Madison was the home of Egbert J. Jones, but to Limestone belongs the honor of his birth and early career. He was the scion of a family of humble fortune, who came to Limestone at an early date, the father being a farmer. With but limited educational advantages, he at last succeeded in graduating in the law school of the University of Virginia. This was about 1842, and ho began the practice at once in Athens. In 1844 he represented Limestone in the legislature. When the Mexican war obliged the federal government to call for ten new regiments, he raised a company for the 13th infantry, of which R. M. Echols was colonel, Jones M. Withers lieutenant colonel, and Jere. Clemens major. Returning, he practiced his profession in Athens till 1853, when he came to Huntsville. Here he was the partner of Hon. James Robinson, and in the midst of a large business, when the late war began. He was chosen captain of one of the first companies that left Madison, and which, at Dalton, in April 1861, became a part of the 4th Alabama infantry, of which he was elected colonel. The regiment went to Virginia. It was just before the battle of Manassas that the officers and men of six of the ten companies petitioned him to resign. This was prompted by a variety of petty causes, too trifling to be remembered, but easily surmised when the character of citizen soldiery is considered. His response was truly noble. It displayed not the slightest emotion save that of regret that he had failed to satisfy their expectations; concluding by saying that he would resign after the approaching battle, if they continued to desire it. After that struggle, if there was one man idolized by the 4th Alabama, it was Egbert Jones. Amid the shock and surge of the conflict, he sat with his leg carelessly thrown across the pommel of his saddle, and gave his orders with perfect composure. The 4th Alabama never forgot that immobile figure. It was towards the close of the day that he was struck by a minie ball, which entered the thigh near the hip, and ranged down the hollow of the bone to the knee. He survived several weeks, and died at Orange Court House, Va., aged 41 years. His remains were brought to Huntsville, where they met a public reception, and a numerous funeral concourse. Col. Jones was six feet three inches in highth, and well proportioned; with light hair, blue eyes, and Roman nose. His temperament was phlegmatic, but he was an industrious student. As a lawyer he was not quick, and as a speaker prosy; but he mastered his subject, and managed his cases with consummate tact. He married a daughter of Wm. Echols, a merchant of Huntsville, but she died a year after, and he was childless.

"Snatched, till too early, from that august Fume,
Which on the serene heights of silvered Age,
Waited with laureled hand."

Record	Events	Title	Source Website	Type	Created
Jones, Egbert J. - Page 1	Enlistment, Military Service, Other, People	US, Civil War Service Records (CMSR) - Confederate - Alabama, 1861-1865	Fold3	Image	Apr 4, 2007
EJJones.jpg			Fold3	Image	Nov 19, 2014

Egbert J. Jones

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