Brig. Gen. William E. "Grumble" Jones, C.S.A.
N 36° 46.082 W 081° 47.239
17S E 429734 N 4069429
Quick Description: 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.
Location: Virginia, United States
Date Posted: 1/17/2007 10:06:36 AM
Waymark Code: WM152T
Views: 131
Long Description: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."
