Marcellus Ephraim Jones (June 5, 1830 – October 9, 1900) is reported as being the soldier who fired the first shot at the Battle of Gettysburg (1863).
Early life
Jones was born in Pawlet, Vermont, a son of Ephraim and Sophia (Page) Jones. In 1858, Jones moved to DuPage County, Illinois. He lived in Danby (now Glen Ellyn), until the American Civil War when Abraham Lincoln called for volunteers.
Civil War
Jones enlisted in Company E of the 8th Illinois Cavalry[1] on August 5, 1861. He was commissioned a second lieutenant on December 5, 1862, first lieutenant July 4, 1864, and captain on October 10, 1864. All three commissions were signed by Illinois Governor Richard Yates.
On July 1, 1863, at Gettysburg, Jones commanded one of the regiment's sentry posts on the Chambersburg Pike, the road Robert E. Lee's Confederate army used to march from Cashtown to Gettysburg. About 7:30 a.m., Jones noticed a cloud of dust on the road to the west, indicating that the Confederates were approaching. At that point, Jones borrowed Corporal Levi S. Shafer's carbine, aimed it with the assistance of a fence rail, and fired a shot at "an officer on a white or light gray horse."
Honors
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In 1886 a memorial was placed at the location where Jones fired the first shot of the battle. Jones was present for the dedication of the memorial, which remains on the north side of U.S. Route 30 (Chambersburg Pike) at the intersection of Knoxlyn Road.
Death
Jones died on October 9, 1900, and was buried at Wheaton Cemetery in Wheaton, Illinois.