William Edmondson Grumble Jones

<p> William Edmondson Grumble Jones (b. 1824) stands among the most notable Southwest Virginians to fight in the Civil War. The Washington County native graduated from Emory & Henry College and West Point. As a lieutenant in the Old Army between service in Oregon and Texas he watched helplessly as his wife drowned during the wreck of the steamship Independence. He resigned his commission in 1857.</p><p> Resuming his military career as a Confederate officer he mentored the legendary John Singleton Mosby. His many battles included a clash with George Armstrong Custer near Gettysburg. An internal dispute with his commanding general J.E.B. Stuart resulted in Jones's court-martial conviction in 1863. Following a series of campaigns in East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia he returned to the Shenandoah Valley and died in battle in 1864 leaving a mixed legacy.</p>