Brig. Gen. William E. "Grumble" Jones, C.S.A.
N 36° 46.082 W 081° 47.239
17S E 429734 N 4069429
General Jones was born in the Glade Springs area of Washington County Virginia, and was killed during the Civil War Battle of the Piedmont. He is buried in the church cemetery near this marker.
Waymark Code: WM152T
Location: Virginia, United States
Date Posted: 01/17/2007
Views: 133
William E. Jones was born in 1824 in Washington County, Virginia. He attended nearby Emory and Henry College and went on to graduate from the United States Military Academy at West Point. He was commissioned a brevet second lieutenant in the U.S. Mounted Rifles serving with the cavalry fighting Indians in the west until he resigned his commission in 1857 to become a farmer. His nickname, "Grumble", reflects his irritable disposition. Jones fought during the Civil War and was often at odds with General J. E. B. Stuart, in fact Stuart once court-martialed Jones for insulting him. General Robert E. Lee stepped in and transferred Jones to West Virginia and eventially to Tennessee. In May of 1864, Jones assumed command of the Confederate forces in the Shenandoah Valley who were defending against the advance of Maj. Gen. David Hunter who was advancing towards Lynchburg, Virginia. In the Battle of Piedmont on June 5, 1864, Jones was shot in the head and killed while leading a charge against a superior attacking force. His body was returned to his native Washington County, Virginia and is buried in the Old Glade Springs Presbyterian Church.
This historic marker is located on Route 11 in front of the Old Glade Springs Presbyterian Chuch. The marker and church are located adjacent to Interstate 81 and can be reached by using Exit 29.
The text of the marker reads:
"BRIG. GEN. WILLIAM E. "GRUMBLE" JONES, C.S.A.
"Brig. Gen. William Edmondson “Grumble” Jones was born nearby on 9 May 1824, Educated at Emory and Henry College and the U. S. Military Academy at West Point, Jones served on the Frontier from 1848 until he resigned in 1857. He organized the Washington Mounted Rifles as it captain when Virginia seceded in 1861, became colonel of the 1st and then the 7th Virginia Cavalry, and was promoted to brigadier general in Sept. 1862. Jones was killed at the Battle of Piedmont on 5 June 1864 and buried here in the Old Glade Springs Presbyterian Cemetery."
Marker Number: K-51
Marker Title: Brig. Gen. William E. "Grumble" Jones, C.S.A,
Marker Location: U. S. Route 11, .5 mile south of Monroe Road
County or Independent City: Washington County
Web Site: [Web Link]
Marker Program Sponsor: Virginia Department of Historic Resources - 1998
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