Robert Harris Jones

Born in South Carolina, he spent his youth in Alabama, and began in business as a carriage maker, first at Oak Bower (1851), then Cartersville (1853), Georgia.

In August 1861, at Silver Creek (near Rome), Georgia, he formed a company of troops known as the Fireside Defenders, and was their Captain. When the company was mustered into service as Company G, 22nd Georgia Infantry, Jones was elected Colonel of the Regiment. He was in command and wounded at Seven Pines, in action in the Seven Days, wounded again at Malvern Hill.

He took command of the Brigade after General Wright was wounded, but was himself shot in the stomach and right lung in action at Sharpsburg on 17 September.

He resigned his commission on 22 April 1863 because of disability from wounds.

He was active in Veterans and civic groups, a Methodist preacher, and buggy maker in Cartersville, Georgia.

Sources: Fireside Defenders - Co. G, 22nd Georgia Infantry - a brief history exhibit online from the SCV Camp 469 with details from GGGrandson John H Cobb, Jr;
The 22nd Georgia web page of Bill Cherepy - with documents, rosters, and many other details about the Jones brothers and the regiment; and
Jones family Genealogical data (gedcom) online [gone 2/2006] at RootsWeb by Lester G. Jones - written by Bill Cherepy from sources documented below the data.

The photo above is courtesy of Bill Cherepy, and was also published in Military Images magazine, January/February 1986.

9/22/1828; Abbeville, SC

9/1/1897; Cartersville, GA; burial in Oak Hill Cemetery, Cartersville, GA