A Civil War Biography

Patrick Henry Jones

Jones was born 20 November 1830 in County Westmeath, Ireland. His family emigrated to the US in 1840, when Jones was 10, settling on a farm in Cattaraugus County, New York. Deciding on a legal career Jones read the law, was admitted to the bar, and established a law practice in Ellicottville, New York.

When the war came Jones enlisted in the 37th New York, the "Irish Rifles" and was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant on 7 July 1861. Although present at First Bull Run, the 37th was held in reserve and saw no action. Jones was promoted to 1st lieutenant and adjutant on 4 November 1861, then major on 21 January 1862. The 37th was attached to the 3rd Brigade 3rd Division of Samuel P. Heintzelman's III Corps during the Peninsula campaign and saw action at Williamsburg, Seven Pines, and during the Seven Days. The 37th also saw action at Second Bull Run, then attached to the 3rd Brigade 1st Division III Corps.

On 8 October 1862 Jones was commissioned colonel of the 154th New York, the "Hardtack regiment". The 154th, attached to the 1st Brigade 2nd Division of Oliver O. Howard's XI Corps, was surprised and routed on 2 May 1863 at Chancellorsville. Jones was wounded and captured. Exchanged in October 1863, Jones. along with the XI Corps, was transferred to Tennessee. The 154th was present in Chattanooga but did not take part in the assault on Missionary Ridge in November 1863. In the spring of 1864 the XI and XII Corps were combined to form the XX Corps. Jones commanded the 2nd Brigade 2nd Division XX Corps during the Atlanta campaign, the March to the Sea, and the Carolina campaign.

Jones was promoted to brigadier general on 18 April 1865 to date from 6 December 1864. He resigned his commission on 17 June 1865 and returned to Ellicottville. He was appointed clerk of the New York Court of Appeals. In 1869 President Ulysses S. Grant appointed Jones postmaster of New York City. He resigned in 1873 then was elected register of New York in 1874. In 1877 he returned to his law practice. Jones died 23 July 1900 at Port Richmond on Staten Island, New York.

Return to Biography Index