, the Battle of Churubusco, and the Battle of Molino del Rey. He fought bravely, and because of his excellent service, he was given a special honor. He was promoted to first lieutenant as a "brevet" rank. A brevet rank is a temporary higher rank given for good service, but without the higher pay.
After the U.S.-Mexican War, Hawes became a teacher at the U.S. Military Academy. He taught subjects like how to fight on foot (infantry tactics) and how to fight on horseback (cavalry tactics). He also taught mathematics. In 1850, he traveled to France to study advanced military strategies.
When he returned to the United States in 1852, Hawes was stationed in Texas. He also served in the Utah expedition in 1857 and 1858. He helped calm down problems in an area called "Bleeding Kansas." This was a time when there was a lot of fighting about whether Kansas would allow slavery.
On February 3, 1857, Hawes married Maria Southgate in Cincinnati, Ohio. They had 10 children together.
Joining the Confederacy
When the American Civil War began in 1861, James Hawes left the U.S. Army. He decided to join the Confederate States Army. He became a captain in the 2nd Kentucky Cavalry. He quickly moved up in rank. On June 16, 1861, he was promoted to major. Just ten days later, he became a colonel. Later, he joined the regular Confederate Army as a major.
Records show that Hawes was involved in a charge on Charleston, West Virginia, on July 4, 1861. He also helped defend a bridge near Bowling Green on September 18, 1861.
On March 5, 1862, Hawes was promoted to brigadier general. This promotion was requested by General Albert Sidney Johnston. After this, Hawes became the leader of the cavalry (horseback soldiers) for the Confederate Western Department.
After the Battle of Shiloh, Hawes asked to be moved to a different command. He was then assigned to a group of soldiers led by John C. Breckinridge. During the Battle of Shiloh, Kentucky's Confederate governor, George W. Johnson, was killed. The Confederate government of Kentucky then chose Hawes's father, Richard, to be the new governor.
In October 1862, General Hawes was sent to Little Rock, Arkansas. There, he led a cavalry group under General Theophilus H. Holmes. Later, he fought in battles in Louisiana, including the Battle of Milliken's Bend and the Battle of Young's Point in June 1863. He also helped defend Vicksburg, Mississippi, during the Siege of Vicksburg. He finished his Confederate military service in Galveston, Texas.
Life After the War
After the Civil War ended, Hawes and his wife went back to their home in Paris, Kentucky. Their home had been damaged during the war. In 1866, they moved to Covington, Kentucky. There, James Hawes became a hardware merchant, selling tools and other metal goods. He chose not to follow his family's tradition of a political career.
Later in his life, Hawes was known for decorating the graves of Confederate soldiers on Confederate Memorial Day. James Hawes passed away at his home on November 22, 1889. His death was caused by old age and a brain inflammation called cerebritis. In January 1925, a group called the United Daughters of the Confederacy honored Hawes. They gave him a service cross medal, which his grandson accepted for him.
