Roger Jones (1789–July 15, 1852) was an officer in the

United States Marine Corps The United States Marine Corps (USMC), also referred to as the United States Marines, is the maritime land force service branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for conducting expeditionary and amphibious operations through ...

and

United States Army The United States Army (USA) is the land warfare, land military branch, service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight Uniformed services of the United States, U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army o ...

who was the longest-serving Adjutant General of the U.S. Army in U.S. history, holding the position from 1825 to 1852.

Family and career

He was a central figure in the distinguished Jones military family with relatives holding commissions in the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Mexican War, Civil War, World War I, and World War II. His brother Thomas ap Catesby Jones won distinction in the US Navy. Of his thirteen children many went on to serve in the military in both Union and Confederate forces. His son Catesby ap Roger Jones was the commander of the ironclad CSS ''Virginia'' at Hampton Roads on the second day of battle with the USS ''Monitor''. His son Charles Lucian Jones served in the Confederate navy on the ironclad ''Tennessee''. His son, also named Roger Jones, served as Inspector General of the U.S. Army from 1888 to 1889. Jones was appointed a

second lieutenant Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces, comparable to NATO OF-1 rank. Australia The rank of second lieutenant existed in the military forces of the Australian colonies and Australian Army until 1 ...

in the United States Marine Corps on January 29, 1809 and was promoted to

first lieutenant First lieutenant is a commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces; in some forces, it is an appointment. The rank of lieutenant has different meanings in different military formations, but in most forces it is sub-divided into a ...

later that year. He resigned in July 1812 to accept a commission as a

captain Captain is a title, an appellative for the commanding officer of a military unit; the supreme leader of a navy ship, merchant ship, aeroplane, spacecraft, or other vessel; or the commander of a port, fire or police department, election precinct, e ...

of artillery in the United States Army. He received brevets to major and lieutenant colonel for his services in the

War of 1812 The War of 1812 (18 June 1812 – 17 February 1815) was fought by the United States of America and its indigenous allies against the United Kingdom and its allies in British North America, with limited participation by Spain in Florida. It ...

. He was appointed

adjutant general An adjutant general is a military chief administrative officer. France In Revolutionary France, the was a senior staff officer, effectively an assistant to a general officer. It was a special position for lieutenant-colonels and colonels in staf ...

with the rank of

colonel Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations. In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge ...

in August 1818, and in March 1825 became Adjutant General of the U.S. Army. He received brevets to colonel in 1824, to

brigadier general Brigadier general or Brigade general is a military rank used in many countries. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries. The rank is usually above a colonel, and below a major general or divisional general. When appointed t ...

in 1832, and to

major general Major general (abbreviated MG, maj. gen. and similar) is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. The disappearance of the "sergeant" in the title explains the apparent confusion of a ...

in 1848. He died in 1852 and is buried in the

Congressional Cemetery The Congressional Cemetery, officially Washington Parish Burial Ground, is a historic and active cemetery located at 1801 E Street, SE, in Washington, D.C., on the west bank of the Anacostia River. It is the only American "cemetery of national m ...

References

External links

* 1789 births 1852 deaths Adjutants general of the United States Army United States Army personnel of the War of 1812 Burials at the Congressional Cemetery People from Westmoreland County, Virginia United States Army colonels Military personnel from Virginia United States Marine Corps officers {{US-mil-hist-stub