Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 3.djvu/665

Rh organization of Stuart's brigade, and in the spring of 1862 was intrusted by Stuart with important duties in watching the enemy from the Blue ridge to the Potomac. He was watchful and vigorous and made the enemy feel his presence. Soon afterward, being displaced by a regimental election, he was assigned to the Seventh regiment, Robertson's brigade. Rejoining Stuart in August he was distinguished in the Second Manassas campaign, his regiment fighting splendidly at Brandy Station, and winning commendation on several other occasions. He participated in the raid around McClellan's army following the battle of Sharpsburg, and on November 8th, having been promoted brigadier-general, was assigned to command of Robertson's, or the "Laurel brigade," largely composed of the men who followed Ashby in the valley. December 29th he was assigned to command of the Valley district, including his brigade and all other troops operating in that region, being selected for this post by Stonewall Jackson. With the co-operation of General Imboden he made, in April and May, 1863, a very successful raid upon the Baltimore & Ohio railroad west of Cumberland, destroying an immense amount of public and railroad property. Then joining Stuart with his splendid brigade, he bore the first shock, and both in morning and evening the brunt of battle, in the famous cavalry fight of Brandy Station, June 9, 1863, his brigade ending the fight with more horses and more and better small-arms than at the beginning, and capturing two regimental colors, a battery of three pieces and about 250 prisoners. During the advance of Lee into Pennsylvania, Jones, who had been pronounced by Stuart "the best outpost officer" in the cavalry, was depended upon mainly to cover the rear and flank of the army. He defeated a Federal cavalry regiment at Fairfield, Pa., and after the retreat of Lee was begun pushed forward rapidly to protect the wagon trains of Ewell's division. Hurrying on with his staff on the night of July 4th, he found Emack's Maryland company with one gun, holding at bay a Federal division, with only half the train gone by. He joined in the desperate fight in person and with his companions until his command was scattered by a charge of cavalry. Separated from his followers, he made his way alone to Williamsport and organized all the men he could gather in the confusion for the defense of the place before the