He enlisted in the 56th VA Infantry, Co. B (the “Mecklenburg Spartans”) on July 29, 1861 in Richmond. He was wounded at Frazier’s Farm, VA on June 30, 1862. Jones was promoted to Captain on January 9, 1863, and participated in Pickett’s Charge at Gettysburg on July 3. 1863. By the time of the surrender at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865, Jones was commander of what was left of his regiment.
He moved to Arkansas where he taught in a female college and served in the state legislature. In 1885, Jones moved to Idaho where he became a newspaper editor, establishing the Blackfoot News in 1887. He received his A.M. degree from R-MC in 1894. It is
indicated as having been received "under the old law existing when his
A.B. was taken." This meant that the recipient had graduated with honors
and pursued a rigorous independent study for at least three years,
demonstrating proficiency to the faculty. He was commissioned lieutenant-colonel by the Idaho governor in 1898 and served in the Philippines during the Spanish-American War. He died November 21, 1901 and is buried in Blackfoot, ID in Grove City Cemetery.
