Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 3.djvu/663

Rh division, were the first to charge upon and capture the first line of intrenchments of the enemy, in an open field beyond Wilderness church. On account of his disability the brigade was commanded next day by Col. T. S. Garnett until the latter was killed, when Col. A. S. Vandeventer succeeded him.

Major-General Samuel Jones was born in Virginia in 1820, and was graduated at West Point, with promotion to a lieutenancy in the artillery, in 1841. He served on the Maine frontier, during the boundary dispute, until 1843; in Florida, 1845-46; and from 1846 to 1851 was on duty at the United States military academy, as assistant professor of mathematics and instructor of infantry and of artillery. Then having been promoted first lieutenant First artillery, he was on various duty, at New Orleans, at Fort McHenry, on the Texas frontier, etc., with promotion to captain in 1853, until November, 1858, when he became assistant to the judge-advocate of the army. He remained in that position, at Washington, until April, 1861. On entering the Confederate service he was commissioned major, corps of artillery, C. S. A., and with promotion to lieutenant-colonel, was appointed assistant adjutant-general of the Virginia forces. During the organization of Beauregard's army and the battle of First Manassas, he served as chief of artillery and ordnance, and his services were gratefully acknowledged by the general commanding. Promotion to colonel was accorded him during this service, and he was promoted brigadier-general to date from the day of victory. He was on duty in the Potomac district, in command of a brigade of Georgia regiments subsequently under George T. Anderson, until January, 1862, when he was put in command of the army of Pensacola, relieving General Bragg. On March 3d he assumed command of the department of Alabama and West Florida, with headquarters at Mobile. In April, being promoted brigadier-general, he was assigned to command of a division of the army at Corinth under General Van Dorn, including the brigades of Rust, Maury and Roane, and in June he was put in command of Hindman's division. Later he was in charge at Chattanooga, and in September was stationed at Knoxville in command of the department of East Tennessee. From December 4, 1862, until March 4, 1864, he commanded