Marcellus Jones facts for kids
Marcellus Ephraim Jones (born June 5, 1830 – died October 9, 1900) was an important soldier in the American Civil War. He is famous for firing the very first shot at the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863. This battle was one of the most important events of the war.
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Early Life of Marcellus Jones
Marcellus Jones was born in a town called Pawlet, in Vermont, in 1830. His parents were Ephraim and Sophia Jones. In 1858, when he was 28 years old, he moved to Illinois. He lived in a place called Danby, which is now known as Glen Ellyn. He lived there until the American Civil War began. When President Abraham Lincoln asked for volunteers to join the army, Jones answered the call.
Marcellus Jones in the Civil War
Marcellus Jones joined the army on August 5, 1861. He became part of Company E in the 8th Illinois Cavalry. He quickly moved up in rank. On December 5, 1862, he became a second lieutenant. Then, on July 4, 1864, he was promoted to first lieutenant. Finally, on October 10, 1864, he became a captain. The governor of Illinois, Richard Yates, signed all of his promotion papers.
The First Shot at Gettysburg
On July 1, 1863, a very important event happened at Gettysburg. Marcellus Jones was in charge of a lookout post for his regiment. This post was on the Chambersburg Pike, a main road. The Confederate army, led by Robert E. Lee, was using this road to march towards Gettysburg.
Around 7:30 in the morning, Jones saw a large cloud of dust in the distance. This dust meant that the Confederate soldiers were getting close. At that moment, Jones borrowed a special rifle called a carbine from Corporal Levi S. Shafer. He used a fence rail to help him aim steadily. Then, he fired a shot at "an officer on a white or light gray horse." This single shot was the very first of about one million shots fired during the three-day Battle of Gettysburg.
Honoring Marcellus Jones
In 1886, a special memorial was placed where Marcellus Jones fired that first shot. Jones himself was there for the dedication of this memorial. The memorial still stands today on the north side of U.S. Route 30 (Chambersburg Pike), at the intersection of Knoxlyn Road. It reminds everyone of his important role in starting the Battle of Gettysburg.
Death
Marcellus E. Jones passed away on October 9, 1900. He was buried at Wheaton Cemetery in Wheaton, Illinois.
