Who was General W. E. "Grumble" Jones

 

General W. E. "Grumble" Jones was a Confederate cavalry commander during the American Civil War. He was known for his irascible temper and profanity-laced tirades, which earned him his nickname.

During the Jones-Imboden Raid into the Little Kanawha Valley in April 1863, Jones led a force of 2,100 men to attack the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad at Rowlesburg, Virginia. His objective was to disrupt Union supply lines and weaken federal control in the region.

Jones's attack was initially successful. He captured the town of Rowlesburg and destroyed a portion of the railroad track. However, he was unable to capture the B&O bridge over the Cheat River, which was defended by a Union garrison. Jones was also forced to withdraw after Union reinforcements arrived.

Despite the setback at Rowlesburg, Jones's raid was a success in other ways. He destroyed a significant amount of Union property and caused widespread disruption to the Union supply system. He also captured over 700 Union prisoners.

Jones's raid was a significant event in the Civil War in West Virginia. It was the largest Confederate raid into the state during the war, and it caused significant damage to the Union war effort.

In addition to his role in the Jones-Imboden Raid, Jones also served in other notable Confederate campaigns, including the Battle of Gettysburg and the Shenandoah Valley campaign. He was wounded in action on several occasions, and he was eventually captured by Union forces in 1864.

Jones was a controversial figure, but he was also a skilled and courageous cavalry commander. His raid into the Little Kanawha Valley was a significant event in the Civil War in West Virginia, and it helped to boost the morale of the Confederate army.