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WHITE HOUSE HEROES, PART II

© John S. Cooper

Rutherford Birchard Hayes, 19th President of the United States (1877-1881), was a genuine war hero. Entering the army as a major during the Civil War, he rose to the command of his regiment, then his brigade and his division, and was a major general at the war’s end. He took part in over fifty battles and skirmishes, was wounded several times, once seriously. He had his horse shot out from under him at least four times. His record as a brave and able combat leader helped his political career after the war, which eventually led to the White House.

One of his sons was also a genuine war hero. James Webb Hayes, known as Webb Cook Hayes, received the Medal of Honor for his actions in combat. Webb’s entire life was an interesting adventure in several different fields.

Webb Cook Hayes was born on March 20, 1856 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He did not have what you would call normal childhood. For four years, starting when he was five years old, Webb spent five or six months every winter in the winter encampment of his father’s regiment, usually in West Virginia. Growing up in this exciting environment could not help but affect Webb.

Like his older brother, Webb graduated from Cornell University. When his father became President in 1877, Webb became his private secretary. In those days, a President had to provide and pay for his own staff. Webb was described as “dark-haired, tall and clever.” He was twenty-one when his father entered the White House, and was the closest of all the Hayes children to his parents.

The Hayes family was wealthy. In fact, they were the wealthiest of any of the 19th century occupants of the White House. They lived well, but never extravagantly. Still, President Hayes paid for four secretaries in his office. Of the four, Webb Hayes was the closest to the President, being with him nearly at all times. He was often armed, acting also as a guard to his father.

Many of Webb’s duties were social in nature. As a person close to the President, and unmarried, he was often called upon to escort important single ladies at White House functions. It was also his duty to tactfully end parties that had gone on too long and suggest to guests that it was time to leave. His charm made this difficult function look easy, and he was never known to have offended any guest.

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